Being made Redundant and now I constantly feel depressed
Hi Mark,
I was made redundant a few months ago and since then I have felt constantly depressed about being let go and not being part of a team anymore. I miss not speaking to my work colleagues and the camaraderie we used to have. I worked at my last job for a number of years and now that I am 39, I feel I'm going to find it so hard to get back within the workforce again. Please help
'Marks Response'
I've worked within my company for 18 years and if I was to be let go or made redundant, I would find it really hard to deal with. I would probably feel exactly how you're feeling right now! And believe me, when I say, I know why you feel this way and what a difference a job you enjoy makes to your life. I've had many different jobs over the years: from starting work at the age of 12, on the town markets; or flipping pancakes in a local factory at night; all this to try and earn some money and also enjoying the people you meet along the way.
But if I did lose my job, I wouldn't let it stop me from being me. What you need to understand is that there are things that happen in our lives, that we have no control over; things that relate to your age, your gender, and even what you look like. For instance, did you know that it is more beneficial for a company to make someone who is below the age of 40 redundant, than someone who is over the age of 40? Don't let the fact that you've been picked for redundancy have any bearing on how you feel about yourself and who you are. I talk about a wall that we're all walking along and how easy it is to slip off this wall onto a side that you don't want to be on. You need to take some time to enjoy a little relaxation and while you are doing that, you need to think about what makes you happy in life. Would you be happy to go back and do the same work you once did or is this a chance to now think about starting something new in your life? Remember you only get one life and sometimes the things you thought were problems actually turn into opportunities.
I wish you luck in your future. I'm sure that if you manage to focus at a new point in time along this metaphorical wall, you will realise that life is what you put into it and also the things and people you surround yourself with. Don't focus on the spot that is right in front of you, as you will miss new opportunity coming your way.