I got laid off the same day you did (I had four weeks notice, but my last day was also your last day) and I remember thinking "I'm in good company."
I fully endorse all of the things you said here. I was lucky enough to get a large severance and unemployment and have a supportive, understanding and employed partner, so I was also able to take a couple weeks (plus, my direct bosses were mad I got laid off so basically told me "You don't have to do any work you don't want to do starting today" when they told me about it). Doing that allowed me to realize that I *hated* a lot of my job. I loved my team, I enjoyed some of the work, but I had spent the last 5+ years being overwhelmed, miserable and stressed. That month off let me figure out what I loved about my job (spreadsheets) and what I hated (being in charge of people) and let me shift my job search. I ended up getting another job in October and I'm much much happier there.
And 100% about doing stuff during the day! I met my partner for lunch at least once a week, walked in the park nearby, met another friend for lunch and board games. All those things kept me sane.
Be upfront and really connect with the network you care about. Set a time for a quick chat and say, hey just catching up, looking for new opportunities, any advice? Make it a give and take. I will go above and beyond for someone I respect who is just checking in.
Getting fired from my job was a terrible experience. So, I can't stress enough to let yourself process the loss. I'm in a better place now but it was hard getting here. Remember you are more than just your job and you are so much more than your ability to produce something for someone else.
I love that pic of you and your dog. I know you’ll find something amazing again. I still listen to Nerdette and I sometimes I sport my Nerdette bag in the summertime Chicago. Wishing you all the good that you give out.
When I was laid off (with generous severance, from a job I really didn't like and wasn't suited for) it was devastating. I agree with all of the advice you gave Greta and would add something that I was encouraged to do when I left consulting by a career coach: start doing a new hobby and prioritize doing it every single work day.
It was super valuable both for the obvious reasons (distraction from your worries, doing something that you think might be fun is fun!) and less obvious reasons (I was reminded that I am adaptable, a problem-solver, and more than what I am paid for). It also became a habit even a few years after I started at my now company.
I started playing guitar after mentioning the interest to a friend who gave me the first guitar she ever owned <3. I am not good. I now haven't practiced in like 2 years, but I love that I started and that it helped me find my own strength in a very scary time.
Greta! I was among your first subscribers here on SubStack, and I've enjoyed following your career as it has paralleled some of my own. I spent 27 years on the radio before the ultimate layoff, and it always was the best job on earth! One moves up from being a medium sized fish in a small pond to a small fish in a bigger pond, and eventually progress just by being the ranking weekend DJ when somebody else crashes or blunders or gets arrested (this happens more in Top40 than in NPR :-) ).
You did this too, I think. You left the wilds of Alaska (yikes!), travelled all over the country, and wound up in prime time and on new media on the nation's premier NPR platform, and that is to be celebrated indeed! In fact, your own interests defined Nerdette - we are all in the end some kind of nerdy wierdo - and your own ideas about what's important and interesting to think about, to read, to create, to cook, to cuddle and even smell (!) continue to define GRETAGRAM and your other venues. I think you're very worth paying attention to.
So I'm renewing my SubStack for you (and you other people should do that too! Greta's kitchen needs ingredients!)
For advice? Connect? Yes! AFTRA-SAG is among the best designed unions as it's built around people who don't have steady incomes. Run errands on weekdays? Yes! Get to know the old guys at the hardware store, Smelling the lilacs? Well, only sort of, because I am ghastly allergic to them and there's a 7 foot bush right outside my front door. But this year it has a pair of nesting robins in it, right next to the camera (because I am still a nerd).
Unrelated but I immediately thought of you this week because there is a new Northern Exposure podcast out called Northern Disclosure. I have mixed feelings about it because I have always delighted in how obscure NE was up until recently (it only just became available on streaming in the past year!), and I’m a little scared to venture into “tell all” territory bc I miss mystery and wonder in our on-demand culture. BUT! I wonder how you’ll feel about it!
I have never been unemployed (I’m 62) but have a bit of ‘no vocation’ envy 😉 after reading your post. Volunteering and getting those dog walks in are so rewarding.
I got laid off the same day you did (I had four weeks notice, but my last day was also your last day) and I remember thinking "I'm in good company."
I fully endorse all of the things you said here. I was lucky enough to get a large severance and unemployment and have a supportive, understanding and employed partner, so I was also able to take a couple weeks (plus, my direct bosses were mad I got laid off so basically told me "You don't have to do any work you don't want to do starting today" when they told me about it). Doing that allowed me to realize that I *hated* a lot of my job. I loved my team, I enjoyed some of the work, but I had spent the last 5+ years being overwhelmed, miserable and stressed. That month off let me figure out what I loved about my job (spreadsheets) and what I hated (being in charge of people) and let me shift my job search. I ended up getting another job in October and I'm much much happier there.
And 100% about doing stuff during the day! I met my partner for lunch at least once a week, walked in the park nearby, met another friend for lunch and board games. All those things kept me sane.
Be upfront and really connect with the network you care about. Set a time for a quick chat and say, hey just catching up, looking for new opportunities, any advice? Make it a give and take. I will go above and beyond for someone I respect who is just checking in.
Getting fired from my job was a terrible experience. So, I can't stress enough to let yourself process the loss. I'm in a better place now but it was hard getting here. Remember you are more than just your job and you are so much more than your ability to produce something for someone else.
Yes! Smell the fucking lilacs!
I love that pic of you and your dog. I know you’ll find something amazing again. I still listen to Nerdette and I sometimes I sport my Nerdette bag in the summertime Chicago. Wishing you all the good that you give out.
When I was laid off (with generous severance, from a job I really didn't like and wasn't suited for) it was devastating. I agree with all of the advice you gave Greta and would add something that I was encouraged to do when I left consulting by a career coach: start doing a new hobby and prioritize doing it every single work day.
It was super valuable both for the obvious reasons (distraction from your worries, doing something that you think might be fun is fun!) and less obvious reasons (I was reminded that I am adaptable, a problem-solver, and more than what I am paid for). It also became a habit even a few years after I started at my now company.
I started playing guitar after mentioning the interest to a friend who gave me the first guitar she ever owned <3. I am not good. I now haven't practiced in like 2 years, but I love that I started and that it helped me find my own strength in a very scary time.
❤️❤️❤️
Greta! I was among your first subscribers here on SubStack, and I've enjoyed following your career as it has paralleled some of my own. I spent 27 years on the radio before the ultimate layoff, and it always was the best job on earth! One moves up from being a medium sized fish in a small pond to a small fish in a bigger pond, and eventually progress just by being the ranking weekend DJ when somebody else crashes or blunders or gets arrested (this happens more in Top40 than in NPR :-) ).
You did this too, I think. You left the wilds of Alaska (yikes!), travelled all over the country, and wound up in prime time and on new media on the nation's premier NPR platform, and that is to be celebrated indeed! In fact, your own interests defined Nerdette - we are all in the end some kind of nerdy wierdo - and your own ideas about what's important and interesting to think about, to read, to create, to cook, to cuddle and even smell (!) continue to define GRETAGRAM and your other venues. I think you're very worth paying attention to.
So I'm renewing my SubStack for you (and you other people should do that too! Greta's kitchen needs ingredients!)
For advice? Connect? Yes! AFTRA-SAG is among the best designed unions as it's built around people who don't have steady incomes. Run errands on weekdays? Yes! Get to know the old guys at the hardware store, Smelling the lilacs? Well, only sort of, because I am ghastly allergic to them and there's a 7 foot bush right outside my front door. But this year it has a pair of nesting robins in it, right next to the camera (because I am still a nerd).
Unrelated but I immediately thought of you this week because there is a new Northern Exposure podcast out called Northern Disclosure. I have mixed feelings about it because I have always delighted in how obscure NE was up until recently (it only just became available on streaming in the past year!), and I’m a little scared to venture into “tell all” territory bc I miss mystery and wonder in our on-demand culture. BUT! I wonder how you’ll feel about it!
oh interesting!! I only just started watching it when it came out for streaming. we still haven’t seen the whole series.
Looking for a host here in St Paul! https://recruiting2.ultipro.com/AME1098APMG/JobBoard/4b7ae4eb-a67b-4318-80fc-6d9467f9c542/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=8f422385-0178-4f29-9329-16ea68a2ae9f
Thank you for this post! <3 This is all such great advice, even as someone who is still (thankfully) employed. Bookmarking immediately.
I have never been unemployed (I’m 62) but have a bit of ‘no vocation’ envy 😉 after reading your post. Volunteering and getting those dog walks in are so rewarding.
now i’m wondering if it’s better to have had a vocation and lost it or to never have it at all 🤷♀️