How to Rebuild Your Self-Worth After a Layoff
Finding your confidence and steady ground when your career takes an unexpected turn.
Feeling Lost After a Layoff? Here’s How to Find Your Footing Again
A layoff can shake you to your core. It’s not just about losing a job. It can make you question your skills, your value, and even your future.
If you’ve been through it, you know the sting. One day you’re contributing, showing up, and planning for the next project. The next day, you’re packing your desk or logging off for the last time. It can feel so personal, even when it’s not.
I’ve been there, and I know how heavy it can feel.
First, give yourself permission to feel it
Layoffs trigger so many emotions: shock, anger, sadness, embarrassment, relief, or all of the above. It’s normal to feel like your world has been flipped upside down.
The temptation is to jump right into job applications to fix it fast, but if you skip the emotional processing, the hurt just lingers. Give yourself permission to feel it all. Cry, journal, talk it out, or just rest for a few days.
Remind yourself this doesn’t define you
Your worth isn’t tied to a job title or paycheck.
This is one of the hardest truths to sit with after a layoff, but your skills, energy, and presence are valuable no matter where you work.
Write down the strengths you know you bring to the table. Think about the times you’ve solved hard problems, supported your team, or brought fresh ideas forward. That value doesn’t disappear because of a company’s decision.
When I was working in cybersecurity, I struggled with this. I thought my worth came from how much I could deliver, how fast I could go, how many deals I could close or how much knowledge I had on the newest topic. It wasn’t until I stepped back after burning out that I realized how much I was letting my job define me. That experience taught me how important it is to value my energy and not just my output.
Reconnect with your energy
A layoff can leave your nervous system in overdrive and your energy field full of fear and “what ifs.” Before you rush into the next thing, spend some time grounding and clearing what you’re carrying.
Here’s a quick grounding exercise you can try right now:
Close your eyes and take three slow, deep breaths. (my current favorite is box breathing)
Picture roots growing from your feet down into the earth.
With each exhale, release any fear or tension you’re holding into the ground.
If you’re not sure where to start with your energy, I wrote this post about auric hygiene that can help you come back to your own energy.
Energy work was a huge part of my own healing process. It helped me release the weight of the layoff and reconnect with my own worth, and now it’s something I love to guide my clients through as well.
Lean into community and support
Isolation makes the shame louder. Reach out to friends, family, or even professional networks. Let people know what you’re going through. You might be surprised at how much others want to help and how quickly opportunities can come through connections.
One of the reasons I created The Bloom Collective was to offer a space where you don’t feel like you’re navigating it all alone. It’s a community where we welcome everyone and where you can learn from each other, share your experiences, and feel supported while you navigate whatever season you’re in.
If you want a space like that, we’d love to welcome you inside The Bloom Collective on Facebook.
If you need extra support, this is also a great time to book a session with someone who can help you rebuild your energy and perspective. (This is a big part of what I support clients with in my sessions.)
Take the next right step
You don’t need to have your entire career mapped out right now. Start with one small thing each day: update your resume, apply for one job, reach out to one contact.
Each step helps you rebuild momentum without overwhelming yourself.
If you’re ready to start looking again, my post on how to stay grounded and confident during the job hunt will give you tools to approach the process with a steady mindset.
What I’m learning
A layoff can feel like the end of the world, but it’s often the beginning of a new chapter you couldn’t have planned for.
What I’m learning is that when you take the time to process, reconnect with your worth, and care for your energy, the path forward becomes clearer. And from there, you can take the next step with more confidence and clarity.
If you’re in this place right now, please know you’re not alone. You will find your footing again. And you’ll come out of this stronger and more aligned than before.
Here’s an affirmation I leaned on during my own career transitions:
“I am worthy and valuable, and the right opportunity is making its way to me.”
And if you need extra support along the way, we’re here to be a resource and share from our own experiences. You don’t have to navigate this on your own!
Let’s Stay Connected ✨
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Energy has a way of showing us what we need. If this opened something for you, explore what’s next below.
With love and alignment,
Jess 🌿
Reiki Healer, Akashic Records Guide, and Founder of Vibrational Bloom
🌀 The Bloom Collective | 🌐 vibrationalbloom.com | 📱 @vibrationalbloom
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