"Unexpected and forced change has a way of shaking us to our core. When I experienced a layoff, I found myself caught in a whirlwind of emotions—fear, anger, embarrassment, and even shame. Despite understanding the logic and necessity of the decision, it didn’t make the experience any less personal.

For a while, my thoughts felt scattered. I questioned everything: How would I tell my family? How would I meet my financial obligations? What would I do next?