Strange getting laid off. Sitting in a Teams meeting with 40 other colleagues, wondering what was going to happen next. After a 6-slide presentation by someone I’ve only met briefly, my 12-year career at XBOX Game Studios comes to an end.
First thought, man, that was impersonal. Second thought, well I guess I can go on that vacation I’ve been putting off. Third thought, I need to tell my family.
This rush was immediately followed by a rush of thoughts and emotions. Why did I stay here so long? Who is hiring? Who is going to hire me? Why did I get let go – I thought I was one of the good ones… I worked hard, got my projects done, consistently good reviews, stayed super busy during covid, supported my teams. Damn.
I closed my work PC for the day and went outside. I spoke with my family and they were awesome. That day, I gained a ton of perspective and in a way, a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I no longer was worried about what could happen next, it had already happened, and now it was time to make a fresh start.
Mark Simon 
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