Episode
100 Days After My Layoff as an Engineer… The Truth
- Published
- Apr 8, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 680
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Summary
It’s been over 100 days since I was laid off from Big Tech after a 25+ year career in the tech industry. What followed wasn’t panic or fear, but something far more complex: a complete rewiring of how I think about work, identity, and purpose. The Shock of Losing More Than a Job At first, the layoff felt surreal. There was a brief period of disorientation like a system crash without an error message. I applied to jobs almost reflexively, not out of desire, but habit. Work had become part of my identity, and without it, I was left asking uncomfortable questions: * Who am I without my job? * What was the point of all those late nights and sacrifices? Even without financial stress (thanks to years of saving and investing), I felt something unexpected: shame . The Hidden Mental Toll of Tech Layoffs Scrolling through LinkedIn only made things worse. Everyone seemed to be thriving getting promoted, starting new roles while I felt left behind. It created a distorted reality where I was the only one “failing.” Reducing social media consumption became a turning point. Slowly, the shame faded. I began to see how much of my self-worth had been tied to external validation. Freedom Feels… Strange With time came an unfamiliar sensation: freedom. But freedom isn’t always comfortable. Without deadlines, pressure, and constant problem-solving, I experienced what I can only describe as stress withdrawal . The absence of challenge felt… empty. So I created my own. * Building side projects * Learning new skills * Creating content * Spending meaningful time with family Redefining Accomplishment In Big Tech, solving high-stakes problems brought intense satisfaction. But it also made everything else feel insignificant. Now, that’s changing. Cooking a great meal for my family. Learning somethi…