Reclaiming Myself: Becoming the CEO of My Own Life Again

Life has a funny way of nudging us to revisit the same truths - sometimes gently, sometimes with a full shove.

Below is the draft I wrote while processing my first layoff. At the time, I had joined a public speaking club to find community and navigate the uncertainty.

Now, with another layoff behind me, I revisit this Toasmaters speech with gratitude for the versions of myself that have led me here - and optimism sparked by the words I drafted years ago.

I hope this speech-turned-blog serves as a gentle reminder of the truths already inside you—waiting, sometimes quietly, to resurface.

Shame, shock, sadness, disbelief

These were all the feelings that flooded my brain when I found out I had been laid off at the end of last year.

To make myself feel better, I reminded myself that I was just one of over 200,000 people impacted by the tech layoffs in 2023.

But still—I had thought that if I always volunteered my time and never said no to my boss, I should be immune to these kinds of things.

Right?

Well… I guess not.

All my meetings, projects, and to-dos evaporated in an instant, leaving me with the same empty feeling as a breakup—you just don’t understand why. The layoff email practically said, “It’s not you, it’s me.”

Since then, I’ve learned that this corporate breakup was actually a gift—a welcome moment of pause and reflection that I needed to take ownership of my career and future.

From this perspective, I want to share how I reinstated myself as CEO of Maria Inc., and how you can do the same—hopefully without the joblessness.

Step One – Recognize That You Are Your Own Best Asset

Being laid off made me realize how temporary any “permanent” corporate position truly is.

But do you know what job you can always count on to be permanent?

Being the CEO of your own life.

Using that language - CEO of Maria Inc. - helped me see that if I don’t run my life with the same passion and dedication that I would run a business, my priorities are out of alignment.

And mine were.

In the aftermath of my layoff, I had a full identity crisis. I had defined myself by my work title and how much my peers liked me. Now, with neither title nor approval to hide behind, I had to discover what was left.

What I found is that what’s left is who you actually are.

The truest version of yourself isn’t something anyone can take away - and as CEO, it’s your job to nurture and invest in that part of yourself first.

Step Two – Invest in HR (aka Hella Rest)

You can’t make sound decisions with a restless or exhausted mind. I’ve learned that the only way to end a downward spiral is to pause.

Unfortunately, in a society that prizes high achievement, rest is often misunderstood and guilt-inducing. But rest is productive—especially when performed intentionally.

Most of us are likely operating from a rest deficit, though what restoration looks like varies widely. According to physician Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, true rest requires identifying where in our lives we’re depleted (TED Ideas).

Dr. Dalton-Smith outlines seven key areas of rest: mental, spiritual, emotional, social, sensory, creative, and physical:

1. Mental: Needed rest from overthinking—taking walks to process feelings (APA).

2. Spiritual

3. Emotional

4. Social

5. Sensory: Needed rest from screens—reading a book and unplugging an hour before bed (Sleep Foundation).

6. Creative: Time spent appreciating art or nature—literally touch grass (Harvard Health).

7. Physical

When I was laid off, I was already on the verge of burnout, so in a way it happened at a good time. Mentally, sensorily, and creatively depleted, I realized I needed to refill these areas intentionally.

Now, I have strategies to cope with stress and recharge my batteries that I hope will last well past my next chapters in life.

Step Three – Get Serious About R&D

Research and development is key for any business to stay competitive—and your life is no different.

For me, R&D means connecting with what I truly want, rather than what I think I should be doing.

For example, instead of defaulting back to content work because it’s familiar, I researched other opportunities and started developing new skills aligned with my long-term happiness, even if that meant short-term uncertainty.

A trick I’ve found helpful is noticing what excites - or even makes you a little jealous of -others, and exploring that for yourself. Follow the spark of curiosity and develop it.

Conclusion

Setbacks are uncomfortable but offer a unique opportunity to learn about ourselves and how we pursue our goals.

Think of them like a slingshot - sometimes we’re pulled back so we can be propelled forward.

As the newly minted CEO of my own life, I hope my story inspires you to prioritize your relationship with yourself and invest in your long-term happiness - without waiting for a layoff to force the lesson.