Be open about what has happened to you. Don't be afraid to say, "I lost my job." You may be surprised at how many people you meet have had similar experiences.
(The stigma of having been fired by an employer, even if just an economic "downsizing" is overpowering. But in this economy it is far more common than you realize. Current studies show most people will lose at least one job at some point in their adult career. - G)
Become part of a support group. It can be especially helpful to talk to (and listen to) a group of people who are in your situation. Often just finding out that there are others with your same concerns and fears can be a great help in dealing with those feelings.
(Bottling it up and stuffing it down won't fix it or make it go away. It just turns your grief into a ticking time bomb that you will be unable to control when something sets it off. Take positive control of it now and don't let it control you. - G)
Process your emotions. Admit your anger, fear, and frustrations to your support group, your family, and your friends. When you allow yourself to do this you are taking the first step toward managing your emotions instead of letting them control you.
(Freud could be pretty weird with some of his theories but with this catharsis thing he really hit the nail on the head. You don't need to talk to everyone about what you are feeling but you do need to talk to someone! I don't care how tough or macho you might think you are, a good cry once in awhile is what every guy and gal needs. Get all that poison out and let some tears flow. It's okay. - G)
Affirm yourself. You may feel guilty - feeling like you are personally letting your family down even though you know your job loss had nothing to do with anything you did. Or you may have missed out on a job opportunity that would have kept you employed.
(Even if you were fired for mistakes you did make, I promise you, no one is perfect. So forgive yourself. Treat yourself as kindly as you would treat your best friend if they were in your shoes. - G)
Once you resolve this guilt you can move on.
(Some studies show an average of 5-8 years for job loss grief recovery - rivaling grief related to the death of a spouse - so be patient and don't try to rush the process. -G)
Renew and deepen relationships. Your marriage and family, as well as your friends, can be a source of strength that is stronger than you realized. Having someone you can lean on and rely on can be crucial in times of trouble. Also, there may be times when you need someone to "give you a shove" when you become too discouraged.
(Incidentally, a Life Coach is a great objective ally to enlist to help you healthily move through your grief and give you a positive shove when you get stuck. - G)
Maintaining or renewing spirituality is just as helpful as your relationships with other people. Your personal beliefs and your relationship with God can give you support even when other people are not available for support. Your spirituality can help you develop your "inner strength" to deal with hardships, and it can also help you find an "inner peace" that can be just as beneficial.
(Connect with God in the way that works best for you. If church isn't your thing, go spend some time in nature or wherever else you can sense God's presence. Listening to positive, spiritual music is a powerful coping and recovery strategy that works for many people too, me included. - G)
Keep your sense of humor. Laughter is as important to your health as physical exercise and a good diet. Just as it is important to exercise on a regular basis, it is important to maintain your sense of humor on a regular basis. If you don't already read the daily comics, that can be a good start.
(Stand up comics, TV comedies, etc are great as well. Find a way to laugh, I mean really laugh, big belly laughs, every day! This proven endorphin production factory alone will make the long days of grief recovery more bearable. - G)
Also, learn to look for humor in everyday situations, especially things that happen to you. Learning to laugh at yourself is one of the best ways to have a healthy self-image.
