Is it Normal to Feel Depressed after Losing Your Job?

By Sandy Prock M.Ed., JCTC, Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com

Yes, it can be. Depression after losing your job or an impending job loss can feel like the pits. You may feel like you want to immediately run away from these difficult feelings. Well-meaning friends or relatives may not want to hear your tales of woe and encourage you to just get on with it, think positive and all will work out for the best. Yes, things will work out for the best, but first order of business is to clean out the old to prepare for the new. Just like we need to clean out our closets, or weed our gardens, we need to weed out our negative thoughts and feelings of loss.

What are the practical steps you can take to move through your depression be open for the next chapter in your life? One proven method is to journal. Scientists have proven that when we are able to express our thoughts and feelings in a concrete way such as writing about them, we benefit in physical and mental ways. If you want more detailed information read “Opening Up” by James Pennebaker. His book includes scientific studies and is an interesting read.

The first step is to release all your honest thoughts and feelings. You can do that by writing in your journal or use your computer to record exactly how you feel. At this stage, it is imperative to be honest, with the intention and desire to understand how you feel and to identify and know what you are thinking. Write about where you feel depressed in your body. What thoughts are ruminating inside your mind? Get it all out. Expressing yourself in this concrete way through writing is the beginning of finding your personal answers. In addition, this kind of personal expression creates better physical health, turning on healing hormones in your body. Writing does you great good.

As you write, and empty your mind and heart of your thoughts and feelings, you open room for new insights and understanding to form.

When you find your own answers from your own inner wisdom, this new and vital “AHA!” helps you to create your next step and take you in the direction of landing your new job.

The next step in the process after you have cleared out your feelings, is to imagine what you want in your next job. We will discuss that in another blog. In the meantime, you can start moving forward by doing this important inner work first.

If you do this work and you continue to feel depressed, take the courageous step of finding professional help or talk with a trusted friend or pastor. Do what you have to do. It does hurt to lose a job!

When you are ready, make sure your resume and cover letter make you stand out from the crowd. It has never been more important to put your best-polished foot forward! Make sure all your job search documents are the best they can be. These important documents, if done well, can be one of your greatest allies.

Sandy Prock M.Ed., JCTC, Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com