Laid off... NOW WHAT?

Like many people that are in similar position, I had no idea what I would do when I got laid off from my job. There is no handbook on how to get up after receiving that kind of a knockout punch.

I had this overwhelming sense of urgency to secure a job right away, but then I had to understand that it wasn’t going to happen quickly. I don't know what the future will hold, so I am appreciating my new role as a full-time dad.

While my wife works her tail off building her business, I realized that I needed to keep busy in order to maintain a healthy mental state. I still wake up early to get my workout in. I then wake the kids up and get them going for e-learning. I tidy up the house, do the dishes, do the grocery shopping and spend a few hours looking for work. I have done the home projects and I have been spending a lot of quality time with the kids.

It didn’t take me long to understand that during this uncertain and weird time, I need to soak it in and appreciate that I get to be with them right now.

A friend told me to enjoy this period in my life. I thought he was crazy, but I soon realized he was right. Yes, I need to find my new gig, but I am enjoying seeing my kids grow up right before my unemployed eyes.

I have been given the gift of taking care of my kids, teaching them, learning from them and being there for them. I have learned how to enjoy something that I never thought I would... fishing. See, my kids love it and I always dreaded it. I am simply not patient. I would find all the excuses not to take them.

Things are different now. We now go fishing everyday and I love it. I love that it's our time. I love that we use the time to just chat. I love that we get to teach each other. I love that times stands still.

Eventually, the call will come – a job offer and when that job comes calling, I will always remember this time that we got to spend. Well, I gotta stop typing cause it's time to go fishing.