The unexpected detour: Embracing redundancy and reinvention

Just a few weeks ago, I found myself facing an unexpected turn in my career path – I was made redundant from my role as Design Director at a local agency. The decision, as is often the case with such surprises, sent ripples across my professional and personal life, leading to a cascade of unforeseen effects.

In the midst of navigating these changes, I realised that I was far from alone in this experience. With many others grappling with similar circumstances in this challenging economic climate, I decided to chronicle my journey.

My hope is that by sharing my experiences, reflections, and the lessons I learn along the way, I can offer some insights and perhaps even a sense of companionship to others who are traversing their own path through the often uncertain terrain of redundancy.

My Journey Begins – Coming to Terms with Redundancy

Dealing with the outcome and decision

Redundancy can feel like an abrupt plot twist in your career journey, especially when you've invested so much in your role. It's crucial, however, to remember that these decisions are often the result of wider organisational strategies or market conditions, and not a reflection of your abilities or value.

I was reminded of this during the initial shock, as I consciously detached the decision from my self-worth and focused instead on the possibilities that lay ahead.

Although difficult, and there will be a mixture of emotions, viewing redundancy as an opportunity for growth, rather than as a setback, can provide the resilience and positivity needed to navigate the path ahead.

Importance of reflection and self-care

Following redundancy, it's easy to jump straight into the job search in a state of panic or urgency. Which I did. I fired out a number of CVs to various organisations, and later realised the application could have been better – I can't change that; however, I can improve on my approach from now.

It's essential to first take a moment to breathe, reflect, and practice self-care. As I began this journey, I found that allocating time to reflect on my experiences, skills, and aspirations was a fundamental step. It helped me gain clarity and redefine my career goals or what I'm looking for in my next role.

Equally, focusing on self-care – maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and hobbies that bring joy – can significantly influence our mental well-being and energy levels during this period of uncertainty. For example, I consciously sidestepped the all-too-tempting breakfast of champions – a four-pack of Flakes in my comfiest joggers. Instead, I embraced daily walks around a local reservoir, soaking in the tranquility and plotting the demise of any future Flakes cravings.

Between sending out job applications, I channeled my energy into creative outlets. I've been learning and designing in Webflow (more on this later) and revisited Native Instruments Maschine – plus writing again.

Good starting points to begin the journey of finding a new job/role

Once you've taken the necessary time to reflect and care for yourself, it's time to venture into the job search with renewed energy and clarity.

A good and obvious starting point is to update your resume and LinkedIn profile, showcasing your skills, experiences, and learnings from your previous role.

Additionally, reaching out to your network can be incredibly valuable. As I navigated through the start of this process, I found that former colleagues, mentors, and even friends often provided invaluable insights about new opportunities or offered advice and support that helped guide my search. Remember, each interaction brings you one step closer to your next role. Huge shout out to everyone who has been in touch, dropped into my inbox, shared tools, and tagged me in roles, plus made introductions.

Each of these steps is a journey in itself, filled with introspection, self-discovery, and new beginnings. The key is to approach each step with positivity, openness, and patience, knowing that every phase has its role to play in shaping your new path.

As I conclude this first entry of my journey, I realise that the path to embracing redundancy is not a solitary one, but a shared experience that can be transformed through understanding, and resilience. This is just the beginning, and I'm optimistic about what the future holds given the current market and economical and social climate.

I'll be writing again later in the week with more insights and reflections as I continue to navigate this detour.

The search for a new role continues and I can help you and your teams with the following

#productdesign

#servicedesign

#userresearch

#productmanagement

#designleadership

Thanks for reading and please share your experiences, your strategies, and your stories in the comments!