Reclaiming Direction: How to Find Clarity in Redundancy
A personal look at navigating redundancy - from uncertainty and setbacks to finding clarity and a new sense of direction.
Redundancy has a funny way of pausing your life mid-sentence.
All of a sudden, the emails stop, the calendar clears, and the phone stops ringing. The familiar whirlwind of deadlines, meetings, and daily commutes come to a standstill - and everything seems to fall eerily quiet.
Worst of all, the sense of purpose that you unknowingly wrapped around your work begins to quietly unravel - until all you are left with is a blank page and a pen. Nudged into a new chapter that you had never planned to start writing. Or at least, not so soon.
I know this feeling all too well, having been made redundant back in March of this year. And while there was a sense of long-awaited relief, it still came with a wave of heartbreak, anxiety, and a foggy uncertainty about the future. Like most heartache, though, time helps to heal the wounds, and in the stillness that follows, clarity begins to surface. Not all at once, and not without some emotional turbulence along the way, but slowly, through reflection, self-care, and small steps that help bring you back to yourself.
In this article, drawing from my own experience, I want to share with you some tips and advice on how to navigate the rough waters of redundancy - and how to keep focused on the light at the end of the tunnel.
Small Steps to Help You Move Through Redundancy
1. Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself
First things first, you are not alone.
This year, the UK experienced a significant surge in redundancies, with one in four employers planning job cuts in the first half of 2025. This marks the highest level of redundancy in the past decade (excluding the pandemic) with key contributing factors including the rise in National Insurance contributions (NICs) and the increase in the National Minimum Wage.
Consequently, we are now facing a particularly challenging job market with high competition and limited opportunities. After sending what feels like countless applications - and getting ghosted by most - it’s easy to put a lot of pressure on yourself and question why you’re not seeing any results.
It’s important to remember that you - your skills, your worth, your value - are never redundant. Losing a job does not diminish who you are or your skillset, but rather, it gives you a chance to reevaluate what you want and which route you’d like to explore next.
There’s some comfort in knowing you’re not the only one going through these difficulties. So, when an email filled with bad news lands in your inbox, try to remind yourself it’s not personal - and to keep pushing forward.
2. Rewrite with Reflection
What’s the first thing you do when you’re made redundant? You update your CV.
In times as stressful as redundancy, it’s easy to rush into it - quickly tweak the CV, send it out to every job going, and hope something sticks. While securing a new role is important, it’s equally crucial first to take a moment to reflect on what you’ve achieved so far, where you are now, and where you want to go next.
So, when you sit down to update your CV, take it as an opportunity for reflection. Look back at the achievements you’re most proud of, the challenges you’ve overcome, the skills you’ve learned, and the growth that you may not have noticed until now. It’s incredible to look back and see what you’ve accomplished, especially after working for so long on autopilot.
Redundancy may be incredibly difficult, but it does offer a rare opportunity for us to rewrite our journey - to give you that unexpected push forward. Use this to shift the focus from what you’ve lost to what you still have to offer. You may even realign with ambitions that you’ve put on hold.
Don’t underestimate the power of self-reflection, as it might just move you toward something that feels a lot more purposeful.
3. Find Peace in a Hobby
I found myself taking up running, which helped to clear my head and keep me active.
When everything else feels uncertain, grounding yourself in something you love will bring a sense of calm and stability.
It will also do wonders for your wellbeing.
Whether it’s painting, running, journaling, or simply going for walks, carving out time for a hobby helps you to stay connected to yourself outside of the stress of job hunting. It gives you a healthy break from daily pressures, reminding you that you’re more than just a simple job title.
Personally, I found myself taking up running, blogging, and painting, all of which gave me both active and creative outlets to channel some energy. My worries melted into jogs, my jumbled thoughts became published articles, and my stress blended into soft paintstrokes. For a moment, the anxiety quietened and a sense of direction began to form.
Pictured: One of my recently commissioned paintings.
I even began selling commissioned paintings - something I never thought I’d have the time or confidence to pursue. That’s the funny thing about redundancy - despite its challenges, it opened up a new avenue that I had never before considered. During such a difficult period, being able to bring people joy by capturing a special moment for them in colour felt incredibly meaningful, and reminded me of the value I still had to give.
So, take up that hobby, release some energy, and even explore something new - you never know where it might lead.
4. Protect Your Routine (Even if It’s Small)
Routine is crucial.
Transitioning from a busy, structured 9-to-5 routine to having no routine at all can be a real shock to the system. Suddenly, you have nowhere to be and no set schedule to follow, which can leave you feeling unmoored and uncertain about how to fill your days.
The best way to adjust is to set yourself a routine, even if it’s small. That’s why it helps to create simple habits, such as getting up at the same time each morning, going outside for some fresh air, or simply setting aside a moment for a well-needed cuppa.
You can even set yourself some small goals for the day, or write a list of things to do so you have a sense of direction - no matter how simple the tasks may be. This could be something as straightforward as going for a walk, updating your CV, or sending out some applications.
Taking steps in the right direction, no matter how small, will help you gain a sense of control and momentum needed in what feels like a turbulent time.
5. Lean Into Your Support
I hate to admit it, but redundancy can feel very isolating.
Sometimes it feels as if your world has come to a halt, while everyone else rushes past you with unwavering focus and a sense of direction. It’s hard to shake the feeling that you’re being left behind.
I’ve often described it as feeling like a cloud, floating aimlessly as the wind nudges you forward, but toward no place in particular. Slightly lost.
It’s in these moments that you should lean on the people around you. Talk about how you’re feeling, share your situation, and let others in. It’s so easy to slip into the mindset of handling everything alone, but you don’t have to. There is strength in asking for help, and redundancy is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
It’s a hard market right now, and there are people to help you - whether that’s your friends, family, or even professional support. Career coaches and counsellors can also provide guidance and help you with forming your next steps.
Don’t forget to reach out to people - meet up with friends, go for a coffee, or simply have a chat. Connection is so important in times like these!
6. Reframe Redundancy as Redirection
The key thing I’ve learnt from my experience is that redundancy is not the be-all and end-all.
In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
Redundancy only feels like the end - a sudden stop that leaves you uncertain of what comes next. The beauty is, you now get the opportunity to ask yourself: What do I really want? What do I want to pursue?
Of course, it doesn’t come without grief. There will be setbacks, moments of doubt, and countless disappointments. You might not even get exactly what you’d hoped for. But, the path doesn’t become clear easily - I’m still trying to carve out my own. What matters is consistency, patience, and showing up for yourself even when you don’t feel like it.
Instead of seeing redundancy as a loss, try to reframe it as redirection: an opportunity to pause, reassess, and choose a new path that better aligns with your skills, passions, and goals. This shift in perspective doesn’t erase the difficulties, but it can help you move forward with a sense of purpose and possibility.
For a while, I knew I wanted to take the leap, to jump into something new. For me, redundancy was the push that I needed. As difficult as it is, it can be the catalyst that finally permits you to pursue what you’ve been holding back on.
Redundancy isn’t the end - it’s only just the beginning.
