Let’s talk layoffs — specifically, the 6,000 Microsoft just announced. And before you close this tab thinking, "Not another doomscroll headline," hang tight. This isn't a sob story. It's a wake-up call — and maybe, just maybe, a strangely timed blessing.
When Giants Stumble, Humans Pivot
Microsoft trimming 3% of its workforce in 2025 is, let’s be honest, brutal. For those impacted, it’s not a “strategic restructure.” It’s losing rent, rhythm, and routine. But here's a take you probably won't find in Forbes:
Sometimes, when the machine spits you out, it's because you were meant to build your own.
Tech layoffs have a funny way of turning coders into founders, designers into coaches, and ops folks into mindfulness teachers (I’ve met three in the last month — two have better websites than me).
Right On Time for Mental Health Awareness Week
As if the universe was trying to send a message via Outlook calendar, this news drops during Mental Health Awareness Week — a time when we should all be asking:
“Am I okay?”
“Is this work actually good for me?”
“Why am I eating lunch in front of 17 Slack threads?”
We’re in an age where burnout is more common than broadband. If you’re one of the 6,000 (or just feel like one of them), this is your official permission slip to pause.
🌿 Real Talk: Losing a job is stressful, but staying in one that’s slowly dissolving your soul isn’t exactly a win either.
What Happens After the Pink Slip?
Some actual advice (not AI-generated platitudes):
Reframe it – This isn’t failure. It’s freedom wrapped in paperwork.
Rest, then rewire – Use the time to reset your nervous system before sprinting into the next hustle.
Talk to someone – A friend, a coach, your dog. Say it out loud.
Look sideways – Your next role might not be “the same, but remote.” It could be something wildly better.
A Few Tools I Recommend (for mind, not meetings)
Calm’s Mental Health Awareness collection: https://www.calm.com/blog/mental-health-awareness-month
A 3-minute journaling method that actually works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23jxUt4Xz2M
LinkedIn Jobs UK – Explore who's hiring now based on your skills and interests: https://uk.linkedin.com/jobs
Open Path Collective – Affordable mental health support: https://openpathcollective.org
Final Word
If you're reading this from your now-defunct company laptop, let me say this:
You are not your job. You are not your inbox. You are not a percentage on a spreadsheet.
You’re a full human. Possibly slightly traumatised by Microsoft Teams. But human nonetheless.
And this week — of all weeks — is a brilliant time to remember that.
P.S. If anyone from Microsoft is reading: Happy to do a talk on post-layoff wellness. I’ll even wear a suit (top half only).