Current:Home > MyBeing in-between jobs is normal. Here's how to talk about it-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Being in-between jobs is normal. Here's how to talk about it
View Date:2024-12-23 20:02:56
Difficult bosses, career changes, potential layoffs. From the logistical to the emotional, work can be full of challenging situations and dynamics.
And often, it can be hard to know who to turn to when dealing with career obstacles.
That's why Life Kit asked Payal Shah, a certified career and personal empowerment coach from Embrace Change, to answer a Life Kit listener's question about how to talk with friends and family about a career shift in their life. We're only using the listener's first name to protect their livelihood and career opportunities.
Resisting a work-centered culture
I recently went on medical leave from my job due to mental health issues, and after a few months, I decided I couldn't continue working there and resigned. I'm looking for a new career start and working through options. It has been a liberating but anxiety-inducing time that I know was the right move for me.
While I'm enjoying the break, I'm having difficulty talking about my situation with friends and family, given how work-centric our culture has become. How can I talk about my in-between career state without inducing shame or criticism and make the most of this time off for self-discovery? – Kara
________________________________________
Firstly, congratulations on listening to yourself and making a courageous move in line with your values and well-being. I'm glad that the journey since your leave has felt liberating, and at the same time, it's normal to experience anxiety and other emotions in the process.
I hear you on the difficulty of sharing your journey with others, given they may not understand – or possibly even agree – with your chosen path. Years ago, after I left my corporate job and embarked on a transition period, I sometimes felt like I got blank stares from family and friends as I shared what I was up to. I ended up chalking it up to them not knowing how to relate to my situation, as it differed from the traditional pathways they encountered that fit into their worldview.
And that's the first piece of guidance I'll offer to you on this: The reactions and responses you may be receiving could very likely be due to others not knowing how to relate to you and your current life journey, thus leading them to fall back on old models of thinking in an attempt to relate.
Additionally, if you sense judgment coming from others, remember it's from them making interpretations through their own life filters. Can you take what is valuable feedback for yourself and leave the rest aside?
I also want you to look at how you feel about the change: How do you feel when you share your news? Are you coming from a place of apology, uncertainty or lack of confidence? Or enthusiasm and conviction? Know that people may respond differently to different energies, and the energy and emotions behind our words may play a role in how others react to us and how we respond to them.
Lastly, you're on a courageous path, and I applaud you for embarking on it! I encourage you to see what shows up as you continue to honor and listen to yourself – the clarity and conviction born out of this journey will be your own! – Payal Shah
More of your work questions answered
Four questions to ask yourself if you're considering going back to school. When is more education required to advance your career? A professional career coach weighs in with questions to consider before going back to school.
How do I get my boss to stop talking about politics at work? When a boss finds out they have differing political outlooks, he treats his employee differently. A career coach weighs in on what to do.
We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]. Listen to Life Kit on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or sign up for our newsletter.
veryGood! (15)
Related
- Driver dies after crashing on hurricane-damaged highway in North Carolina
- A man fights expectations in 'I'm So Glad We Had This Time Together'
- Babies born March 2 can get a free book for Dr. Seuss Day: Here's how to claim one
- As 40,000 points nears, see how LeBron James' stats dwarf others on NBA all-time scoring list
- Tesla Cybertruck modifications upgrade EV to a sci-fi police vehicle
- Yosemite National Park shuts down amid massive winter storm: 'Leave as soon as possible'
- Train derailment leaves cars on riverbank or in water; no injuries, hazardous materials reported
- New Giants manager Bob Melvin gets his man as team strikes deal with third baseman Matt Chapman
- 'America's flagship' SS United States has departure from Philadelphia to Florida delayed
- ACL injury doesn't have to end your child's sports dream. Here's 5 tips for full recovery
Ranking
- Advance Auto Parts is closing hundreds of stores in an effort to turn its business around
- A man fights expectations in 'I'm So Glad We Had This Time Together'
- Queen Camilla Taking a Break From Royal Duties After Filling in for King Charles III
- Trove of ancient skulls and bones found stacked on top of each other during construction project in Mexico
- Missing Ole Miss student declared legally dead as trial for man accused in his death looms
- New Jersey businessman pleads guilty and agrees to cooperate in case against Sen. Bob Menendez
- Menendez brothers await a decision they hope will free them
- Train derailment leaves cars on riverbank or in water; no injuries, hazardous materials reported
Recommendation
-
‘Heretic’ and Hugh Grant debut with $11 million, but ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ tops box office again
-
New Giants manager Bob Melvin gets his man as team strikes deal with third baseman Matt Chapman
-
Rihanna Performs First Full Concert in 8 Years at Billionaire Ambani Family’s Pre-Wedding Event in India
-
Manatee stamps coming out to spread awareness about threatened species
-
How to protect your Social Security number from the Dark Web
-
Jax Taylor Breaks Silence on Separation From Brittany Cartwright
-
The IRS is sending 125,000 compliance letters in campaign against wealthy tax cheats
-
In Georgia, a bill to cut all ties with the American Library Association is advancing