Uncertainty and Growth: A Personal Tale of Career Resilience

Years ago, I found myself living under a cloud of constant stress, knowing that my job might be gone in a couple of months. The fear was overwhelming. Balancing the demands of family, career, and daily life felt almost impossible. I had to find a way to detach emotionally to keep going—to avoid spiralling into despair and losing myself to depression.

Despite my best efforts, delivering great results and pushing through every challenge, the outcome was out of my hands.

I started losing sleep, consumed by anxiety as I scoured job boards, applying to every vacancy I could find. The "what-ifs" became my constant companion, playing with my mind while I was cooking, cleaning, watching TV, or helping my son with his homework. I doubted myself, wondering if I was good enough, experienced enough, or skilled enough. That gnawing feeling in my stomach—like something bad was coming—never left me.

There were times when I would joke with friends, saying that if the world faced an alien invasion or a zombie apocalypse, I’d be the lone survivor. But facing the fear of losing my job or career felt like a different kind of battle—and I was determined to win

And I wasn’t alone. How many candidates had I interviewed who were likely facing similar situations? How many skilled and talented people have failed interviews due to pressure, anxiety, or a million other reasons? That was the moment I began to walk in the candidates’ shoes, understanding the emotional and mental toll they experienced.

It was then that I shifted my focus to the human side of the equation. I realized that no matter how high I was in the hierarchy, how skilled I was at my job, or how impressive my background might be, we were all passengers on the same career journey.

Sometimes, it’s not about titles, achievements, or recognition—it’s about resilience, growth, and empathy. It’s about reminding ourselves that we are human, navigating challenges and uncertainties and that our job or position doesn’t solely define our value and worth.

During this time, I also realized how critical support from colleagues and managers can be. My manager was incredibly supportive, and I truly appreciated that. But sometimes, business needs dictate outcomes that are beyond anyone’s control. Politics or other factors may play a role, and I learned that asking, “Why me? Why not someone else?” or “What did I do wrong?” wasn’t helpful or productive.

I stopped questioning myself because those questions don’t change the situation—they only drain your energy. Instead, I shifted my focus to what I could control, how I could grow, and how I could rebuild.

Building resilience became my lifeline and here are a few practical strategies that helped me through:

1. Focusing on What I Could Control: I focused my energy on areas I could influence, whether it was learning new skills, improving processes, or strengthening relationships.
2. Leaning on My Support System: Talking to friends, family, and mentors made a huge difference. Sharing my fears and challenges lightened the emotional load and gave me fresh perspectives. I’m still in touch with my first manager from 2001—his advice continues to be invaluable.
3. Prioritizing Self-Care: I made it a priority to take care of myself—getting enough sleep, eating well, and finding time for exercise. Even small acts, like taking a daily walk or journaling, helped me maintain balance and clarity.
4. Staying Open to Opportunities: I began thinking about the future—not just in terms of what I might lose, but what I might gain. I explored new roles, networked actively, and kept my skills sharp. I even enrolled in my first master’s program in Career Counselling, followed by a second one in Adult Learning and Continuing Education.
5. Reframing the Narrative: Instead of viewing challenges as setbacks, I started seeing them as growth opportunities. Every tough situation taught me something valuable about myself.
6. Being Kind to Myself: I reminded myself that resilience doesn’t mean struggling—it means getting back up and moving forward, no matter how difficult the journey.

This journey taught me that resilience isn’t something I was born with—it’s something I built, piece by piece, through small but meaningful steps every day.

If you’re going through a tough time, I hope my story reminds you that it’s possible to find strength, even in the hardest moments. And on the other side of the storm, there’s always the opportunity for a fresh start and a stronger self. ??