Just got laid off? This is the best day of your (new) life.

In late 2018, I got laid off.

I was the Head of Sales and then the Head of Brand + Content for Remote Year, a venture-backed travel start-up that takes remote professionals on trips around the world. One of our investors was actually an early WeWork executive, so we felt a kindred bond with you. I was a very early employee and at the time, was absolutely shocked about the layoff alongside nearly my entire team.

Looking back, getting laid off was the best thing that ever happened to me. 

In the last year I...

// Completed a yoga teacher training and got hired to teach yoga (and consult) at two different ecolodges in Sri Lanka

// Launched a coaching business, built a high-ticket coaching bootcamp and saw deep transformation in my clients

// Traveled throughout Indonesia, Thailand, Asia and Mexico 

// Moved back to my home city of Chicago and signed my first lease after 5 years traveling the world (because I wanted to)

// Collaborated and co-hosted almost 10 beautiful events with other healers, coaches and wellness experts

// Met with handfuls of healers from all over the world for my own personal growth 

// Fell in love 

I loved my job at Remote Year. I loved the people I worked with. I felt truly spoiled to be able to work remotely from all over the world. I grew so much. I built a team that I was immensely proud of. And I was truly living my purpose. 

When I got laid off, I had already lived out so many of my dreams. I had taken big risks and made drastic career pivots. I had traveled the world, worked remotely from dozens of coworking spaces, became a leader of a brilliant, big team. 

But, when asked the question, ‘if you could do anything, what would you do?’, there was one thing that was calling my name.

Starting my own thing. 

I wanted to feel what it felt like to be my own boss.

To put full trust in myself.

To see what I could create.

I wanted to build something that was really mine.

I thought about it all the time. I launched test websites. I discussed ideas with friends. But,I doubt I would have left on my own. 

Had I not been laid off, few of those experiences would have happened this year. Experiences that I am eternally grateful for. Experiences that I know are allowing me to continue to fulfill my purpose and have an impact on the world. 

So to those of you who were affected by the WeWork Layoffs, I write this to give you hope. If you let it, it will open doors to what you are truly meant to be doing. Maybe you feel ready for a fresh start, maybe you don’t. However you feel, you get to decide what you do next. Open your heart, believe in yourself, and take one step closer to your #purpose. 

You’ll be more than okay, I promise.