Laid Off - NOT Letting it Get Me Down!

[themedicinewolf]

I am (was?) and HR rep for a car company here in Virginia Beach. We (they?) have had massive layoffs, reducing our (their? ok ok I'm switching to their) workforce from 750+ to now less than 500, with more layoffs to come. It's a smart business move. The easiest cost to reduce is a payroll cost, but it comes with consequences, namely the human cost. Apparently, even HR is not safe.

My boss had to reduce her staff and so my position was on the list. I was switched from full time to part time earlier this month, so I kinda saw this coming. It made smart business sense for them to switch me to part time before laying me off, because now they only have to pay out part time severance and part time unemployment. Not too shabby on their end, but it's leaving me in the lurch.

Luckily I have a skill that can get me through the rough times. I make jewelry, and have been creating nonstop since I found out the news. It's great, because I can sit down and focus on colors and design and wire wrapping and creating something beautiful rather than "Woe is me!". I could turn this back on the company and hate them for eliminating my position, but I know that nothing is ever created or destroyed, only changed. I am not losing my job, I am just changing positions and companies.

Our family made the decision to move from Virginia Beach (resort town, 200k+ for median home price) and resettle in Houston, TX. My family lives there, and I have a huge network of friends. It will be such a relief to have a babysitter ready and willing to watch the kids! My husband's family here is not so... well I don't want to say not "loving", but we rarely see them and would be hard pressed to get them to watch our kids if we ever need them to. We'll be able to have a 4 bedroom house with a fireplace and a backyard in a great school district. My husband is in law enforcement so he (hopefully) won't have much trouble finding work down there. Right now I'm submitting my application for HR positions in Houston and hoping for a bite.

If I can make it through these hard times, I know anyone can. If people are willing and able to make things work, they will make it! Everyone has the ability to create something. Whether you are good at making spice rubs, carving things out of wood, creating beautiful interior design, stitching pillows or throw rugs, or just making little crafty things, you have the ability to MAKE something with your own two hands. All it takes is a little bit of effort. I am going door to door in my apartment buildings tomorrow to pass out my business cards and let people know about what I do. I am a local artist! Check me out. Once I got past the fear of having people judge me I realized that I really can make this work. Of course I still need to supplement that income with maybe a part time job waiting tables, but you do what you have to in order to feed your family.

I am doing my part, and I feel that is the spirit of entrepreneurship that started this country and has kept it strong. How we deal with the low points in life determines our character more so than how we act when things are going well.

I'm letting my character shine!

[yoshiki56]

Jan. 31, 2009 at 7:44 PM

that's good. stay positive