Recent redundancy? Validate yourself without a workplace

Dr Audrey Tang is a positive psychologist, mental health and wellness expert and author of new book The Leader’s Guide To Resilience (£14.99, Pearson)

While the continued furlough scheme may mask the true impact of the pandemic on unemployment, The Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that more than 800,000 Brits have lost their jobs. For some, this may have been the nudge they needed to pursue something more fulfilling, for others it was a loss of a social and purposeful lifeline – not just a financial one.

Positive psychology suggests that our sense of wellbeing can be driven by both hedonistic happiness (simple pleasures) and eudaemonic happiness (finding meaning in what we do). The impact of losing part of one’s identity cannot be underestimated.

However, unpredictability brings some advantages. No other time could be better for pursuing that fervent dream, taking a leap of faith as an entrepreneur or retraining and redirecting. Learn to validate yourself without the trappings of the workplace. Ask yourself what you need to hear, reflect on the little wins you’ve achieved and be proud. When you appreciate your value, you also have the beginnings of a new personal statement that feels authentic.

Don’t make yourself feel bad by making comparisons. Some people wallow in feelings of envy, others use that surge of emotion and instead focus on building themselves back up – you know which is more valuable. You’ve got this.