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I lost my job, I am depressed.

Gabriela Muñoz on November 10, 2022

On June 30 I lost my job. I couldn’t understand what happened. As you know, I loved my job and I really enjoyed being part of the startup. I joine...
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Ben Halpern

Thanks for sharing. I just followed you on DEV, looking forward to supporting you.

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Charles F. Munat • Edited

FWIW, you have plenty of company. Hard times.

That said, many of your behaviors are actually making things worse, which just increases your burden and results in a downward spiral. If you want to get a job, you can't be depressed. People pick up on that subconsciously.

So you have to arrest the downward spiral and turn it around, spiraling up instead.

Clutter and a messy environment are really depressing, so the first thing to do is to spend a day really cleaning and neatening everything up. If you do so, I think that you'll find, sitting in your newly cleaned apartment, that you feel much better already.

Another big one is sitting around and feeling sad. That's no help at all. You can affect your hormonal balance with exercise and the outdoors. Get out and go for a brisk walk. Go somewhere nice -- a park or garden. Smell the roses. Pet a dog. Say hello to strangers.

Food, too. Instead of eating crap, buy some fresh vegetables and a few delicacies and plan a feast for yourself. Invite a friend. Cooking is best when shared. And clean as you go. Try to keep the kitchen spotless all the way through, with only the serving dishes left to do after you've finished eating. And do them right away.

New clothes, the gym, swimming, sitting in a café relaxing and people-watching, maybe read a good book.

All these things will help you to reverse your direction, and will vastly improve your chances of finding a good job. And, if you can, be picky about the job. Don't take the first thing that comes along (unless it is really right). Learning new skills is also a smart approach -- good idea there.

You can also take advantage of various aids to help you find the right path. There is a lot out there. Of course, you may already be doing many of these things.

I wish you the best in this journey. As I said, you are not alone -- not by a long shot. If you can find others in a similar situation and work to support each other, encouraging growth, that can help, too.

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Gabriela Muñoz

Charles, thank you so much for your recommendations, it brings tears to my eyes to read them. Now, fortunately, I am doing some activities, every day I feel better. :)

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Charles F. Munat

We are all in this together, Gabriela, even if many of us tend to forget...

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NOPR9D ☄️

Here is a healing potion as support!

Heal potion

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Pandita

aww te envio muchos abrazos y buenas vibras, se que podras lograrlo! Esta bien si te agrego a linkedin para ver si de alguna forma puedo ayudarte? saludos!! (no soy reclutadora pero compartiendo y dandote like puedo darte visibilidad con mis contactos que son como mil reclutadores aqui en México jajajaja)

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Raí B. Toffoletto

I think we all been there (or sadly will be) at one point of our lives! You are not alone! It's ok to feel sad and depressed when you have a burnout, time usually helps, but for me the more important step in order to turn the tide, is to put your feet out of your house... go for a walk for 30min every day and will help you to put your your thoughts and yourself together!! Sending you good vibes and wishing you well.

Saludos! Vas ver que pronto encuentras un nuevo trabajo y de espacio la vida va mejorando 🙂

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Gabriela Muñoz

Thank you :)

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spO0q 🐒

You're very strong. I don't see many posts on the topic, because it's a tough reality in this business.

Another member of DEV described the most challenging part of the job as "a constant threat to your mental health," which is true. Stress can be overwhelming.

The only thing that does not change in this job is change.

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Gabriela Muñoz

Thank you, I wrote this post help me to recognize that I am vulnerable, It's ok not always people are happy.

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Kris Dover

Hang in there Gabriela, as long as you have life you have hope. Don't let the things you can't control (like losing your job) weigh you down, but rather take comfort in the little things you can control (like tidying your apartment) and take small steps towards that so it becomes a routine. Please note I'm not qualified to give psychiatric advice, but I'm just saying this as someone whose been there (and everyone's been there) and as someone whose praying your find your way.

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Gabriela Muñoz

Kris, I really appreciate your recommendations! Every day is better than others! Keep going :)

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ELIAS ZON

Thanks for sharing the story. I can feel you. These days, lots of fresh graduates like me have a tough time in my country. Many of them cant even get a job. It's almost the darkest time in job market.

But I hope we could get through this tough time and live a good life.

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Jimmy

Terribly hard to accept and i really understand. I feel the exact same thing few months ago.
3 months on an company, no feedbacks. All is good and finally nothing was good then bye bye …
It’s a sad moment but you will pass it and start new experience soon 💪
Keep it in your head and stay positive 🙏

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Michael Barton

Always look at one opportunity lost as opening doors for other things. I lost my job after 2 years with a startup last year. It was somewhat of a relief that I wouldn't have to deal with the burnout anymore and I realized that I could finally start working on what I wanted to actually work on. I spent a couple of months job searching and landed an opportunity as a Sr Consultant but in the meantime, I was working on my side hustles which are websites and apps that I developed from scratch. Believe me, there's a lot that you can accomplish without having a full-time job and you can learn from doing Fiverr or Upwork jobs while getting paid to do it so things will get better with time but it's a mind-shift to think positive and realize that you can replace what used to be with something else. Life-change happens and there's a community here that can certainly help you through the difficult times!

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John Peters

Gabriella;
All your symptoms are classic signs of depression. Talk to your Dr. About anti-depressants.

Don't drink any alcohol now as it's a depressant. Getting lots of rest is good because you need it now.

I've been through more than 5 layoffs in my 30 year career. The IT industry is unique in that regard. It's a generally unstable industry.

Here's what I learned. Never ever accept a layoff as a judgement of who you are. Use the pain to motivate you in retooling. Focus on getting as many interviews as possible.

Your new full-time job is getting a job. Each interview serves two purposes, one for them and more importantly one for you to see what skills are in high demand. Make a list of top skills needed and start studying the top most request. I would guess it will be cloud certification. As you dive into your study allow the pain to motivate you to get the certification. As your focus changes, the pain will subside. When you get your next new job you'll find a better situation and a pay increase.

Yes IT has very personally offensive practices, but it won't stop any of us in the long term.

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Angeiͥͥͥͥͥͥͥͥͥͥͥͥͥͥ

Mi recomendación es que, aunque te sientas sin energía, trata de hacer las cosas cotidianas como mantener el apartamento limpio. Mientras más deje que se acumule todo eso, peor será.

Espero logres conseguir un nuevo trabajo y mientras tanto, nunca pares de aprender.

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Ankit Zore • Edited

I would recommend you to read Power of subconscious mind

It's very good book which will encourage you and help you discover your hidden strength.

Don't be disheartened by minor setbacks in life, better and awesome things are coming down the line stay positive cheers🍻 😊

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RocioGonzalezToral

Happy that life has given me the opportunity to meet you, you are a very interesting person, you have a lot of potential and I understand a lot of what you are going through, I hug you, I admire you and here I am to send you a lot of positive energy and share my experience. All in the correct time happen, one step at a time. Every day, every experience is a learning experience and all this leads you to be a better version of yourself.

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aoda

Hug you , long time ago , i lost my job too, you know,i try my best to do that job , and i like it , but one day , my leader said ,
you don't need work from tomorrow, i realized that i am fired, i was so sad , can't understand why ,how it can happen,what is the bad things i done, i was droped into a dark, many many days later , i decided to do something,just active myself,and then i started to learn writer code , so now, i became a programmer,a full stack programmer,so don't worry,Gabriela, darkness will pass,light will come.

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Joe Mainwaring

Hi Gabriela,

Thank you for sharing your story, we sometimes get lost in just sharing technical writings that we can overlook the human element to our careers. I'm sorry you've found it difficult to rebound following your job loss, but I want to reaffirm that you are as a person are valuable, even if you feel otherwise after interview decisions. While some interviews will make you feel like you need to improve your skillset, keep in mind that there is an entire spectrum of companies and roles out there, and while one may not align as you'd like, others may be more fitting (and better for your mental health!).

Do self reflect on how you can improve, but just keep in mind that sometimes, companies are bad at interviewing and set candidates up for unintentional failure. Don't let those decisions get to you - you're probably dodging a bullet.

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Sheila Gomes

I'm sorry you had to go through this. I've been there, but each experience is unique and I appreciate all your effort, including writing this. Reading about other people's experience has helped me build my confidence in tough times, and writing about my own tough times helped me see things from a distance and appraise the situation so as to understand myself and my career choices better. I hope it does something similar to you. May this process bring you learning and fruitful journeys ahead. If you want to connect here or in Linkedin, or even talk in private, please feel free to send a message.

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Fakie Tap

Hi Gab.
Feel for you. I felt the same when I went on retirement. So look at the brightside.. You now know what to expect when you retire.

I love programming, but couldn't consentrate. Doctor gave me a mild antidepressant and since then I've been learning new frameworks and exploring all the wonders of coding!
My solution would be to try to build some small project. Ie.:A grocery list.

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Tracy Petit

My heart goes out to you hun! I’m not there yet, but I’m sure it could happen easily in this competitive market. You’re a strong, intelligent woman and don’t you ever forget that. Jobs don’t define us…ever. 🤗

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Eric

Thank you for sharing your story!

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Wade Zimmerman

Losing a job is traumatic. Was super depressed after I got fired. I felt like a complete failure. Oddly enough, in hindsight, going to a bunch of interviews was therapeutic. After months of searching I found a company of people who actually enjoy life.

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Ashnard

Comprendo perfectamente, me sucedió algo muy similar en el 2020, pase casi un año sin trabajar y caí en depresión.

Afortunadamente me encuentro trabajando nuevamente, pero he aprendido a tampoco llegar al burnout y a respetar más las señales que me da mi cuerpo.

Vale más cuidar tu salud general que cualquier trabajo.

Cuídate y quiérete mucho.

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Henrique Mota

Hi, don't feel like that. When I started to work, I lost my job after months, because the company went bankrupt. Since that event I have less resistance to change in my career and that brings a lot of positive things. Take the opportunity o reflect and realize that in a company you work for the company mission, but you should also take the time to work towards your own mission and go towards the direction of your biggest goals.

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Kate Hansen

Thank you so much for writing this. I know we have all felt like this at one time or another, and its so helpful to feel less alone!

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MD Sarfaraj

Thanks for sharing, keep it up.

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Adeyemi Raji

love and light.. i send my warm wishes to you at this difficult moment.. Just pick yourself up at start applying again and you'll get a better job soon.

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Askie Lin

Thank you for your sharing! It's really hard times.
Strong girl ☺️ I wish you all the best! Best wishes from Taiwan.

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Julia 👩🏻‍💻 GDE

Thanks for sharing your story. I wish you all the best 💟

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karawell

Thanks for sharing your feelings, I really understand how difficult this fact it is.
I wish the all the best for you.

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Edwin David

Hey Gabriela, thanks for sharing this post, I took my time to read it all and let me tell you something, there are bad and good days.. it's up to you to decide where you can be , blessings

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Juan Lorenzo Reyes Silva

Espero que encuentres pronto algo que te guste y donde te sientas cómoda. Un abrazo!

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Daneil Pan

Thanks for sharing your story. I am glad you feeling better now. Just hang it there, and good things would eventually come!!!

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Marisa Brantley

Sending plenty positivity and good thoughts your way! One step at a time... it will get better. 💪🤗

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Mark Cwetna

Think of this as an opportunity to grow yourself and find something even better. This has happened to all of us at times in our career. I know it feels hard but trust in yourself

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TUARAN

fighting~

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mhcrocky • Edited

So sad story!!!😪.
If you want you can try upwork.com career.
This is job platform and you can meet good client if you are lucky and have great skill.

Fighting!!!!!!

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Pedro Fortes Gallego

Mark these words, dealing with failures is a very important part of the process. In a year, you Will realize that this experience Will be part of your future success.

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Anurag

I'm with you .