The Positive Side of Layoffs

Being laid off is never fun.

Or is it?

No, it’s really not. At least when it’s happening.

I was once laid off at a magazine job. Although I should have seen the signs (crazy economy, struggling publishing industry, declining sales, etc.), I was still gobsmacked. (On the plus side, “gobsmacked” is a really cool word.)

But, I didn’t take it personally. These things happen, especially in this economy.

So I proceeded to go to a coworker’s birthday happy hour. And ruin it. By crying. All night.

Stupid wine.

But, the next day, I pulled myself together (and popped some Aspirin). And I realized that the layoff might be for the best–why would I want to stay in a position where my magazine was dying? Better to leave while it’s still kickin’, as opposed to when it’s dead. Plus, I had already humiliated myself in front of my coworkers; there was really nothing left for me.

Getting laid off can provide you with the opportunity to chase that dream you always had but were too tied down by “the man” and “society” to ever give it a shot. You could start your own business! write the great American novel! become a rodeo clown! (I don’t judge.)

You could even do nothing.

Someone I knew was laid off awhile ago, and told me this: “I have to admit, besides being a little peeved that I was laid off over other people in my dept (that I had been there way longer than) I was absolutely thrilled to not have to go to work the next day. I enjoyed being out of work so much that when I talk to people now that have been laid off I congratulate them. I cried the night before I started here because I didn’t want to come back to work. A couple weeks ago there was Lexicon in Time magazine and it was “Funemployed,” and its definition was something about people who get laid off and discover they love not working. My husband showed it to me and was like, ‘That’s you!’ Don’t get me wrong, I love my current position, and I have said to my friends and family that working here has so far been the best thing to not having to work.”

There you go.

What advice could you give to people who have recently been laid off? Do you agree that there could be a positive side? What do you think about “funemployment”?