Here's how you can prioritize self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance during a layoff.

I must maintain self-awareness at all times and in every condition, both mentally and physically. When my energy levels are optimal, I am able to accomplish numerous tasks, particularly those of primary importance. It is essential to prioritize major responsibilities over minor ones. When I feel fatigued, I will take the necessary time to rest and rejuvenate. It is crucial to avoid anything that could diminish my spirit or disrupt my mental well-being.

Assess your reality by taking stock of your current situation. Evaluate your financial standing, how much time you can afford to be out of work, and your non-negotiables. Apply for unemployment benefits if eligible and cut non-essential expenses to extend your financial runway. This assessment will help you create a clear plan of action and reduce stress during this transitional period.

It might sound ridiculous, but first and foremost: feel your feels. Every emotion and feeling you are experiencing right now is valid and you must be able to process those feelings healthily. To do so requires you to actually face them and allow yourself to experience them. After you have been able to allow yourself to feel some of your feelings initially, understand you will need to pause and reflect often through this healing process and it won't be a linear progression. Give yourself time, as you need it, to pause and reflect. As you do, continue to press forward, but never forgetting to let yourself pause. You deserve a pause.

Establishing a routine during a layoff is vital. Create a daily schedule that includes job searching, skill development, and self-care like exercise or hobbies. This structure maintains productivity, boosts mood, and supports your overall well-being during this transition.

Once you have experienced a layoff, your routine is now completely disrupted. But take this opportunity, after giving yourself time to pause and reflect, establish a new routine. This will help ground you and aid you in knowing where you are in the week. Consider a new morning coffee or morning tea routine, then set aside a designated lunch hour, consider taking some online courses, exercise to relieve mental fatigue, and / or dive into hobbies you love. Make these activities set at a specific time on a specific day, to help rebuild your structure and routine in your week.

Rely on your social network for support during a layoff. Reach out to friends, family, and professional contacts for potential job leads. Sharing your situation combats isolation and uplifts your spirits, reminding you that you're not navigating this period alone

While time alone might help for a while, do not retreat away for too long. Humans are social creatures and you should lean on your friends, family (if you have family you are close to), and former colleagues you trust to socialize with. Do it at your own pace, of course, as always, but don't forget to lean on them if you need them, just as they do with and for you. Community can be the best thing to help you through this time.

Make the most of this time to improve yourself. Identify skills that can boost your employability and consider online courses or workshops. Learning new things builds confidence and gives you a competitive advantage in the job market, keeping you motivated and engaged in your career development.