It’s been an interesting start to 2023 with layoffs happening left and right, even at mega companies letting go of thousands of employees at once. Layoffs often happen in the blink of an eye without any time to plan, and that’s proved true for those who lost access to everything in an instant. 

But alas, I too haven’t been spared, with reductions in hours with some of my clients. I’ve often said that consulting is less risky in some ways – I’m fortunate to have the benefit of out clauses and notice periods as well as multiple clients rather than only one. 

I was recently talking to a colleague about the state of the job market amidst all of the layoffs happening, and how it seems like its been talked about for months that a recession is coming. He called it a plan-cession, and how true that is.

Another colleague’s role is coming to an end this month, along with the future of the company itself. I so admire her because she’s using the opportunity to go back to school to follow her dreams. The easier thing might be to begin applying for jobs and going back to the corporate grind. But not her. She’s taking this moment to pursue what she really wants to be doing. I can only feel proud of her making that leap. 

Now that my time is freeing up, the logical thing to do would be to start prospecting and find new clients to replace the time that I’ve lost.

Instead, I’m thinking about what’s important to me. I want to go for walks and spend time with my puppy playing in the yard. I want to go to the weekly women’s Bible study at my church. I want to meet friends for coffee or lunch.

I’m lucky I don’t need to work five days each week. I don’t need to work 8 to 10 hours a day. Now is my time to step back and think about what matters, about how I want to fill my time.

It’s very easy to fall into what you could be doing or what you think you should be doing, but it’s okay to change course. It’s okay to give yourself the opportunity to breathe for a moment. Think about what you really want to be doing or what will make you happy. 

My time is opening up, but it’s still full. I’m spending more time outside with Samurai, I’m finally working on my travel website again and I’m building a new website for our pet sitters so we can travel with peace of mind with our service exchange.

2023 is full of possibilities. Allow change to open yourself up to something new!