{Giveaway is Closed}
When Dominque Browning, of House and Garden fame, lost her job in 2007, it was quite a devastating time for her. I can imagine it was, since I too, have been through the loss of a few jobs myself. Over the course of my 30 years in Corporate America, at least 4 times I was laid off for one reason or another, all because of downsizing or restructuring or whatever they decided to call it at the time. All I knew was that I had lost my job and that is a very hard thing to go through. You really start to doubt yourself and what you have to offer.
I survived that time in my life and with each move in the Corporate world, it was usually a better situation for me, so I can see God’s hand in that, looking back. Now that I’m out of the Corporate world, I can say I totally don’t miss it. I would much rather be at home, doing what I love to do and blogging about it with all of you. That is a whole bunch more fun than showing up at an office each day, I can tell you that (been there, done that). I thought it would be hard to adjust to the non-structure of staying at home and working at my own pace after so many years of going to work, but it has not been. I took to it like a duck takes to water and haven’t looked back.
So, when I was asked if I’d like to review Dominique’s new book, Slow Love (How I Lost My Job, Put on My Pajamas & Found Happiness) all about the losing of her job and in turn, how she found herself, I just knew it would be a good read. And it is! I thoroughly enjoyed the book, recounting how she found out she lost her job as the Editor-in-Chief of House and Garden, back in the Fall of 2007 and all of the emotions that went along with losing the job that was her identify. She was a powerful woman in the Conde Nast organization and all of a sudden all of that was gone. She went through depression, denial, and a feeling of what do I do now? Oh, not to mention, she had been involved in an intense love affair for several years that seemed to be going nowhere. That’s part of the story too that maybe we all can relate to.
Well, she pulled herself together, sold her big house in the city and down-sized to her country house in Rhode Island, she was now an empty-nester, since both her boys were gone and she had to go about finding herself again. From going to the farmer’s market in her PJ’s, to planting a garden, to kayaking in nearby ponds, she slowly came back to life again. It’s a very good read and I really enjoyed turning the pages of this book. Dominique now writes a blog, called Slow Love, as well as a contributor for other publications, which you can see on her blog. She’s an outstanding writer.
Here’s a link to a video interview with Dominique on Good Morning Ameria, which is also good to hear.
I got to ask her a few questions in an interview, so I’m looking forward to sharing those Q & A’s with you:
Question #1 from Rhoda: What is the biggest bit of advice you could pass along to other women losing jobs and possibly careers and starting over?
DB: My advice? Stop thrashing around, sit with the pain and fear for a while, allow yourself to mourn, and honor what is lost. Then, get moving. Physically. Walk, garden, do yoga, bang a drum, but move. Physical movement loosens something up in the brain, and allows creativity to begin to flow again.
Question #2: Would you go back to the Corporate world if you were invited and had the opportunity?
DB: Sure, I’d go back, but only if I could do something about which I feel as passionately about as what I’m doing now!
Question #3: In your own home, what is your favorite style to decorate and do you enjoy yardsales and thrifting? The joy of the hunt?
DB: My style is hopelessly eclectic–meaning, I mix traditional with modern, and every time I try to stick to one style, I end up drifting…and mixing. I love consignment shops, but I know that I’m in a “giving away” mode so that really puts the brakes on my purchases.
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Thank you, Dominque, for taking the time to answer my questions. And here’s the fun part! We have a book to give away to ONE of my readers, so all you have to do is leave a comment and a winner will be drawn by Random.org. on Monday evening.
I’d love to know if you’ve ever lost a job to a layoff or downsizing situation? I can totally relate to this, since it’s happened to me and I’m sure it has happened to many of you too.
Tell me how you handled it? The first time I was laid off, it really took me by surprise and I had to regroup and figure out what I was going to do next and it can be a depressing time. But, when it happens a 2nd or 3rd time, I think you get used to it and this day and time, it is happening more and more out there.
That’s it, leave a comment if you’d like to win a copy of the book!
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Some weekend links for you:
June 19th: If you’re looking for some berry festivals this month, check out the NC Blueberry Festival in downtown Burgaw, NC. If you’re anywhere in the area, it might be a fun event to attend.
Since its inception, the Festival has become a premiere event in Southeastern North Carolina and attracts more than 30,000 people who have come to enjoy some of the area’s finest entertainment, artisans nestled around the courthouse square, antique cars lining the streets, food vendors serving up an array of delicacies and of course the Festival’s main attraction Blueberries! The Festival is a non-profit civic organization and is sponsored in part by the Town of Burgaw.
Alabama has a Blueberry and Blackberry Festival every year too, at Petals from the Past, where we got our blackberry and blueberry plants. Their festival will also be on June 19th and we plan on going!
How to Get Published, Part 2: Are you Ready to be an Author?
How to Make your own Ice Cream this summer.
I have never lost a job due to downsizing or any other way. We have had to move several times and went through periods of no work because of that. I generally really loved me time at home. Whenever I am working, I generally yearn to stay home, but also miss work if I am at home! Love to read the book.
I will have to add this to my “to read” pile! I have been there done that and couldn’t agree more. Being at home is much more fun!
Hugs,
Dena
We have a 27 year-old at home with a college education and no job. He is starting to question his abilities…tough time for all of us.
Loved the article. Good to hear some reality in blogs.
When working we actually spend more waking hours with our co-workers than we do with family, especially if we’re all as committed to our jobs as I was. I was International Operations Manager for a medical products manufacturer — I had worked up to the position from being a lowly entry-level customer service rep… took me ten years to get there. I loved my job and generally worked 10- to 12-hour days and would go in on Saturdays and Sundays at end-of-month and end-of-quarter. Then a competitor purchased the company and all of us instantly became “redundant.” To say that I was crushed was putting it mildly. I would love to win the book to see how the author coped with loss of her job…
The most difficult part of being laid off was that I had allowed the job to form part of my identity. When the job was gone, who was I?
Just this school year, I gave up the identity I had enjoyed for 11 years–that of college professor. Circumstances converged–way before I thought they would–to make me realize now was the time to retire! As I struggled to find enthusiasm for a curriculum revision while struggling with some weighty family issues, and administrative changes, I asked for a leave-of-absence. Finding I didn’t miss the paper grading and lesson prep, I formally retired in the new year. Has it been an adjustment? Yes, but I have found a new focus and new goals–blogging, speaking, and finishing a manuscript. Now I wonder why I didn’t make the change several years ago! p.s. I sure hope I win the book…This is the second review I have read about it…both positive!
I suppose most experiences with job loss are unique as mine is. I worked as a Dental Assistant in a small one Dr. Dental office for just over a year. about six months after I started there I found out I was pregnant with my first child. I was reluctant to talk to the Dentist about it for a while since he did not seem to cope well with staff changes. Soon I had to tell him since I was growing and growing! I told him when I was 3 months along and he was mopey and sad (we had become friends in the course of work) He told me he would still like for me to work there if I wanted to, be it part time or full time after I had my son. I told him I needed to think about it and if I could tell him when I was about 6 months along. He agreed. After much thought, my husband and I decided I could work part time and it would be best for our situation. The 6 month mark came and when I talked to him I found out he had hired someone to replace me after I had the baby. I was grateful I could still work there up to the delivery, however I was sorely upset that he told me we could work something out and then made a decision without talking to me like he said he would. How did I cope with it? Well, I was really upset. For a week or so. I prayed. A lot. and soon I felt that it was okay, that the situation was fine. I haven’t worked out of home since I delivered my first child and I am grateful for a loving husband who has let me stay home with our beautiful children.
Unfortunately I have had this happen. I was laid off from my teaching job last spring due to the insane budget cuts her in CA. It was a little scary. We knew we would be OK for awhile with unemployment, but knowing that there wouldn’t be any teaching jobs in the near future was a little frightening. As it turned out, after ten years of trying to get pregnant and doing in-vitro multiple times, I got pregnant naturally during this “off” time. He was just just born two weeks ago. I know financially things will be tight, but what a blessing it has been!
I have experienced 2 separate instances of downsizing due to merger and it has really put me in a better place at the end of it all. The first time was a complete and total shock and although they provided counselling and back to work assistance, I was destroyed and totally took it personally. I rebounded and found myself with a much much better opportunity. 10 years later a similiar situation with different circumstances, I have rebounded much quicker as I understood it was business and came from a much bigger place. I’ve been through the depression associated with this and it is a journey that I am still in the process of taking!!
I visited Dominique’s blog and she is some remarkable women. I am going to give this book to everyone I know, it looks fabulous and I have a feeling it will inspire anyone that reads it.
Thank you for sharing and Happy Weekend!! xOxO
This sounds like a book I would really enjoy reading. I have never lost a job in this way and have the privilege of working a job I enjoy at this time. I have many friends who have been through layoffs and I have seen how hard is can be for them as they work through the hard times and seek to move forward.
This book sounds like such a great and inspiring read! It would be so nice to win a copy. I, too, have experienced a sudden job loss on a couple of occasions in the past and each time felt as if there was no air left for me to breathe. But soon thereafter another opportunity presented itself and I was grateful for the turn of events. I truly felt as if God finally did for me what I did not have the courage to do for myself in leaving those positions. Now I hope that my current position will sustain me until such time as I decide to retire. Nice review, Rhoda.
This happen to me last July. I can’t believe it has almost been a year. It has taken me a long time to get past it all. I would love to read this book. I wish I knew about it 6 months ago.
Many Blessings,
Heidi
I have been going through job loss transitions through my husband. He really has slowed down and has become a better husband and daddy. I think it has helped our family more than it has hurt us!
I have lost a job or two myself and they usually could never give me a reason why. But the last time I lost my job as an elementary school teacher due to cutbacks. I was devastated because I had just had a baby 2 weeks prior! I didn’t know what we were going to do and how we were going to do it with a brand new baby! But it ended up being an answered prayer (as I wished and wished to stay home to raise my child). God took care of us an still is 2 years later. But every time I have been “let go” I’ve felt lost, confused, wondered what I did wrong, sad, sick and just like I had no control…that they had all the control…all of it. And I didn’t like that. I vowed never to go back to that! I am now taking control of my own life and making my own way, and failure is not an option! I recently started my own home based business and am swearing off a traditional 9 to 5 job ever again! A great read is Robert Kiyosaki’s new book, “The Business of the 21st Century.” It’s excellent…and the main theme is to not depend on the dinosaur that is Corporate America and to make your own way…which is exactly what I’m doing. I’d love to win this book as well! Thanks for this post Rhoda.
This book sounds like an interesting read. I personally haven’t lost a job, since I’ve been a stay at home mom most of the time, but my husband has been laid off several times. You just learn to trust the Lord. He is our provider, after all. Thanks for the review, Rhoda.
Rhoda, Never lost a job but I would love to enter the give-a-way since I love to read and this book sounds very interesting! Mary
I’m looking forward to reading this book. Twenty years ago I lost my job and was fortunate enough to be in a financial position that gave me up to one year to find another if I “lived lean”. That allowed me to wait for the “right” job instead of having to take the first one for the money, but it did not minimize the emotional side of things. I have felt constant insecurity (and the stress that comes with it) ever since. If it happens again I hope to be able to take the opportunity to slow down and re-examine my life and hopefully find a new career.
I was “laid-off” two years ago, after 30 years at the same job. To say it was devastating, is an under-statement. I have gotten a job recently and the adjustment has been very trying. I am hoping things get better and that my husband will also find employment soon. Would love this inspiring book! Thanks for the give-away, and love your blog! 🙂
My heart goes out to everyone who has been laid off and hasn’t found a job yet! It has to be so devastating. I’ve come close but fortunately have never lost a job. A couple of weeks after I quit a banking job a few years ago, our dept. at the bank was dissolved due to a merger with another bank. I could kind of see what was coming, and had been wanting a job closer to home, so I just thank God that I got out of there in time! Thanks for entering me in your drawing. This book is on my list of one I’ve been wanting to read! Patti in TX