Readjusting After Redundancy

[LondonGrimmer]

Firstly, I know I'm in an incredibly privileged position. I already feel guilty about this and have heard that I'm very lucky a lot from people.

I was made redundant a month ago. It was an amazing job which I enjoyed immensely, working with a brilliant team with lots of support. I was there six years, and had a real sense of belonging and purpose.

I don't actually need to work, and as we're having some building works coming up, and have two school-aged children, we've decided I should have the summer off and look for something to start in September-ish. So I'm not actively job seeking yet.

Is anyone else in a similar position and struggling to adjust? I do try and fill my days with housework/shopping/cooking and meeting up with friends. But some days I just feel lost and am starting to get down. It's so weird being out of routine and not having a proper structure.

Yes! Me! I left my job for other reasons and have three months before starting my new job.

So far I’ve been busy applying for roles but that’s come to an end as I’ve had an offer and I do wake up in the morning and wonder what the hell I’m going to do. It also really goes against the rhythm I set for myself and I still have that sense of urgency without anywhere to direct it.

I’ve spent some days seeing friends who aren’t working, I’m doing some prep for my new job and I plan to start going swimming regularly.

Hi @Applecrumble32 That's great you have a new job to look forward to and start planning for - congratulations!

I think I'd feel differently if I'd chosen to leave, and had a job lined up. I actually started looking last night and have seen one that looks brilliant, but they want someone to start in July. I'm going to contact them and ask if they'd keep me in mind for anything that might come up September onwards. They seem like a small, friendly CIC so right up my street.

It's so weird adjusting to having the flexibility to do whatever you want most days, isn't it?

@LondonGrimmer I know what you mean- I left in-part through choice but also necessity because of a difficult situation at work. If it hadn’t been for that I wouldn’t have left so I’m still recovering from the shock. Applying for jobs, being proactive to solve the problem was my way of trying to recover.

Now I have the contract signed I do feel a little lost. I also have feelings of guilt that I should be doing something for my career rather than enjoying this break. The change in rhythm is going to take some time to adjust to I think!

I like the mantra "rest is productive". It's counter-intuitive in this era unfortunately, but resting now will mean you're going to perform better when you start in three months' time, I'm sure of it 😊

With two children at school and building works this summer it just doesn't feel doable to start a new job yet. I need to feel productive and useful though, so will continue to do the volunteering I've done for a long time at a local school and the library.