I Lost My Job... Now What?

2025 just hist me with the first plot twist: I lost my 9-5.

If you’ve ever had your life flip upside down overnight, you know the feeling: the gut-wrenching mix of panic, freedom, and the terrifying question... Now what?

For me, that moment arrived at 3 AM, when I had a sinking feeling that something was off. Hours later, my boss confirmed it, I was being let go. As an immigrant, my job wasn’t just a paycheck; it was a piece of my identity, my security, and a huge part of how I navigated life in a new country. Losing it felt like losing a chunk of myself.

But here’s the thing: sometimes losing what we think we need is the push we actually need.

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Losing a Job

The moment I walked out of that office, I expected devastation, but instead, I felt something unexpected: relief. Sure, the grief was there. I mean, I had built my routine, my sense of self, and even my social circles around this job. But under the shock, there was a strange kind of freedom.

At first, the societal pressure hit me hard. Who am I without my job title? Without a stable paycheck? Without a clear plan? But here’s what I learned in the messy, uncomfortable, and (dare I say?) exciting weeks that followed:

• Your job does not define who you are. Is just something you do
• Change, no matter how scary, is also an opportunity.
• Losing security forces you to build something new—and maybe even better.

Navigating Life After My 9-5 Ended

So, what did I do next?

First, I let myself feel all the things: the grief, the anxiety, the tiny spark of excitement. I journaled. I cried in my car. I went to therapy. And then, I did what any podcast-obsessed entrepreneur would do… I hit record.

That’s how Now, What? was born. My personal audio journal series where I take you along for the ride as I navigate this massive transition in real time. No polished success stories here (yet). Just the real, raw, unfiltered, sometimes messy but always honest reality of figuring out what’s next.

So… Now, What?

Now, I’m leaning into what I love—helping people share their voices through podcasting. I’m turning this unexpected career shift into an opportunity to build something of my own. And you know what? I finally feel aligned.

If you’re going through your own Now, What? moment… whether you lost a job, changed careers, or just feel stuck, I see you. And I promise, there’s something on the other side of this uncertainty that might just be better than what you left behind.

Listen to the Episode

Want to hear the full story? In this episode, I share:

🎙️ The moment I knew I was getting fired (at 3 AM)
🎙️ How I processed the shock, grief, and relief 
🎙️ Why my identity felt tied to my job—and what happens next
🎙️ What I’m doing now to take control of my future

And if you’re thinking about launching a podcast during your own transition, grab my FREE guide to launch yours in 5 weeks!

Let’s navigate these Now, What? moments together. 💜

xo,

Mafe

🔗 Listen here: I Lost My Job… Now What? Processing, Grieving, and Moving Forward