Lifestyle

There I was, a working woman in the city, navigating the delicate dance between passion and practicality, when suddenly, without warning, my job said, “It’s not you; it’s us.” I was redundant. Yes, redundant… a word as painfully dismissive as a partner calling you “too much” or even worst “not enough.” As I stared at my now-empty desk, I couldn’t help but wonder: is redundancy just a corporate breakup in disguise?

The signs were there, of course. Subtle shifts, meetings without my name on the invite, parts of my tasks finding a new home and misleading communications that felt more like first dates gone wrong: polite smiles, forced compliments, but no real substance. Just like those relationships where you start to feel like an accessory instead of a priority, I felt myself slipping into the background, part of the scenery.

Then came the dreaded “it’s over” meeting. I braced myself with the strength people reserve for heartbreaks. There it was: the euphemisms, the delicate phrases, the “business needs have changed” talk, and, of course, the “it’s nothing personal.” But isn’t it always personal when you’re the one being let go?

I left that meeting feeling the pangs of an unceremonious goodbye. Just like a breakup, I cycled through the stages: shock, anger, bargaining, sadness and finally, acceptance. Of course, I found myself wandering down memory lane, retracing the steps of each decision, each conversation, hoping to piece together where things had veered off course, only to realise it would not change a thing.

There’s the post-breakup ritual too: packing up memories, whether they’re mementos of love or, in this case, branded pens, an old birthday card signed by my colleagues and a neglected succulent. Then, there’s the well-meaning advice from friends: “You’ll find something better,” “There are plenty of companies out there,” “It just wasn’t meant to be.” All good intentions, but, oh, the sting.

But as the dust settled, I recalled a piece of wisdom I’d once received: “You can’t control others’ decisions or actions, you can only control how you respond”. And yes, it wasn’t my choice to be redundant, but it was MY choice to rise from it and I started to feel it: the FREEDOM. The end of this “relationship” was, like so many before it, an open door to something new. After all, redundancy doesn’t define our worth, just like a breakup doesn’t define our heart. And with every story shared by friends who’ve been through it, every laugh over coffee with people who’ve loved and lost their own jobs, I realised: redundancy, much like heartbreak, isn’t the end. It’s just another step toward something better.

So, here’s to new beginnings, to dusting off our CVs and to the romantic notion that the right job is out there, waiting for us, one that won’t just hire us but truly appreciate us for who we are. And just like in love, the road may have its twists and turns, but when it clicks, it will be worth every moment.

And I couldn’t help but wonder: maybe, just maybe, redundancy was the best breakup I ever had.

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If you’ve ever faced a setback and wondered how to find your inner strength, tune in to the replay of The Range episode with Virginie the Frenchie from 24/09/24 on Positive affirmations. Together, we’ll explore the power of music and how these simple yet impactful words can uplift, inspire and guide you through life’s changes, big or small.

Author: Virginie Forest

Image: Author’s own