Navigating New Horizons: Life After Layoffs in japan
A Detour to Discovery: My Post-Layoff Travel Journey
In October 2023 marked a turning point in my life. After years of dedication to my tech career, I found myself among those affected by the wave of layoffs that swept the industry. The news left me feeling confused and scared on how to ‘move forward’. However, amidst this unexpected career halt, I found an opportunity for self-discovery and adventure ( and probably my best way to escape the unknown). After a few weeks of trying my best to move forward and figure out ‘what’s next’ I hit the pause button for a much needed self reflection trip and step away. Come along as I share my 2 week solo journey to Japan, the land rich in culture, night life, history and beauty.
To those going through similar experiences: My story will offer a blend of personal storytelling, advice and insights on how to navigate your journey, and hopefully a sparkle of adventure and inspiration for you to step out of your comfort zone and help offer guidance or a clearer view, to find what is next for you. These are my life lessons learned, and I hope you can see through the clouds to get to your destiny.
Chapter 1: Embracing the Unexpected
Over the past few months our company had slowed down a little, and metrics were showing our clients weren’t in the best of places. Landing deals, and keeping contracts were coming to be challenging. A week prior our CEO announced that there would be a an all company meeting that we would be required to attend. I didn’t think much of it, at the time, and continued to work as usual.
A week later, on a Friday during the beginning of Fall, and I was working at my favorite coffee shop as the week winded down, things were a little slow and I was enjoying a delicious latte. A little while later, mass emails started sending out to one co-worker after another sharing that their position was eliminated.
Things felt a little too close to home, and within a few minutes, I got the same email. My heart dropped and it almost felt as if time stopped. I opened the email that stated, ‘you’re last day is today, and our HR team will meet with you tomorrow to discuss next steps.” Alright, one thing was clear, today I had pay and tomorrow I wouldn’t, my mind went into survival mode.
As a career expert, who has helped dozens break into tech and advance their career I swung into action, and posted on LinkedIn that I was seeking the next position. As the weeks went on, I had a few interviews lined up, but deep inside the more I kept talking to recruiters, and going through the first interview steps, the further away I felt to myself feeling like it was the right next step and the rush to find that ‘something’ wasn’t the answer.
Have you ever felt that way?
Time went on, and I started reflecting on some questions:
What truly motivates me in my career?
Why did this happen to me?
Is there something I did looking back that could’ve been better?
Should I consider a complete career change? Am I too old to change at this point?
What will employers say about this career gap?
What kind of job or career do I really want next?-Where I go matters.
What do I really want in my life and career now?
The more I talked to people the more they said ‘you’ll figure it out’ and this time, I really felt that I couldn’t where I was in my current life.
Chapter 2: Hitting Pause
A few weeks later, I hit the pause button. Staying home everyday scouring endless job search sites I felt stuck. I had no routine searching for things to fill the hours. One random night, laying on the couch, I found myself watching Youtube about a girl who faced a challenge in her life, and decided to solo travel to Europe for a month and reset her life. “Why not do the same?”, I asked myself and looked up Japan-a safe place for woman solo travelers and peaceful. I purchased the ticket via-one way, with no plans of return for the moment, packed my bags, grabbed my passport, said goodbye to my dearest husband, and was off within the next few days.
As I stood in the line to scan my passport ticket, with a full bag, mix of apprehension and excitement I boarded the plan. Trading what I knew and was comfortable with for the unknown, I left behind my comfort zone and all of ‘what happened’ behind.
This trip wasn’t just about sightseeing, it was a quest to find a new perspective on whatever came next.
Chapter 3: Tokyo, the city that never sleeps
I arrived at night, the city was bigger than I remembered, just being there earlier that year, it full of neon lights and the buildings reflect the thousands of people walking the city. I was here, in the city that never sleeps, with very basic language capabilities and regretting not taking out enough currency-oh boy, the challenges had already began! But one thing felt right, my heart and knowing I was in the right spot. As I wandered through the bustling streets of Shinjuku I arrived at my hotel, exhausted I stumbled into 7/11, bought the famous egg sandwiches, visited the famous Godzilla, then looked out my hotel window while eating. Yet, it was in the quiet moments in the hotel room that I truly connected with the city's soul.
I was happy.
Chapter 4: Unveiling Tokyo's Hidden Gems
I had planned my entire around Airbnb Experiences from bike tours, day and night food tours, and temple walks with local guides. I met some of the best people during these experiences, from other woman traveling alone, to brothers traveling together, those on business trips to older couples and families. Everybody had a different reason to travel.
With no sense of time, to do’s or other’s to concern my schedule with, I was able to roam the city freely. Stopping at any coffee shop, store or restaurant that looked appetizing. If you have the ability to travel solo, I highly suggest it. Being alone puts you a place of discovery and stepping outside of your comfort zone. I discovered new friendships and met other woman traveling from all over the world from Costa Rica, Norway, and China.
In a city of over 13 million people…
I grew the confidence to navigate the busy streets, and find joy in sitting alone enjoying cup of coffee while watching everybody walk by.
These were my final days in Tokyo before departing to Kyoto. If you’re visiting in the future and want some good ideas of things to do, check out my ‘Must-Do Airbnb Experience’ list below!
Sacred mornin walk & brunch-Meiji Shrine: One of Japan’s most popular shrines, which during New Year welcomes more than 3 million visitors (majority locals) for the yeas first prayers. You’ll meet up in a small intimate group setting, explore the temple and then head over to the iconic town known for everything, Kawaii (cute), Harajuku. The best part is that you’ll experience a typical local’s breakfast-and trust me, you won’t be disappointed! Check out the Airbnb Experience Here
Tour Guide IG: Japan_ local _ experiences
Follow him for excellent places to eat
Tokyo Waterway Night Paddling: You’ll be in a residential area, so it’s a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle from Tokyo. You’ll fall in love with the night view of the Sky tree, and the stillness of the water will make it that much more wonderful. This had to be one of the most memorable experiences of Tokyo for me-it felt like the real Tokyo. Check out the Airbnb Experience Here
Shinjuku Gems-All you can eat and drink
As Tourist, sometimes we barely scratch the surface when visiting places like Japan. At night, once the train stations become crowded, so do the streets, local bars and restaurants. The smells, aromas, laughter and sound of glasses clanking all come to life. In this tour, you’ll meet people from all over, share a few drinks together and try foods, explore the history of Shinjuku you probably didn’t expect to when first booking your trip. Towards the end of your culinary experience, you’ll spend the evening with your new friends and a local karaoke bar, so let the night lead you. This is something you’ll always remember.
You’ll try everything from: Whale Sashimi, Horse Sashimi, Chicken Sashimi, Sake w/ puffer fish fin w/ fire, Wasabi & plum Yakitori (skewered chicken), sparkling Sake, alcoholic Matcha tea and so forth :)
Interested? Don’t miss out!! Check out this Airbnb Experience Here
Host IG: omoide_ journey_ jp
A night to remember <3
Chapter 5: Exploring Kyoto – A Step Back in Time
Leaving the hustle of Tokyo, I headed to Kyoto on Japan’s bullet train, even paying a little extra for a first class experience. As we travled the 2 hours to Kyoto, choosing to come in October was the perfect time as the landscape showed the beautiful fall leaves changing in the rural countryside with a stunning view of Mount Fuji. It’s as if we stepped back in time.
During that time I was able to reminisce on the first few days in Tokyo, I smiled because it finally felt as if life was starting to make sense and I was seeing a clear path. The things I enjoyed, brought inspiration, clarity and interest again. I said to myself, ‘this moment, this day, this trip, it was the right decision’.
“Not all those who wander are lost.”
As I arrived at the hotel in Kyoto, I couldn’t wait to travel around and see the area. Walking passed aged-old temples, mixed with chic places to see including Niskhiki Market, home to 125+ vendors., I couldn’t help but fall in love with Kyoto and it’s all aromas. Not to mention a 7/11 late night snack meal.
Have you ever just laid in bed, and really just enjoyed your food? That feeling that nothing else matters, but that moment you’re in, relaxing, focused on each bite, and smiling in complete happiness. That was the feeling everyday spent in Kyoto, a new food, new memory, and a new story.
Over the next few days, much of it was spent walking and taking in the old city, and places to see. But, I felt myself wanting to keep stepping out of my comfort zone and explore more. I followed the feeling of happiness and curiosity which led to led to the next best days of travel days.
Another city, another Airbnb Experience
Bike Tour: Biking through old Kyoto is like pedaling back in time. We rode through some of the most narrow alleys, with stone-paved streets and hudnreds of other bikes as this is the main way everybody gets around. We passed hundreds of temples since Tokyo is known to have over more than 3,000 but out of all that we visited, one was my favorite; Kitano-Tenmangu, The God of Study Shrines. Hundreds of students come here to pray to the God of Academics, for success in their school year-but not only them-adults who are studying for exams or parents who wish their children success through the year. It felt like a spot in which people hope and pray for their luck to shine. As we moved through the tour, we passed Geisha villages, and stopped for a bite at a tiny snack shop that's been dishing out the same delicious treats for a thousand years, feeling like I'm sharing a secret passed down through generations. It's a mix of old-school charm and youthful energy, and every turn in this city tells another fascinating story. As always, links and pictures are below!
Night Life Food Tour: While Kyoto has an old charm to it, don’t think that the city during night time stays the same. The city turns into a place of hidden bars, and tiny but cozy places to eat and discovery. I couldn’t of gotten the full Kyoto experience without a tour from a local guide-so here we went with a group of 8 from all over the world. Brothers who work remote and work from Thailand, a man who lived in Signapore and hadn’t slept since he arrived earlier that morning and departed within 15 hours, and everybody else who seemed like they took a ‘pause’ in their own life to travel the world. We had 4 stops, full of local foods to try, and drinks. From secret ramen spots to old sake bars, and must try food stalls in Nishiki Market-we stopped everywhere. Who could ask for better than that?
Reminiscing Kyoto
As the trip came to an end in Kyoto and the days I spent away kept getting longer and longer, I realized that my job loss really did lead to a life changing journey. Each day, and tour helped me redefine myself, and find passion to move forward. Most importantly, it helped me meet other people on tours, that were there doing their own soul quest, trying to figure out their story and dreams. I felt comfort in the long nights but also happy when surrounded by hundreds of others walking through city.
I think there’s something so beautiful about stepping out on your own, being curious and finding out what makes you happy. To the reader, you aren’t alone in searching for meaning in your life, no matter where you travel to or where you are-life is meant to be explored and for you to find your purpose. Even though we were tourist, we were travelers on a personal journey and in that we can find comfort.
Chapter 6: Reflections and Goodbye’s
As my trip neared its end, I reflected on all my new friendships and experiences. The layoff and the emotions of feeling lost, no longer were present. In life you don’t always have to set a plan for yourself, because life itself will help you find what’s next one way or the other.
By being in a total different place in the world mentally and physically, I was able to grow, and answer questions I didn’t have clarity on before. It was if traveling allows you to become so many beautiful yet different versions of yourself. And I was so happy with this new version of myself.
A few days before leaving, a full time position was offered to me as a Sr. Business Analyst and after a day of contemplation, the position fit. The clarity I had been seeking to make this decision, had been found and this was meant to be the next chapter. As I boarded my flight back home, I realized that getting laid off was not the end, but the beginning of a new chapter. My solo trip to Japan taught me the importance of embracing change, finding joy in the unknown, and the beauty of reconnecting with oneself ⋆｡˚ ✈︎
I hope this article encourages you to explore life by creating adventure in your everyday, so that growth in whatever way it may look for you continues to grow and leads you to where you are supposed to be.
Thank you for reading this piece, it means a lot! The full Youtube video is below, so you can travel along.
