Among the many tolls taken by the current economic picture is that of the inner feelings of those who have lost their jobs through layoffs or downsizing.
New York Times health and wellness writer Tara Parker Pope writes about this today, quoting from a former Los Angeles Times columnist who lost his longtime job in January:
"I’m talking about the icy chill of loneliness I’ve begun to experience in a culture that seems to be bustling on by, leaving me as more spectator than participant. I’m talking about the sudden need to put on a coat and tie and just go someplace! Anyplace!"
Here's her column:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/11/the-isolation-of-unemployment/
So much of our self-esteem and our definition of our selves is about what we do for a living. It can all take a huge hit when we lose our job, even if it's through no fault of our own.
Has this affected you? Have you or someone you know lost a job? How do you deal with the sense of isolation you feel from the working world?