Redundancy and the impact it has. Have you been hit by the big R? Have you, or someone you know, been made redundant due to the 'current economic climate'. You may have arrived at work one day to discover that you no longer have a place of work to go to.

We have met many people in the past twelve months who have been in this situation.  They have felt shell shocked by the news that they are no longer needed and even though the decision was made for financial reasons, it still feels like a personal attack. 

So it is important to recognise the psychological impact that redundancy may have on you, your friend or family member.  Suddenly losing a job is a huge shock and peoples' reactions to an event like this are very similar to those who are going through the process of grieving the loss of a loved one.

There are different emotional stages that you may go through when confronted with a dramatic change in your life and it can feel like you are on an emotional rollercoaster that is never going to stop.

Everyone's way of experiencing this loss is unique to them; however some of the normal emotions associated with grief are sadness, anger, guilt and self-reproach, anxiety, loneliness, helplessness, shock, freedom, and relief.

Our way of thinking may be affected by confusion, memory loss, preoccupation with thoughts about the loss, and an inability to concentrate. This may then have an impact on your ability to move forward and get into action.

It is important to know that there is no right way to go through the process of grieving and healing. It is hard work and no one else can do our grieving for us.  Grief work can't be rushed and the way out of grief is to take the time to work through it. And lastly be aware that the hardest kind of grief is the grief that you are experiencing.

On the positive side there are some things that can help you if you have been made redundant or experienced a huge loss:

Talk with a supportive relative, friend or trained counsellor who is able to fully listen and accept your concerns, feeling and actions.

• Keep a journal and write in it daily.  Use this as a place to empty your anger, pain, hurt, joy, and fear.
• Find a place where you are free to fully feel and express whatever you are feeling.  Many people say that being connected to nature helps, for example walking along the beach or in the bush.
• Be creative - draw, write poetry, express yourself through dance, take photos, or sing like no one is watching!
• Take time to explore what you are passionate about in life. 
• Create a list of everything you have left to do in life (your bucket list), prioritise them and start ticking things off one at a time.
• Allow yourself permission to have fun.
• Surround yourself with people who make you smile.  Laughter is a wonderful way to heal the soul.
• Read "Coming to Grief", A Survival Guide to Grief and Loss by Pam Heaney.

By Tracy Keith (career coach) and Virginia Ashcroft (counsellor)

About the author

With Tracy you can be sure that your career goals, whether you're changing jobs mid career or later in life, will be met with a customised career coaching programme. Coaching opens the mind to alternatives, new thinking, solutions and different ways of approaching situations. It is also a time of reflection, self-evaluation and big picture thinking.