Navigating Change
Like many in Higher Education and beyond, I find myself facing an unexpected and difficult change. I’ve been made redundant. It’s tough. Across the sector, talented, hardworking professionals are finding themselves in similar situations through no fault of their own. And now it’s my turn.
Writing this post has taken more courage than I expected. Sometimes, showing strength or optimism on the outside feels at odds with what’s going on inside, showing more positivity than I probably feel but honesty, connection, and community matter more than ever at times like this.
Redundancy isn’t just about losing a job; it affects confidence, mental health, financial security, professional pride, and family relationships. Too often, people who have given their all to their roles are now left questioning what’s next. If that’s you, I see you. I stand with you.
I’ve been here before. Let me tell you: it never gets easier. It’s never routine, never something you grow used to. Redundancy is always a shock. It’s always personal, no matter how often you’re told not to take it that way or how often you’ve been given positive feedback. It disrupts your sense of purpose, your plans, and your stability. It’s stressful, disorienting, exhausting. And it forces you into survival mode often for an anxiety-inducing, uncertain length of time.
To those in similar circumstances, whether you’re searching for a new role, adjusting to uncertainty, or just trying to process what’s happened, know that this does not define you. Your skills, experience, and contributions still matter. And while this is a difficult chapter, it is just that: a chapter, not the whole story.
For those in my network, if you know of opportunities in areas such as Higher Education leadership, digital learning, learning technology, pedagogy, student experience, or educational innovation, I’d love to hear from you. My skills are not limited to this; let’s explore where I can use them to support your business growth.
If you’re also navigating redundancy, let’s connect and support each other. Let’s commit to sharing posts, updates, and job opportunities we come across because even if a role isn’t right for us, it might be perfect for someone else. A small act of sharing could make a huge difference to someone’s future.
To anyone else putting on a brave face right now, trying to stay positive when it feels anything but that, know that you’re not alone in that, either. Some days, just showing up is enough, and you can be proud of that.
The image I’m sharing with this post says, “You didn’t come this far to only come this far”. It’s a reminder I’m holding close right now. Every challenge, every step, and every setback has brought me here, not to stop but to keep going. And while this time is tough, it’s not the end of the story. For me and for all of us navigating uncertainty, there is still more to come. And we are more than ready for it.
We’re stronger together.
[Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash]
