I just realized that it’s been a year since I was laid off from my job, almost to the day. Oof. That was bad. Maybe I don’t need to rehash the details.

Whether you’re a very serious ladder-climbing professional or just someone who puts in 40 hours a week, a job is a big part of your life. When you lose a job, it shakes you up.

With the benefit of hindsight, I was forced out of a situation that wasn’t making me happy and given the time and motivation to find one that feels like a better fit. I’m happier at work now than I was a year ago and because I’m happier, I’m working harder and that makes me happy, too. I’m fortunate that things turned out the way they did.

But I’m changed by having had this experience. I’m always a teeny bit nervous about my job now, although my bosses and colleagues haven’t given me any reason to be nervous. Once you’ve lost one job, how can you be sure you aren’t going to lose another one? In fact no job is ever perfectly secure, but after you’ve been laid off, you feel that in a different way.