By Lataya Ballard
Perhaps the biggest problem with job loss is not the sudden loss of income and activity but the effects it has on
the mind. The psychological and emotional impacts of job loss very often far outweigh the loss of income because
of the grieving process.
Any type of loss can cause grief. Large or small, loss causes grief. Your attachment to and dependency upon that
which was lost usually determines how quickly you overcome the grief experience. When a person is in a state of
grief or depression, he or she does not have the ability to perform at his or her best or highest level (which
inhibits one’s ability to search for a job or even function well in a new career opportunity).
Typically we think of death when we think of grief. We know that you must go through the grieving process to
overcome and move forward. The same is true with grief when dealing with the loss of a job. Believe it or not, job
loss is the loss of a loved one. Lots of people love their jobs. It may be a love-hate relationship but love still
exists. You work hard, you get a return – you basically have a relationship with the job! When that relationship
comes to an end – sudden, expected or unexpected – you can’t help but feel something. That something usually
isn’t something good! Very seldom is the only emotion total relief or utter joy.
“A job provides us with much more than a way to spend our time and a way to make money. Our identity and the
way others see us is often influenced by our jobs… Our jobs give us a chance to use our talents, to be productive
and share our lives with others,” reads an article in the North Central Regional Extension Publication.
That article goes on to say how some people describe job loss as “losing a part of myself.” That is certainly grief.
But the best way to get through the grief from loss is to recognize why you are grieving, how you got so
attached, what it is exactly that you were attached to and finally, what will it take to get over the grief. Using our
talents, being productive, sharing our lives with others and molding the way others see us should not be
determined by or limited to our “9 - 5s”. But we’ll talk about that later.
Shock, denial, anger, acceptance, anxiety and embarrassment are all normal feelings. However, the degree of or
length of time that those feelings are prolonged can ultimately cause you more harm than release. Your emotions
shine through when you communicate with others, including potential employers. Understanding and dealing with
the feelings that go along with job loss grief will help you get to the next level in your next endeavor.
Ask for help from your family, friends and your church. They may have resources you weren’t aware of such as
business associates in the staffing industry, managers at corporation or simply have an encouraging word you
need.
Most importantly, know that the Lord provides. Trust in Him with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind.
Lean not to your own understanding. He can and will help you through this and because he loves you. - LNB
Read Part 2: Reinventing yourself for success.
the mind. The psychological and emotional impacts of job loss very often far outweigh the loss of income because
of the grieving process.
Any type of loss can cause grief. Large or small, loss causes grief. Your attachment to and dependency upon that
which was lost usually determines how quickly you overcome the grief experience. When a person is in a state of
grief or depression, he or she does not have the ability to perform at his or her best or highest level (which
inhibits one’s ability to search for a job or even function well in a new career opportunity).
Typically we think of death when we think of grief. We know that you must go through the grieving process to
overcome and move forward. The same is true with grief when dealing with the loss of a job. Believe it or not, job
loss is the loss of a loved one. Lots of people love their jobs. It may be a love-hate relationship but love still
exists. You work hard, you get a return – you basically have a relationship with the job! When that relationship
comes to an end – sudden, expected or unexpected – you can’t help but feel something. That something usually
isn’t something good! Very seldom is the only emotion total relief or utter joy.
“A job provides us with much more than a way to spend our time and a way to make money. Our identity and the
way others see us is often influenced by our jobs… Our jobs give us a chance to use our talents, to be productive
and share our lives with others,” reads an article in the North Central Regional Extension Publication.
That article goes on to say how some people describe job loss as “losing a part of myself.” That is certainly grief.
But the best way to get through the grief from loss is to recognize why you are grieving, how you got so
attached, what it is exactly that you were attached to and finally, what will it take to get over the grief. Using our
talents, being productive, sharing our lives with others and molding the way others see us should not be
determined by or limited to our “9 - 5s”. But we’ll talk about that later.
Shock, denial, anger, acceptance, anxiety and embarrassment are all normal feelings. However, the degree of or
length of time that those feelings are prolonged can ultimately cause you more harm than release. Your emotions
shine through when you communicate with others, including potential employers. Understanding and dealing with
the feelings that go along with job loss grief will help you get to the next level in your next endeavor.
Ask for help from your family, friends and your church. They may have resources you weren’t aware of such as
business associates in the staffing industry, managers at corporation or simply have an encouraging word you
need.
Most importantly, know that the Lord provides. Trust in Him with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind.
Lean not to your own understanding. He can and will help you through this and because he loves you. - LNB
Read Part 2: Reinventing yourself for success.
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Overcoming Job Loss Hurdles
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