A Journey of Resilience: Redefining Strength Amidst Pregnancy and Job Loss

When you hear the term 'unexpected life event,' getting laid off from a job you're committed to and becoming jobless while seven months pregnant might be one of the things that could come to mind. That is precisely what I encountered in July 2023. The layoff was shocking and disheartening, but it also served as a launching pad for personal growth and empowerment. 

In an attempt to process my experiences, I documented it in my journal, capturing my thoughts, learnings, and insights. If you're interested in learning more about this, I am open to chat. But for now, I'd like to share three key learnings from my journey:

• The Power of Connection

The initial shock of being laid off was overwhelming. The mere sight of the meeting invite from HR was enough to signal the end of my tenure, a moment that was as painful as it was unexpected. Yet, in this hour of need, I was cocooned by the warmth and strength of the human connections I had nurtured over the years. Friends, family, and former colleagues reached out, lending their voices of reassurance and empathy. Amidst this emotional turmoil, it was the innocent reaction of my three-year-old son and the unwavering support of my partner that provided a much-needed balm. Their actions served as a powerful reminder that the bonds of familial love and solidarity can greatly soften the blow of such life-altering events.

• Standing Up for Myself

Initially, I felt powerless and defeated, but I soon learned the importance of understanding my legal rights and the means to enforce them. While I didn’t have a legal case after consulting various employment lawyers, I realized I could appeal to the company's sense of fairness and humanity, given my challenging circumstance and the loss of planned maternity leave. I drafted a negotiation letter to my ex-employer, making my case for a better severance package. Through this experience, I came to appreciate the importance of standing up for oneself - it is an act of courage and self-respect.

• Embracing Emotion

Being laid off brought about a tumult of emotions - fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. Society often pressures us to remain positive during hard times, and the optimistic narrative often associated with layoffs ("It's the best thing that ever happened to me") can be hard to relate to when you're grappling with a deep sense of loss. It's essential to understand that our emotions are valid and that taking the time to work through them, without rushing into determining the next course of action, is crucial. The real triumph, as I found, is not in the layoff itself but in how we react to it. For me, this meant proactively seeking advice, advocating for myself, and using the experience as an opportunity to share my journey, potentially helping others in similar situations.

Looking back, losing my job while preparing to bring a new life into the world was a whirlwind of an experience. However, it's my response to the situation that truly characterizes the episode for me. It was also a journey of empowerment, enriched by the support from my loved ones, the courage to stand up for myself, and the resilience I found within myself. I hope my personal journey provides a glimmer of inspiration to anyone navigating similar paths, reminding you that even the harshest trials can cultivate strength and resilience.

If my story resonates with you, or if you find value in my experiences, I encourage you to leave a comment and/or share this post with someone who might be navigating a similar path. Your engagement could provide them with the reassurance or insight they need during their journey.

If you are a recruiter or hiring manager interested in discussing potential opportunities, I invite you to direct message me now. I'm eager to find an inclusive and product-led organization where I can apply my customer empathy, technical proficiency, data analytics, and effective communication - all fundamental to successful product management. Although my availability to start work is from January 2024, following my maternity leave, I am open to starting the conversation and recruitment process immediately given that the recruitment process can take weeks, if not months. I welcome any job leads or referrals and greatly appreciate your support during this period.

Thank you.