• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Money & Career

Laid Off? On Forced Funemployment? Now Is The Time To Reset

"My unemployment gave me the opportunity to be present with the ones that I loved... it also created a better version of me," says career coach and author Melissa Fleury.
Laid Off? On Forced Funemployment? Now is The Time To Reset
Career coach and Melissa Fuery.
By Ashley McDonough · Updated December 6, 2020

Let’s face it being laid off feels terrible. In most cases, layoffs often happen without warning, are unplanned and put you in an instant panic about your financial future.

With U.S. unemployment now at a low of 3.6 percent, according to The Department of Labor that still means more than 5 million Americans are currently unemployed experiencing this hardship at this very moment. Some may be worried about those bills due at the end of the month and others may frantically be looking for their next place of employment.

While everyone’s experience with being laid off may vary, experts say that whatever you do: abstain from worry! Which makes sense. Afterall how on earth can you transition into the next productive and intentional phase of your work life panicked and overwhelmed with anxiety? Take a breath and remember now is the best time to hit the reset button.

According to career coach, and author of The Unemployment Guide, Melissa Fleury, the first thing you need to do after becoming unemployed is to relax. Fleury believes you should take this time to really analyze the situation for what it is. 

“Take a moment to decompress. Usually, individuals go into panic mode about finding their next job, being unable to pay their bills, and all the things that come with unemployment. However, it’s hard to come up with a clear game plan if you’re worried, anxious and on edge. Take a few days to settle in and acknowledge what has happened. Don’t rush to fix your situation in the same day.” Fleury says. 

Once you’ve thoroughly analyzed the situation, Fleury believes now is the time to really think about your current financial situation. Set a game plan for the next few months post-employment as well as see what your state offers for those experiencing unemployment. 

“It’s important to understand the details of your severance package (if applicable) and unemployment benefits as outlined by your state. Knowing your expenses over the next few months is important since your income is now limited. Once you create a new financial plan and budget, you can then create your new career plan.”

While that first phase of unemployment is the perfect time to start planning for your future, Fleury also suggests taking these moments to yourself. From childhood to college then straight into the workforce, we rarely have moments to reflect and be present. Many of us spend more time at work then we do our homes; or spend more time with our colleagues then we do our family. You now have time that is yours again. Use it wisely. These are the moments to reflect, relax, travel and ultimately change the trajectory of your life to come. 

“After college, many of us are thrown into work and ‘adulting’ without a break. Unemployment is one of the few moments where you’ll have substantial time for yourself. You’re no longer rushing to meet the demands of a 9 to 5 and now you finally have time for things you couldn’t with your previous job,” says Fleury. “You can only apply to but so many jobs in a day. So be intentional about edifying your mind, body, and spirit. You now have control over your time and how you spend it, so use it to restore those areas that have been deficient.”

In fact, during her own journey of unemployment, Fuery was able to change her entire life, career and relationships. She traveled to places she’s never been, read books that had piled up unopened and even launched a brand new career.

“Believe it or not, I traveled more during that year than in previous years. I wanted to experience as much as I could without the restraints of PTO. All of the books I didn’t have the time to read were finally a priority for me. Creating a consistent workout schedule became my main focus. But most importantly, I had unrushed time to spend with family and friends. My unemployment gave me the opportunity to be present with the ones that I loved. Honestly, my unemployment not only launched my career but also created a better version of me,” Fleury says. 

The truth is, unemployment is not the end all be all. From unemployment comes great enlightenment, use that time to your advantage.

For more on Career Coach and author, Melissa Fleury visit www.thebrandedcareer.com. ‘The Unemployment Guide’ available in stores now. 

TOPICS:  best Black black owned business blackownedbusiness brooklyn Career essence healhaus Lay Off money ny NYC Women Lets Win
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now