Post #3545257

2026-07-02 23:25 UTC

I was informed by a key client that it looked like I had been let go by them. This came as a total shock because there was absolutely no warning. They had actually just asked for a new project that I was dreading. After the shock wore off, I realized for the first time in many years, financial security be damned, I would have a lot more freedom to do whatever I wanted. Within hours, I already had an idea of what the next 3-6 months would look like. The future might eventually deliver regret, but for now, I could choose to fear this or embrace it. I chose the latter. It was exhilarating. I sit down at my computer and open my email. Uh, nevermind! I didn't get fired. It was just a paperwork error that caused a system glitch. Well, so much for being high on having "nothing left to lose". Now I had a deadline to chase again. NGL, it was sooooo hard to find the motivation to get started.

Replies (1)

@sysop408@sfba.social 2026-07-02 23:36

I hesitated to post this because I know that there are a lot of people out there who aren't in a life situation where they could choose to see getting fired as a positive thing, but the psychological whiplash I went through was too funny not to share. This happened to me once before. I was at a startup company that was restructuring. If I didn't get a new role by 2pm at the end of the week, I'd be part of the layoffs. I had already seen a bunch of my friends get shown the door. Toward the end of the week I started to accept my fate and by Friday, I was looking forward to it. It was 1pm. I only had one hour left before they'd cut me loose. 1:30pm and my phone hasn't rung. 1:50pm... still nothing. Looks like I'm done. I go to the cafeteria to get something to drink and get ready to say goodbye. I'm quite happy. 1:55pm. My phone rings. I ignore it. I hope it goes away. Same person calls right back. It's my new boss. I'm getting congratulated and welcomed to their team and I'm just like... ugh. Thank you.

Open ##3545256