Retrenched? Here's How To Deal With It.

Major layoffs due to the Covid - 19 Pandemic. 

I got retrenched earlier last month. It was not shocking because at this phase, all of us are silently praying to not go through this. However, when I received the call saying that I have to be let go in order for the company to sustain, all I felt was an opportunity for a new beginning. 

Of course, I had my fair share of worries about my bills and commitments but I was somehow calm in that situation, weirdly so. Anyone who knows me also knows that I'm a tad bit dramatic but when I was retrenched, there was none of the usual distress or drama. 

Why so? Because I had this pre - planned, just in case. 

If you or your loved ones were recently laid off and it is causing you a lot of worries and distress, I think I know a thing or two on how to deal with this situation. 

Set a strict budget, cut off all the unnecessary expenses and stick to it. 

1. Finances - Everyone's first general worry, especially if you have a family to fend for. This is the exact time to make use of the benefits our government has allocated for us. 

•  Apply for a certain amount of your EPF to be credited to you. You can choose the amount and it will be credited until 31st March 2021. It's not much but it accounts for something. 
• Also apply in PERKESO saying that you got retrenched and would like to seek help. You can always call their hotline at 1-300-22-8000 and they will happily assist you. 
• Call up your banks to inquire on your hire purchase payment process. You may also walk in to one of the branches and discuss your situation with them and see how you can settle the problem.  
• If you have education loan or any other personal commitment, do the same thing. Contact the institution and be frank with them, send out an official email with the required documents. If you were a good paymaster all along, they will understand your situation and help you out. 
• Figure out your savings and expenses, then decide on what needs to be cut back. 
• Keep aside an appropriate amount of money in order to attend interviews in the future so that you will not have to loan it from someone else. For example, you will need some money for transportation expenses, to print resume, IC copy, other important documents, and so on if you were to attend an interview. 

Do yourself a favor and discuss with your financial institutions in regards to your financial stand. Request for some advise on how you can pay back your debts one step at a time, you'll be surprised at how helpful they can be. 

2. Keep Busy - An empty mind is the devil's workshop; avoid just watching Netflix in your room the entire day, this will lead to depression and lost of purpose. 

• Ask your family if they need help with any chores. Your siblings will definitely have some for you. Take your parents to run errands, better yet, do it for them. It can be anything from taking your dad for a hair cut to doing grocery shopping. Make yourself useful. 
• Do a crossword puzzle, sudoku, word search or anything that speaks to you and makes your mind tick. 
• Have a journal to keep tab of your thoughts and emotions if things are weighing you down.  
• You can have a little DIY project of your own. 
• Read a book or an article, watch a documentary or a useful YouTube video, anything to gain more knowledge. 
• Pick up a new skill which will come in handy at your new work place. It can be excel skills, key note, learning how to prepare a stunning deck, literally anything related to your line of work. 

"Keep busy. It's the cheapest 

kind of medicine there is." 

- Dale Carnegie.  

 3. Try New Things - If you have a passion; it can be gardening, writing, making a short film, singing, art and craft, photography, now is the right time to practice your trait. In order to be a master in your field, practice is very crucial and now you have the luxury of time which you will not get once you get yourself a job, make the most of it. 

My personal work station at home. 

4. Make Money - Try new ways to make money, it can be a small home based business, nothing too fancy, you can make nasi lemak and sell it to your neighbors or close friends twice a week, you can do some freelance work with whatever knowledge / experience you have. No harm in trying, is there? 

Life ain't a monopoly game. 

5. Be Smart- Life ain't a Monopoly game, so always challenge yourself to stay afloat. Save whatever money you have or gain, even though it is RM1. Remember, this is not the time to splurge. If you want something, earn it. Do a chore for a family member or friend and request the thing you want in return. Its a win - win situation and there is no such thing as free lunches anyway. 

Giving gratitude brings peace. 

6. Be Grateful - As cliche as this sounds, you have more than most people. Count your blessings and peace of mind will tag along. It is so easy to get caught up with things, hence we have to constantly remind ourselves what we still have in spite of hardship.

SWOT analysis always helps. 

 7. Analyze - Take the time to do a SWOT analysis on your life, there is always room for improvement. It can be in any aspect, personal relationships, how you deal with issues, how to carry yourself in the society, how to save more money, literally any aspect you see fit. If not now, when? Thank me later. 

 

My sleeping kit. 

 

8. Sleep tight - Do not overthink, in case you can't sleep at night I'd personally recommend you to listen to a podcast. There are so many podcasts in Spotify, Google Podcasts and so on. Pick your favorite podcast from a convenient portal and listen to it, you will automatically fall asleep. 

9. Support System - A great support system goes a long way, if you have a loved one who has lost their job be there for them. Listen to them, keep them company, motivate them. Be the sunshine!

Design your resume to stand out. 

10. Update your resume - This is the most important of all, make sure you do not wait until the last minute to do this. Design a beautiful resume; write what you have accomplished in your career previously, your unique selling point, why you are an asset for the company, your skill sets and so on. 

11. Apply for jobs - Take your time with this and when you are ready, apply for jobs that you deem fit. Who knows, you might land your dream job this time around?!

If you have a loved one who needs to read this, feel free to share this piece with them. Also, I'd encourage you to give them a little treat every once in a while. It can be their favorite food, snacks, a movie, a piece of motivation, just anything. 

"Remember, there is no rainbow without a little rain. Stand in the eye of the hurricane, love. Better days are coming and it will all be worth it. Have faith. Just a little bit more, keep going."

 

We from A Cup Of Zeal are sending you lots of love, warmth and comfort!