I got laid off
Welp…this is one newsletter article I never wanted to write, but here we are. I got laid off for the first time in my career.
![Work Stuff Newsletter logo](https://assets.buttondown.email/images/b125fcd2-3eb1-47fc-a886-c00b5886485f.jpg?w=960&fit=max)
They let go of 25% of the company—around 300 people. I guess I was shocked, but in hindsight (and looking back at certain things that have happened), this was no surprise.
I've been going through the usual stages of emotions: Panic, fear, anger, sadness. Laughter worked its way in somehow.
Trying to keep my head up, though. I'm grateful I still have my side gig as a local handyman. Oh, did I tell you that you should have a side gig? They're great for exploring your passions, but I literally say this in my newsletter article from August 2023:
"It's not fun to talk about, but layoffs are all the rage now, and I'm a huge fan of not putting all my eggs in one basket. I feel secure at my full-time job, but if something were to happen, I'd still have some income rolling in from my side gig."
Boy, how the tables have turned!
I have no idea what I want to do next. I’ll likely put more time/effort into my handyman business and take on more jobs. Maybe I’ll do some freelancing/contracting. Hell, maybe I’ll just give it all up and work at In-N-Out or something.
It’s funny because I get that thought a couple times a year—I’ve considered saying goodbye to the only career path I’ve known to try something completely new and different. Maybe I’m getting sick of working in front of a computer all day? I don’t know.
I think I’m gonna take a road trip by myself sometime soon, just to get away and clear my head. If you have any recommendations for a cool destination that’s a one- or two-day drive from central California, let me know!