The Push You Didn't Ask For (But Maybe Needed)

There’s nothing quite like having the rug pulled out from under you to make you question everything. If you’ve recently been laid off, are worried you’re next, or are stuck in a job that feels more like a slow suffocation than a career, I want you to know something: You are not alone.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the people impacted by the latest round of layoffs in my former industry. (Though to be fair, I'm seeing similar news across multiple businesses and industries.) It’s a business that I believed in deeply, yet has been contracting for years, squeezing more out of fewer people, and demanding resilience while offering little in return.?

Ok- I’m going to practice radical candor here... Please know it’s grounded in empathy, care and a genuine desire to help… Let’s be real: Many of you weren’t happy, but you stayed because it felt safer than the unknown.

I know because I myself battled that feeling for a long time. And now, here you are—pushed out of the nest. While my individual situation may have been different, I do understand. I have been close enough to it (personally and professionally) and on the other side of that table enough times (too many.) I know it doesn’t feel like it right now, but this might just be the best thing that’s ever happened to you.

What Now?

First, take a breath. A layoff (or even the creeping dread of one) can shake your identity. But you are not your job. You are not your title, your paycheck, or your email signature.

Then, get curious. Instead of asking, “How do I replace what I lost?” ask, “What do I actually want?” That might sound like a luxury when bills are due, but trust me, replacing misery with a slightly different version of misery is a dead-end road.

It’s a little like staying in a relationship long past its expiration date. You tell yourself it’s easier to stay, that the problems aren’t that bad, that maybe it’s just you. Then, one day, you’re forced out—maybe by their choice, maybe by circumstance. And in the beginning, it feels awful. But eventually, you realize you were never going to leave on your own, and now you have a chance to build something that actually fits who you are now. And with that time and perspective, you're able to see that it all actually happened for you, rather than to you.

Building What’s Next—Together

The problem isn’t just losing a job; It's losing the structure, the network, and the sense of purpose- even if it was built on burnout. That’s why I want to create something for people in this space—those who are navigating the unknown, whether by choice or force.

I’m considering launching a community—maybe a version of The Rising Mastermind, maybe something else—where we:

• Reconnect with our value beyond a job description.
• Explore new possibilities instead of scrambling for the nearest exit.
• Create a plan that isn’t just about survival but about alignment, fulfillment, and real security; The kind that doesn’t depend on a company’s bottom line.

If this resonates, let me know.... What would help you? What kind of support, conversations, or connections do you need?

A rising tide lifts all boats, and I want to help lift yours.

If you’re ready to build something new, on your own terms, please reach out. Let’s figure it out together.

With Belief in Your Brighter Days,

Stacey