Issue #4 — Reclaim the Narrative

Hey friend,

It’s easy to feel like a layoff tells the world a story you didn’t choose: that you weren’t needed, that you lost, that something went wrong.

But that story isn’t the truth. And it’s definitely not the whole story.

So this week, I want to zoom in on something that gets skipped way too often: how to talk about your layoff. Online. In interviews. With friends. With yourself.

Because if you don’t own the narrative, someone else will.

I pulled insights from four powerful essays to help you do just that. Let’s get into it.

🎯 Reclaim the Narrative in 5 Moves

1. Acknowledge the stigma—then flip it

Layoff stigma is real. As CareerPowerUP puts it, “layoffs are seen as scars on resumes.” But scars mean survival. They mean you made it through.

You don’t need to pretend it didn’t happen. Just say it clearly and move forward:

This isn’t about faking optimism. It’s about showing clarity.

The story isn’t "I lost my job." The story is: "I learned, I contributed, and I’m ready for what’s next."

👉 You can read more about how to flip the script and write your own layoff story in the full CareerPowerUP post here.

2. Build your personal brand like a career CEO

A former Prezi employee told Business Insider that getting laid off pushed her to bet on something she’d neglected: her own brand.

What does that mean?

• Share what you're learning.

• Post mini-lessons, reflections, or side projects.

• Speak about what excites you in your industry.

Your brand is more than a headline on LinkedIn. It’s the feel people get when they see your name.

This doesn’t require a huge audience. Just consistency. A few thoughtful posts go a long way.

👉 Her full story offers even more on brand-building, mindset shifts, and career design—read it here.

3. Be the CEO of your career

Same Prezi alum, same message: "After the layoff, I started acting like the CEO of my own career."

What would a CEO do?

• Audit your strengths and growth areas.

• Set real goals for where you want to go.

• Make a plan for networking, learning, and visibility.

And when rejection hits (because it will), you don’t spiral. You adapt. CEOs don’t quit when the market dips. They regroup.

So what’s your Q3 strategy?

👉 More on this self-leadership mindset in that same BI piece.

4. Relationships over résumés

You don’t need 1,000 cold applications. You need 5 warm connections.

That same BI story talked about how personal connections were what led her to her next opportunity—not a perfect resume.

Start here:

• Reach out to old teammates and let them know what you're looking for.

• Ask friends in your industry if they know of openings.

• Offer to help others. Give to get.

Most people want to help. But they can’t if they don’t know what you need.

Visibility isn’t self-promotion. It’s how the right people find you.

👉 The article gives even more concrete examples of how she networked her way back.

5. Reclaim your space (and your confidence)

A layoff shakes more than your income. It can rattle your confidence, your rhythm, your sense of self.

One writer on Serenova’s blog shared how clearing her desk—just physically cleaning it—was the reset she needed.

So if your head's spinning, start small:

• Clean a corner of your room.

• Create a new morning ritual.

• Write down three career wins you’re proud of.

These small acts are not trivial. They remind your nervous system: you’re still in control.

👉 Read her full journey (and get more micro-strategies for rebuilding confidence) here.

💬 Here's the new script

Want to post on LinkedIn but don’t know what to say? Try this:

Short. Clear. Actionable. No fluff.

Let people see you—not just your job loss.

🔁 TL;DR: Reclaim the Narrative

1. Say it simply. No shame. No spin.

2. Build your brand with posts, projects, and reflections.

3. Think like a CEO—set strategy, adapt fast.

4. Network with heart. Ask for help. Offer it too.

5. Start small to rebuild your confidence. The story continues.

🎯 THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE

Each week we end with one simple, uncomfortable, powerful step. Here’s yours:

➡️ Write your new narrative in three sentences.

Use the structure from the LinkedIn script above. Write it down—even if you’re not ready to post it yet. Say it out loud. Let it become real.

If you're feeling brave, share it on LinkedIn and tag someone who’s helped you through this season.

🔥 FUEL FOR THE WEEK

Here’s one quote and one resource to keep you grounded:

Listen:

🎧 Financial Feminist Podcast — What to Do When You Get Laid Off

Still the GOAT of layoff recovery episodes. Grounding. Practical. No fluff.

📚 Resources

Want to dig deeper? Here are all the links from this issue plus a couple more to help you take back the story.

• ✍️ Flip the Script on Layoff Stigma and Reclaim Your Narrative — CareerPowerUP

• 🧭 I Was Blindsided by My Tech Layoff — These 3 Lessons Helped Me Bounce Back — Business Insider

• 🧹 Rebuilding Confidence After a Layoff: My Story and 6 Practical Tips — Serenova Blog

• 🎧 What to Do When You Get Laid Off (Financial Feminist Podcast) — Her First 100K

• 🛠️ How to Own Your Career Story After a Layoff — Harvard Business Review

🙋‍♀️ HIRING FROM THE COMMUNITY

Coming soon! We’ll be sharing job leads from trusted folks once they start rolling in.
👉 Submit a lead →

💬 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

If you’ve recently been laid off and want visibility, we’d love to spotlight you.
👉 Fill out this short form →

📬 What’s Coming Next

In future issues, you’ll get:

• Layoff roundups

• Job leads from the community

• Templates + tools

• Survivor stories

• Mindset shifts

• Alternative income ideas

• And more quick wins like this one

This is just the beginning. We’re building something real here — together.

✌️ Until Next Week

Getting laid off doesn’t define you. But how you talk about it can change everything.

Speak it. Shape it. Own it.

Keep going.
Keep breathing.
You’ve got this.

— Win
Fellow layoff survivor, creator of Let Go Weekly