Finding Purpose in the Pause: How to Reset and Reevaluate During a Layoff or Career Transition

"Sometimes when things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place." - Unknown

Being laid off or feeling misplaced a work can leave you reeling.  It's more than a career disruption, it can feel like a hit to your identity, your purpose, and your sense of stability.  But what if this pause is the opening you've been needing.  A chance to reset, reevaluate, and realign with your true passions?

Rather than rushing into the next job or clinging to the familiar out of fear, consider using this time intentionally.  This transition could be your opportunity to build a future fueled by clarity, alignment, and passion.

Step 1: Give Yourself Permission to Pause

Modern culture often pressures us to move fast; to fix, to do, to hustle. But healing and clarity don't happen in a rush.

"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you." Anne Lamott

  Start with rest.  Reflect. Create space for stillness.  Whether it's a long walk, journaling each morning, or simply doing less.  Give yourself room to breathe before jumping to the next thing.

Step 2: Reflect on What Matters Most

Ask yourself:

• What parts of my last role energized me?
• What felt draining or out of alignment?
• When have I felt most fulfilled in my work?
• If I could do anything, without fear or limitation, what would it be?

You don't need all the answers right away.  But asking the right questions opens the door to discovering work that aligns with who you are today.  Not who you were five or ten years ago.

Step 3: Reconnect With Your Passions and Values

This is your chance to reconnect with what lights you up.  The causes, interests, and talents that may have taken a back seat in the busyness of day-to-day life.

Try this exercise:

Draw three columns on a sheet of paper.

Label them:

1. What I'm Good At

2. What I Love Doing

3. What the World Needs

Look for intersections.  That's often where purpose lives.

Step 4: Explore Without Committing (Yet)

Rather than jumping straight into the next job, consider experimenting:

• Volunteer in an industry or role you are curious about.
• Take a course to sharpen or explore new skills.
• Freelance or consult in small ways to test new directions.
• Join communities of like-minded people for inspiration and ideas.

"Don't be afraid to give up the good to go for the great." John D. Rockefeller

Step 5: Create a New Vision

Once you've taken time to reflect and explore, start drafting a vision for your new chapter.

• What does an ideal workday look like?
• What kind of culture or team energizes you?
• What impact do you want to have?

This clarity becomes your filter, helping you say yes to the right things and no to what no longer fits.

Final Thoughts

A layoff or career shakeup can feel like a dead end.  But in truth, it's often a detour toward deeper alignment and greater impact.  Don't rush it.  Give yourself time.  Trust the process. And when you're ready, move forward with purpose:

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.  And the only way to do great work is to love what you do."  Steve Jobs