This month’s subscriber question comes from Lynsay:
“I was recently made redundant and it’s knocked me more than I expected. I feel somewhat ‘lost’, unmotivated, and unsure what I even want next. I’ve always been a fairly driven person, so this unsettled feeling is unfamiliar and uncomfortable. How do I stay steady in this weird in-between space when I don’t know what’s next?”
My answer:
First of all — what you’re feeling is not only normal, it’s deeply human. Redundancy isn’t just about losing a job. It can also feel like a loss of structure, identity, confidence, and a sense of certainty. And for driven, high-achieving individuals, that sudden shift into the “in-between” can feel really destabilising.
Even though things may feel strange and unfamiliar right now, nothing is wrong, you’re just in an uncomfortable, and very real, period of transition.
As we’ve explored throughout this month’s series, transition is rarely a clean break from one chapter to the next. It’s more like a slow dissolve, where the old no longer fits, and the new hasn’t quite arrived.
So if your motivation has dropped, your energy feels scattered, or your clarity has vanished, it’s not a failure. It’s your nervous system trying to find steady ground again.
Here’s what I’d offer if we were speaking 1:1:
1. Pause before pushing
It’s tempting to rush into action — firing off CVs, planning the next move — just to feel in control again. But clarity doesn’t come from panic, it comes from taking space to let things settle.
So, allow yourself a short period of conscious pause. This not the same as giving up, it’s about listening to yourself, noticing what’s surfacing, and giving your body and mind time to catch up. Insights will come to you when you least expect it if you take the pressure off yourself to have all the answers asap.
Often, financial fear can add a feeling of urgency here. While I don’t know your exact situation, redundancy usually comes with some breathing space — a notice period, a payout, perhaps even stability through some savings or a partner’s income. In many cases, you do have more time than you think.
You might even have the chance to have a break, go on holiday, or do some of the things you’ve been putting off. So I’d gently encourage you to notice whether a fear of scarcity is driving urgency, and if so, really tune into how that fear might be shaping your outlook.
2. Build small anchors into your day
When life feels foggy, structure and routine are grounding. It doesn’t need to be rigid, just enough to support your energy and give you a rhythm that feels familiar.
If you’re already between roles, now is a great time to gently plan your day with intention. Start with a walk, a morning coffee ritual, or some journaling. Keep your sleep and mealtimes steady. Even using meals as anchor points throughout the day can create a sense of rhythm and stability during uncertainty, not to mention how eating well will mitigate stress.
If you’re still working through your notice period, small rituals like these can still help you feel more centred, especially if emotions are already shifting ahead of time.
3. Don’t try to “figure it all out” yet
This is one of the hardest parts, especially if you’re usually proactive. But there’s real wisdom in the pause.
Instead of asking “What should I do with my life?” or rushing to fire off new job applications, try softer prompts:
- What part of me feels like it’s shifting?
- What do I miss (or not miss) about my old role?
- What values feel most important to me right now?
- How would I like to feel in a new role?
- What kind of company would I like to work for?
These questions won’t create instant clarity, but they will begin to shape it. I believe this process is so important — because I’ve seen many clients discover their most aligned next step not by forcing a fast decision, but by creating enough space to truly work out what they want for their future.
4. Find safe spaces to process what’s happening
Whether with a coach, therapist, mentor or trusted friend — this isn’t something you have to carry alone.
The internal dialogue in times of transition can be noisy, fearful, and self-critical. Having the right support helps you zoom out, make meaning, and move forward with more clarity and confidence.
Why coaching can help in this phase
Coaching isn’t just for goal-setting or performance. It’s a space to be heard and witnessed in the in-between — to make sense of uncertainty and reconnect with who you are when everything feels unclear.
In transitional phases like redundancy, coaching can:
- Help you explore what’s next without rushing the process
- Rebuild confidence after a shake-up
- Surface growth and values hidden beneath discomfort
- Anchor you so you don’t spiral into “fixing mode” or fear
- Support you in moving toward your next chapter with intention, not panic
Because how you move through this space matters.
If you’re in a transition phase, whether due to redundancy, something else significant, or simply a quiet shift you can’t quite name — I offer coaching to help you navigate this space with support, insight, and a renewed sense of direction.
You don’t have to have it all figured out to take a powerful next step.
If this resonates, feel free to reach out — or pass this on to someone you know who may need it.
Kate x
