Renovation

Getting laid off as a remote worker is just as disorienting as any layoff but with an added twist. You don't involuntarily separate from the space where you work; you only involuntarily separate from the company where you work.

Recently, I found myself in this situation. The layoff hit and my office space was still on the second floor of my house. It felt haunted. I avoided going in that room for so long that the English ivy plant on my desk wilted and died. (Plant people are sharing a collective gasp right now.)

Instead of boarding up the door and abandoning it forever, I started a renovation. I took that room down to the subfloor. I tore up the trim, removed the textured ceiling, trashed the carpet and pad, took out frustration on tack strips, and sanded walls. This process and the work of demolition before renovation felt great!

Before home office renovation.

Then, I started the rebuild with spackling, sanding, painting, installing new light fixtures and outlets, installing underlayment and flooring, and nailing down new trim. There are only a few bits and pieces left to wrap up, and I move back into it tomorrow!

I love my home office again. Spending that time in that room disconnected that space from the company and emotions related to being laid off. During all this hard work, I was also working on abstracting my passion for leadership, which I still love, from the company where I used to work.

After home office renovation

Something could be helpful here in processing a layoff for other remote workers. You don't have to tear down your home office, but consider reclaiming the space in your way—whether by changing up artwork, investing in a new office chair, rearranging the furniture, or staking a claim in a different spot in the house.

Taking control and acting on the things I can change is empowering. This tactic has helped me navigate and accept situations that have barged into my life without asking.

I hope this will help the many I have seen in my network who are in a similar situation. I wish you all the best of luck in finding your next opportunity to share your passion and skills - I'm rooting for you! 👏