I Was Laid Off During COVID-19

On March 23rd, I was laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is with much humility and gratitude that I share this news but in hopes to create a conversation around what many of us are facing right now, I wanted to share. I adored where I worked and was alongside the absolute dream team on the front lines of emerging fashion. It’s hard to say goodbye to such a great company and family of co-workers but I refuse to do anything but look forward to the next chapter with optimism. With all of that being said, no one really is prepared to all of a sudden be out of a job. Unkowning to how long this would last, what the end to all of this looked like, and what we as a community were up against pushed many companies to do a wave of lay offs. The harsh reality of that is leaving millions jobless and without any income in a scary time. It’s hard coming to terms with where we are right now and being without a job until who knows when, competing with who knows how many when it all begins to return to “normal.”

In an odd way, I do find some comfort feeling like I’m not the only one navigating these trying times. Many people I know lost their jobs and understandably many of the small businesses I love and admire are facing serious challenges to stay ahead of the curve. In different ways, everyone is feeling this pandemic and my heart weighs heavy knowing how deep it really goes.

Right now and day to day, I constantly feel like I am simultaneously under reacting and over reacting at the same time. It’s scary to think our lives will be so far disrupted that we, as a society, will have a new normal coming out the other side. My hope is that this time can positively effect our thinking and later refuse to take the little things for granted. For me, this pause on life couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s been nice to get back to the basics and pick back up my good habits that contribute to a positive and healthy mind, body, and soul for myself. Life got so busy, I forgot about me. So I might be going through it in some ways and could sit in my anxiety till it drowns me or I can work a little each day on creating new healthy habits to bring with me in our new normal. I’ll have a post coming soon about what I’ve been doing in quarantine and simple but effective habits you can add to your life to feel fuller too!

This is a scary time as a community, nation, and world but I hope in this time we can recognize that the only way out of it is with each other and maybe some rose colored glasses when needed! I don’t know about you but what keeps me looking positive on this whole thing. We are all in this, united, together. 

What now?

Glad you asked.

To be fair, I don’t have a plan and I’m not sure who does right now. And that’s okay. Things are changing daily so if you’re like me, planning might make you more anxious in some situations. For me, things not going to plan or what I set up in my head, is harder for me to get past than just taking things as they come and adapting.

So here I am, sitting in the unknown just doing what is good for me in the moment. Some days that’s going on daily walks, eating well and cooking, writing, reading, and working out. Some days it’s spending the whole day on the couch binging a new show. Of course there’s a balance but I think what is important is to let yourself have those days of relaxation and not punish yourself for it. It’s a weird time and we’re all in new territory trying to get through.

There’s so much pressure to make something of this time at home. But I hope you give yourself some space to just be present and relax. This time can be a gift if you want to see it that way — take advantage of it. Pick up some healthy habits that will carry you into your new normal at the end of all this. Get back to the basics that set you up for a healthy mind, body, and soul. This is the time to really figure out what that is, so take advantage of this pause. Who knows the next time you’ll get this opportunity…

I’ll be regularly posting on the blog for self-help routines through the quarantine, best skin care, latest good sales to distract you, at home workouts, and so much more. Click here to sign up for the newsletter to receive new posts by email!

Talk soon!

XOXO,

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Comments

  1. Pam Riegel says

    What great insight and thoughts on this scary situation for all! I enjoyed reading it! It seems crazy to “Simultaneously feel like we are under reacting and over reacting at the same time”, but I think that is a common thought by many. I was thinking the same thing as I was walking out of the hospital this morning after my shift. We have six tents set up waiting for the influx of patients possibly yet to come. Time will tell. Stay healthy Ashley! Look forward to reading more!
    Pam Riegel

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