Around 6 months ago, while everything was going well, early one morning I got a call from our delivery manager. It was to inform me about the project scale-down happening at our client side — in layman’s terms, a ‘layoff’. Unfortunately, there were no internal mobility projects to retain us.
I was optimistic about the situation because I saw it as an opportunity for ‘something new’. But things weren’t easy — global recession, so many people waiting for jobs in the market, U.S. tariff issues, and all the gossip about AI taking over software development.
Three months of bench time went by so fast. I received a few calls, even completed some managerial rounds, and even had final discussions with HR on joining date. But later, only after multiple follow-ups, they would come up with replies like “negative feedback” or “project on hold.”
Even though I wasn’t desperate, as I had other plans for myself, I started writing content on my own website related to my technical expertise ie. iOS development — iostutor.com. It was the first time I handled a domain and hosting service, and I had many confusions in the beginning. I asked ChatGPT for everything in every possible way and educated myself well before starting.
I started writing content daily, focusing on U.S. market, gradually getting small user acquisitions from different parts of the world, mainly from the U.S. Alongside this, I learned many new iOS related things to write the content, thus it helped me for interview rounds as well. My content website gave me happiness and confidence. I felt like I was not jobless — I was doing something meaningful.
But the real matter that truly matters — ‘Money’. Even after being jobless for two to four months, I managed everything related to my family’s well-being by using one of my backup funds I had kept for such situations. I also decided to pause my SIP plans and stop any unnecessary spending during this time. I postponed many things that weren’t urgent.
Even so, to keep myself and my family encouraged and motivated, I planned some short, budget-friendly trips during this time. That helped us a lot. We stayed happy, confident and optimistic. I also tried to be more connected to the Almighty — this brought me an eternal confidence and inner peace.
It was the first time since my college days that I got such a long break, so I used it to visit people and places I admire most. I also did small things I had missed during my tight work schedules.
With the grace of the Almighty, something started to work. Someone from the U.S. needed some training on iOS topics, found my profile, and we started it. And now, hopefully, I have some other enquiries too.
I believe everything happens for a reason — at least for some new experiences.
I’m sharing this here because it may help some of my fellow jobless or laid-off friends — and even those who are currently employed. No matter who you are, what is the position you are into, situations can be difficult sometimes, its upto to you how you shape it!
Wishing strength and positivity to everyone going through a transition. 🙏
