The last 100+ days have been interesting, yet clarifying, in so many ways. I’ve been calling this season a “sabbatical.” After the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) lost its federal funding, staff was laid off, meaning I was out of a job and with that came a mix of emotions. Some I anticipated and others I didn’t. Uncertainty, reflection, and an unfamiliar kind of stillness. And the realization that I’m far from alone. 

Over the past few months, it feels like many people have either experienced a layoff or are navigating some kind of career transition. Watching that unfold through my timeline and conversations while going through it myself forced me to slow down and really pay attention to what this moment requires. 

Here are three things that have helped me navigate this season: 

1. Create a Routine 

When structure disappears, days can blur together quickly. I learned early on that having some kind of routine was essential, even a loose one. For me, that looked like getting outside when the weather allowed: morning walks, moving my body, exercising, and then spending a few focused hours each day doing something productive. Sometimes that was job searching. Other days it was researching ideas, learning something new, or thinking strategically about what I want my next career move to look like and putting those ideas into motion. 

I also tried to build in moments of mindfulness, even if they were brief. Everyone’s routine will look different, but having structure helped me feel grounded and prevented the days from running away from me. There will be days when life has you stuck and those days are normal. Give yourself grace and get back on track. 

2. Create Balance Beyond the Job Search 

Job searching alone can become consuming and let’s be honest, exhausting. I learned that I needed something else in my life to create balance. That could be a hobby, volunteering, or whatever works for you. One of the most meaningful things I’ve done during this time has been volunteering with an organization here in DC that serves underserved communities (I’ll write more on that separately at a later date). I started volunteering on the packing team, assembling items for distribution. I then decided to volunteer on the distribution team, helping provide food, toiletries, and clothing to unhoused individuals. Each week, we gather outside Union Station to distribute items to the unhoused. 

That experience has been grounding in ways I didn’t expect. It reminded me that my value isn’t tied solely to my job title or employment status and that contributing to something bigger than myself brought a sense of purpose on days/weeks when motivation was low. On my first day with the distribution team, we came across a gentleman who was shivering and lying over a steam vent on the sidewalk. We gave him a hat, gloves, and a sleeping bag that doubled as a jacket. That moment, hit me with a bag of emotions. Whether it’s volunteering, a creative outlet, or a hobby you’ve neglected, having something outside the job search matters more than we realize. 

3. Give Yourself Grace 

This one has been the hardest for me. I tend to be tough on myself and set high expectations, even in moments when life is clearly asking for flexibility. Navigating a layoff or career transition isn’t easy, and life doesn’t pause while you’re figuring things out. Unexpected obstacles will come up. Timelines won’t always move at the pace you want. Some days will feel productive, and others won’t and that’s okay. There were many days I was hard on myself  because I didn’t have the energy to do much, or because timelines for tasks I was working on weren’t moving as quickly as I wanted, even when I spent hours on them. I also got sick and experienced a death in my family. Learning to give myself grace has been essential. This season is challenging enough without adding unnecessary pressure or self‑criticism. Progress doesn’t always look linear  and that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong so give yourself grace! 

If you’re in a similar season, know that you’re not alone. Transitions are uncomfortable and stressful, but they can also be deeply clarifying. Sometimes clarity doesn’t come all at once, it comes when we slow down, stay present, and give ourselves time. 

Shawn