I Got Laid Off And It Shattered My Illusion of Safety
Two weeks ago, I got laid off from my 9–5. No warning. No slow ramp down. One day I was leading meetings, the next, I was staring at an “Organizational Update” (group) meeting invite with my name on it.
Now, was I already building something outside of that job? Yes. Was I feeling the itch for something more aligned and more mine? Also yes.
But that doesn’t mean the layoff didn’t impact me…. emotionally, mentally, financially. Because even though I’ve been growing something on the side, that paycheck still felt like the anchor. It was steady, predictable, and “safe.”
Except… it wasn’t.
When “Security” Is Just Familiarity in Disguise
The hardest part wasn’t the layoff itself. It was realizing how much I’d relied on a structure that only seemed secure.
And it made me think… How often do we mistake the familiar for the reliable? The consistent paycheck, the one big client, the marketing channel that’s “always worked.”
The truth? Security isn’t what you have. It’s what you’ve built to withstand the unexpected.
This Shows Up in Business, Too
Working with business owners, I see this all the time:
- Depending on one major client to stay afloat
- Avoiding the numbers because sales feel “fine” (and you don’t like them anyway)
- Skipping the emergency fund because “we’re growing, it’s all good”
- Over-relying on yourself to hold the whole thing together
I get it because I’ve done it. So many of us have.
When you’re juggling a million things, planning for an imaginary emergency doesn’t feel urgent. It feels like a “nice to have” for later. Until it’s not imaginary anymore.
The Safety Net That Actually Works
Here’s one of the most powerful tools I recommend to clients: A cash reserve (or your business’s emergency fund). Think of it like a spare tire. You hope you never need it, but when you do, it keeps you moving.
Just 3-6 months of essential operating expenses. It buys you time, options, and breathing room. And sometimes, that’s everything. Because… while profit grows your business, your cash reserve protects it.
So, Is Your Foundation as Strong as It Looks?
If you’re reading this while juggling your own version of false floors and what-ifs, I hope it serves as a gentle nudge to check your own foundation. Not to scare yourself, but to strengthen it.
Because life will shake the ground sometimes. That’s a given. But you? You get to choose what kind of floor you build beneath your feet.
Want to Strengthen Your Cash Flow? 💡
If this hits a little close to home and you’ve been moving fast, wearing all the hats, and hoping the numbers sort themselves out someday, I want to invite you to something simple, practical, and pressure-free.
👉 We offer a Free Cash Flow Strategy Session to help business owners like you get clear on the money side – what’s coming in, what’s going out, and how to build a more stable financial foundation.
It’s not a sales call. It’s not a lecture. Just a focused, 1:1 conversation about what’s working and any potential red flags. And you’ll walk away with some tips on how you can improve your cash flow right away.
Because you deserve to feel steady. Not just lucky when things go right, but confident even when they don’t.
