Job loss is never easy.
I knew August would be slow. No screenings scheduled, but a lot of communication.
Like many people, I was terminated from my part-time job on July 1st after being affiliated with a company for 18 years. I was very sad and a bit angry when it happened, but the film “Five Friends” has been an important support and distraction for me. I remember that there was one day recently when I was quite depressed and I started calling my male friends or setting time to get together to discuss what had happened to me. Some of my friends had lost their jobs as well.
I can not begin to tell you how important these friends have been for me the last 7 weeks. They have helped me navigate the change in my life with supportive words, humor, caring and siding with me that, “the company was wrong to do this to such a loyal employee.” But I and they can not change the loss of employment, but we can share love between us that heals me and provides me a sense of direction and a feeling that I am still “OK”. It is amazing how insecure you can get when you loose your job. For a man, work is often your identity. I guess I am begining to change my identity.
It is a time to reach out to friends when we get hurt and have our breath punched out of us. But thank goodness we have our friends to rely on – our male friends who get it!
That is where I am now.
Best always
I share this experience as I was laid off from my full time job during late May. It’s a soul punch to one’s identity and the strong bond of friendship and family are important. It’s funny in a strange way that people who don’t really know you will act like you have a disease when you tell them you are unemployed, true friends know what to say (or not) and how to act.
Best wishes to you and the new journey you are undertaking at this time in your life