How To Cope With Losing Your Job During COVID-19

It is so unfortunate that so many lives have been lost during this pandemic. In the past 6 months, many people have been made homeless, some hopeless and some jobless. I remember when I lost a job I liked just before a huge promotion in 2011, I had nightmares, I would wake up to cry, I had so many assimilations in my head of how the situation would have played out if for a few moments I had not made the glaring mistake that killed first my career that was set in stone, my confidence in myself as a worthy employee and lastly my time in university doing a degree I might not be able to use in that industry.

Well, life is full of ironic moments, activities and opportunities. 10 years later, a post grad and a whole new career in a totally different field later, I can’t complain. I lost my job in 2011 however I gained a lot of experiences and skills that will probably make me a millionaire in the next few years, something that would never have happened if I was going to pursue a career in that field.

The irony of the story is, that was 9 years ago, I was still young and vibrant and the room to bounce back after my job loss was massive. Which might not be the case with someone who lost their job during the COVID-19 pandemic bedeviling the entire world.

I wish I could say one day you will look at this pandemic and say, OH, this was a blessing in disguise like I did, truth is I can’t because (a)the uncertainties paused by the pandemic are just too many (b) I am not an expect and I might not know how to address you and speak to that inner person who might be hurting after losing your job during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In case you are going through a tumultuous time either by the prospect of losing your job during the COVID-19 pandemic or from actually losing your job during these perilous time, an expert, a psychotherapist with 10 years’ experience in counselling and group therapies and mental health first aid has listed the following ways to help you cope with such a life changing event or change.

Allow yourselves to feel whatever those feelings are, frustration, sadness, anger, disappointment and confusion about the future.

Don’t be hard on yourself, it will make things worse.
Stop comparing yourself to others.
Take necessary steps to sustain and uplift your self-esteem.

By all means acknowledge the hard work you are putting to try and figure out next move.
Identify possible next step options.

Whenever possible, positively occupy your time with activities such as establishing a social network volunteering in the community etc.
Foster and nurture positive relationships; eliminate negative relationships.
Be open to new roles and career paths. Expand your networks.

Take good or great care of your-self by exercising sleeping and eating better.
Indulge in recreational activities with family and friends.

Surround yourself with positive people.
Search within yourself till you find what makes you feel good and make time for it every day.
Do ask for help when the going gets tough.