I lived a pretty sheltered life when I was young. Every morning, Mom would wake me up with the smell of freshly cooked waffles, scrambled eggs, and orange juice. My lunch box would always be filled to the brim with various snacks and sandwiches, too. Even my clothes would be laid out on the bed by the time I came back to my room after breakfast. And when I became a full-fledged college student, I didn’t need to worry about part-time work or student loans because my parents practically gave me a full-ride scholarship.
However, I decided to make some changes in my life when I got my Bachelor’s degree. I didn’t want to seem like those bratty kids who had been spending all their parents’ hard-earned money just because they could. Although I knew that Mom and Dad would still give me anything I asked from them, that would be too crazy of me. So, I applied for a job and left the nest.
Being A Working Girl
I was lucky to send my application to a company that was specifically looking for fresh graduates. I got a spot as an assistant video producer, which I thought was quite impressive. I was getting more than $2,000 a month, so I could afford a tiny apartment without getting hungry. Because I needed to go to various shooting locations, I found it convenient to get a car on a mortgage. There was a very little amount of money I could save every month, but it was okay since I had a stable job.
The thing was, the Great Depression came in 2008, and the company I worked for was too small to survive. After three months, the bosses announced that they filed for bankruptcy and that we would only be able to work there with pay for 30 days.
My mind started reeling in that instant. I was facing a job loss, and I couldn’t move. I knew what I had to do – get a filing box to stuff all my desk items in and look for another job – but it was as if the news bolted my feet in the ground. That’s when I realized how afraid I was of losing my job.
Fear Of Job Loss
I couldn’t precisely remember the procession of events after the announcement, but I found myself in my apartment in the evening, talking to my sister on the phone. Not only was she my best friend, but she also happened to be a psychologist. I was fairly certain that my sister would know the right words to say to me.
And I was right. When my litany ended, my sister said, “Take deep breaths now. Your fear of job loss is real, but you don’t want your mental health issue to muddle your brain – not now when you technically have to apply for a new job again.”
I replied, “I don’t know what happened to me. I never experienced this until now. Why?”
My sister explained, “It is more normal than you can imagine. That’s especially true these days because of the Great Depression. People feel scared of getting laid off and finding themselves without a dime in their pockets.”
“So, what should I do?” I asked.
Dealing With Fear Of Job Loss
Face Your Fears
The main problem was that I wanted to avoid losing my job. Little did I know, it was causing my fears to grow, to the extent that it started eating me alive.
My sister encouraged me to face my problems early. The company’s bankruptcy was real, and there’s no other way to hide it. But even if I had to force myself to face my fears, I could say that it served me well, considering it helped me visualize my future more clearly.
Make A Backup Plan
On that same night, my sister ordered me not to sleep until I had a backup plan. She said, “It doesn’t have to be concrete; you just need to have an idea of what you’ll do with your life once your company falls apart.”
Sure enough, when the D-Day came, I was among the few employees who did not become hysterical when the bosses announced that our time was up. I merely packed my belongings and left.
Learn To Accept It
Yes, nothing else can help you deal with the fear of job loss other than yourself. Any of your family members can enumerate the number of reasons why you should accept your pending unemployment. But be honest – will you listen to them?
When you learn to accept the situation, your fears may begin to dissipate, to the extent that you’ll find the courage to look for another job soon.
Final Thoughts
Since you are reading my blog now, I should let you know that I survived the Great Depression. The journey was rough, considering I lost my job in the process, but it was understandable. I got back on my feet and turned to business ventures, so there was no chance for me to feel scared of job loss again.+
