One of the most unexpected (and unsettling) parts of my first layoff was staring at a completely empty calendar. I was so used to a full, color-coded schedule packed with meetings and tasks. Now, suddenly, it was all blank. That did not feel good at all. Like I have nothing useful to do.
At first, I didn’t know how to structure my time in a way that felt productive yet balanced. I learned the hard way. But after working with hundreds of people who’ve been laid off—including myself—I want to share what I’ve found most helpful.
Reclaiming Your Schedule
Grab a calendar you enjoy using (digital or paper). If you’re like me, get some stickers or colored pens, too! Then start filling it in with intention:
✅ Rest & Recovery
Remember my last blog? You need time to process and grieve! I would color code at least a week after the lay off as “rest” . If it feels overwhelming to block out an entire week, schedule rest in daily chunks. Giving yourself permission to pause is essential.
✅ Reconnect with Your Network
Add some time aside to reach out to friends, former colleagues, and mentors. Tell them what happened. Most people want to help, and at some point, you'll get a chance to pay it forward. Be clear about your job search—the roles, industries, or companies that interest you. People can’t help if they don’t know what you’re looking for.
✅ Self-Care Appointments
Schedule activities that bring you peace and joy—whether it's taking a walk, reading a book, exercising, or (in my case) watching a sitcom to unwind. These moments help keep stress in check. Add all these to your calendar. I know we are not used to adding these yet this will give you some sense of control of your time.
✅ Resume & LinkedIn Time
Once you're ready, dedicate time to refreshing your resume and LinkedIn profile. Block out 60-90 minutes at a time instead of trying to do everything in one exhausting session.
✅ Job Search Blocks (No More Than 4 Hours Per Day!)
Add time in your calendar to do job search. I would not recommend more than 4 hours per day. This is coming from someone who decided “my new job is looking for a job so I should be in front of my computer for 8 hours” and I brought myself to exhaustion. Not recommended at all. Searching for a job is draining. Limit job-hunting activities, broken up with breaks.
Additional Tips
📌 Learn a New Skill: If you’ve been considering upskilling, now is a great time. Block out times every week for online courses or certifications in areas that interest you.
📌 Set Small Daily Goals: Instead of “Find a new job,” break it down into smaller, actionable steps (e.g., apply to three jobs today, connect with two people on LinkedIn).
📌 Routine (or not): Waking up at the same time every day, getting dressed, and following a daily plan can help maintain motivation and prevent the slump of feeling aimless for some. Some of you had such rigid working hours for so long that you need more flexibility. May be you want to do job search after spending quality time with your kids at 3PM which you were not able to do before. Know what works best for you.
A layoff is tough, but having a structured schedule can help you regain a sense of control and momentum. Do not forget that we live in a society that praises being busy! We pride ourselves for being productive all the time. That is never good for us. One of the best parts of a layoff can be doing more of what matters to you.
Be kind to yourself—you’re in transition, and that’s okay.
I am with you!
Ozlem Brooke Erol
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