36. Who Am I Without My Job? Navigating Identity Shifts & Emotional Messes

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Losing my 9-5 wasn’t just about losing a paycheck, it felt like losing a piece of who I was. In this episode, I unpack the emotional mess that comes with an unexpected career shift: grieving stability, questioning my identity, and battling the urge to jump back into the corporate world just for the comfort of the familiar.

I also share the daily routines, mindset shifts, and resilience tools helping me navigate this uncertain but exciting chapter. If you’re in a “Now What?” moment of your own, this one’s for you.

⚡Mentioned in this episode

• How losing my job felt like a breakup (and why that’s normal)
• The struggle of answering, “So, what do you do?” as a new entrepreneur
• My must-have daily routines for stability and self-trust
• The guilt of not having it all figured out (and how I’m reframing it)

Timestamps

(00:00) Intro

(01:22) The unexpected identity crisis of losing a job

(04:18) Why this feels like a breakup (and the guilt that comes with it)

(06:48) The emotional rollercoaster: excitement vs. self-doubt

(07:45) Routines keeping me grounded (hello, Abby walks!)

(10:08) Reframing my mindset: things happen for me, not to me

(13:50) Therapy: A must-have, but how do I afford it?

(16:08) Final thoughts: Resilience, growth, and the reality of this transition

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Full transcript here

Let’s connect

Website | mafesalazar.com

Instagram | @mafesalazar

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