Rebuilding After A Life Disruption
- Rhaea Goff
- Mar 12
- 3 min read
There is a lot going on in the world. When I do read the news, I see stories about layoffs, breakups, career changes, relocations, shared living arrangements, financial challenges, and more. I call this the messy part of life that was conveniently left out of the Disney stories. Many of my clients find themselves questioning the story they were sold versus the life they are actually living.
In real life, we experience disruptions. The kind that blindside you and leave you saying, “Not in a million years did I expect this.” Sometimes it even leads you to wonder, “What did I do to deserve this?” These moments can bring you to your knees and make you question every decision you’ve made.
My first major life disruption happened in my early twenties when I lost my job. I was living in my own apartment, no roommate, and finally starting to feel like I was getting the hang of this whole adulting thing. Then bam… yep. I lost my job.
I was completely clueless. Based on TV shows and random conversations with friends, I remember asking for a pink slip… lol. The confusion on the leadership team’s faces said it all. (For the record, you don’t actually receive a pink slip.)
The first week was rough. I had to tell my parents what happened, and I remember feeling overwhelmed with shame. It felt like I had somehow failed at adulthood before I had even really started.
Takeaway: Not every decision needs to be made immediately. Take a moment. Take a breath. Cry if you need to. Yell if you have to. The pain, disappointment, and confusion are real. Give yourself space to feel what you feel before rushing to fix everything. Big emotions can lead to rushed decisions, and this is a time to slow down.
Brick by Brick — Rebuilding
Everyone’s resources are different, so there is no one-size-fits-all formula for how you rebuild after a disruption. What worked for someone else may not work for you, and that’s okay. Rebuilding is often slower and more personal than we expect.
Instead of giving you a list of things you “should” do, I prefer to offer questions that can help you think through your next steps.
Before we get started, and if I’m being honest, I’m the queen of not wanting cliché statements when I’m going through something hard. When you’re in the middle of a difficult season, phrases like “everything happens for a reason” don’t always land well.
I will say this though: life disruptions can create an opportunity for a new beginning. Not repeating, resuming, or duplicating what just ended. Once the dust settles a bit, let’s start thinking about the possibilities that may come from this.
Reflection
What did you learn about yourself?
Could it be that you’ve been too passive and needed to speak up more? If you were more vocal, what tone would you want to bring? Let’s be mindful not to swing too far in the opposite direction.
Is there another way to look at the situation?
Sometimes we view experiences through a filter of pain, hurt, or anger. What actually happened versus what you believe happened?
What does support look like for you right now?
Support can be paid or free. Do you need professional guidance? Financial support? A listening ear? Who can you reach out to?
Thinking about your previous situation, what parts did you enjoy and want more of?And what parts are you ready to leave behind?
In your wildest dreams, what would you want for yourself moving forward?
Imagine nothing is holding you back—no money concerns, no limitations. What would your life look like? Now ask yourself: what is one small step you can take toward that vision?
And lastly, extend yourself some compassion. Rebuilding takes time. Give yourself permission to move forward at your own pace.
If you need someone to jump into the mess with you and help you navigate your disruption with clarity, support, and practical tools, we’re here for you.
Comments