Having Lost My Job

[VM-alithos11]

I never thought I’d be here—lost, hollow, clinging to fragments of myself that feel impossibly distant.
The moment I was told my position was no longer “available,” something fractured inside me.

My mind went blank, yet raced with a million haunting thoughts. My identity, my routine, my purpose—gone in one cruel, unexpected instant.

Leaving the office felt surreal. I drifted through the hallways, feeling like a ghost of who I’d been just moments before.
I looked at my desk, that place that had seen my every triumph and frustration, now just an empty space.
My right hand trembled somewhat as I gathered my things, each item a reminder of the countless hours…
the belief that I was doing something worthwhile. But now, what was all of that for?

Walking out of the building, I felt the world press down on me, an invisible weight I couldn’t shake.
I was adrift, cast aside in a sea of people moving forward with purpose while I stumbled, hollow.

At home, the silence hummed louder than I could bear.
Each morning, I woke up with dread, forgetting for a second that my purpose was gone — until the harsh truth snapped back,
bringing with it a crushing wave of desolation.

I tried to move, to find some anchor, but each effort felt futile.
My self-worth, my visions, all felt drained,
like I was staring at a faded reflection of the person I once was.

In the stillness, left with only the ache of loss.

• This topic was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by VM-alithos11.

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[VM_mochi]

Hi VM‑alithos11, ABC01, and VM-chooky,

Thank you all for sharing so openly here. VM‑alithos11, your words really capture how painful and disorienting it can feel when something that gave your life purpose suddenly changes. It’s understandable that you’re feeling that deep ache and loss right now.

ABC01 and VM-chooky, your replies show such kindness and empathy. It’s beautiful to see how support and understanding can grow between people who’ve experienced different kinds of loss.

Grief after job loss can take time to work through, and it’s okay to take things slowly. Be gentle with yourselves and reach out for support whenever you need it — Griefline is here if you’d like to talk things through further.

Warm regards,
BW

[abc01]

Dear VM-alithos11,

“Each morning, I woke up with dread, forgetting for a second that my purpose was gone — until the harsh truth snapped back,
bringing with it a crushing wave of desolation.”

I felt that sentence right in my gut. I feel that way too after having a dream about my loved one and waking up to know that they are not in my reality anymore.

I truly hope you have found a way to find some hope after the loss of your job. It sometimes comes as a reflection, that only one thing shouldn’t be our sole focus in life. Balance can help find a meaning when we lose something we love.

And that any employer would be lucky to have you as their employee.

Lovely words, very well-articulated.
Thank-you,
ABC01

[VM_chooky]

Hi there VM-alithos11,
Thank you so much for being brave enough to share the experience of what I can only imagine is a very difficult time for you. Im so sorry you had to go through that. I can hear in your words just how painful losing your position at your work place was. Please make sure you take the time for yourself, loss like this can feel overwhelming at first but I promise you will find that purpose again. Whenever that ache you speak of, that weight you have to bear feels too heavy, make sure you tread lightly and be kind to yourself. I can hear in your words the level of dedication you had for your job which speaks volumes to the kind of person you are. That energy will become of great use either in another job or another aspect of life soon 🙂 You’ve got this!

[Author]

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