Losing your job isn’t just about updating your résumé and sending out applications. It’s a jolt to your routine, your sense of security, and sometimes even your identity.

I’m in that season right now. After more than seven years in ecommerce leadership, I’m stepping into a new chapter — exploring what’s next and using this moment to be intentional about the direction I take. I wanted to share this journey in real time, not as a polished “looking back” story, but as someone walking through it day by day.

My goal is simple: to document what I’m doing, the steps I’m taking, and how I’m leaning on faith to stay grounded. Whether you’re going through the same thing or just want a behind-the-scenes look at how I’m navigating a career transition, I hope you’ll find encouragement, practical takeaways, and maybe even a bit of inspiration for your own path.

Over the next few sections, I’ll share not just advice on what to do after losing your job, but the exact moves I’ve made — from updating my online presence, to building a daily routine, to keeping my mindset focused on what’s ahead rather than what’s behind.

Once you’ve read this, I’d love for you to stay connected — whether that’s following along on LinkedIn, signing up for my weekly email, or just reaching out to say hello. This is a journey, and I’d be glad for the company along the way.

Before you start sending out applications, you need to take a breath and process what just happened.

The Emotional Impact of Losing Your Job (And Why You Need to Acknowledge It)

The first 48 hours after losing your job can feel like a blur. For me, it was a mix of shock, adrenaline, and a surprising amount of energy to “fix it” right away. I got busy — updating my LinkedIn, touching up my website, reworking my résumé — but I also knew I needed to take a deep breath before letting this season set my mindset for the months ahead.

It’s tempting to treat job loss like a house fire — rushing to put out every flame before you’ve even assessed the damage. But if you skip over acknowledging what’s happened, you can miss the chance to process it in a healthy way. That’s not just a mental health tip; it’s a biblical principle.

(Psalm 34:18) reminds us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” And (Philippians 4:6–7) calls us to bring everything — including our career fears — to God in prayer, with the promise that His peace will guard our hearts and minds.

Taking that moment to be honest with yourself (and with God) doesn’t slow you down; it actually steadies you for the road ahead.

If you’ve been through this before, I’d love to hear — what did your first few days look like after losing your job?

Once you’ve taken that breath, it’s time to anchor yourself in something unshakable.

Why Faith Matters Most When You’re Facing Job Loss

This season has pushed me to lean on God more intentionally than I have in years. (Isaiah 55:11) has been my anchor: “…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire…” That verse reminds me that what God intends will come to pass — not even job loss can derail His plans.

I wrote recently about those moments when life feels good on the outside, but you still can’t seem to breathe. If that tension resonates with you, I shared more in Still Fighting: When Life Is Good But You Can’t Seem to Breathe.

Trusting God after losing your job doesn’t mean believing everything will unfold exactly the way you want. It means knowing that nothing is wasted. Just like I wrote about in my book He Didn’t Waste a Thing, even the setbacks become part of the story God is writing.

Right now, “seeking first the Kingdom” (Matthew 6:33) looks like starting my mornings with prayer, reading Scripture, and simply talking to God about my day. I’ve been keeping worship music playing while I work and even taking walks just to think and pray. These rhythms keep me grounded and remind me that my worth and my future aren’t tied to a job title — they’re tied to Him.

Faith has been my steadying force in the middle of uncertainty. It doesn’t erase the work ahead, but it gives me the peace to face it without fear.

Faith gives you peace — but you still need to get practical.

First Steps I Took Immediately After Losing My Job

When you’re facing job loss, it’s tempting to start firing off applications right away. But I decided to dedicate my first week to building a solid foundation before applying anywhere. I call it my “foundation week” — the time to make sure all my assets are ready so when opportunities come, I’m presenting my best self.

The first thing I tackled was Gunner Media — my old freelance/marketing agency site. It had been sitting untouched for years, so I stripped it down to a clean, single-page résumé site. Now it serves as a self-hosted résumé with a booking link so people can easily schedule a call.

Next was a full LinkedIn overhaul. I updated my profile picture and header, rewrote my about section to highlight achievements, and clearly signaled that I’m open to work. I wanted anyone landing on my page to instantly understand what I do and how to contact me.

And for the first time in years, I rebuilt my professional resume as a polished PDF. I’ll admit, ChatGPT played a big role in helping me tighten the language and formatting. It’s something I plan to adapt for different roles as I go, but now I have a strong, professional starting point.

If you’re curious to see what I’ve done so far, you can check out my LinkedIn profile or visit GunnerMedia.com for an example of how I’ve set things up.

It reminded me of a season when I realized I couldn’t stay the same anymore, and had to start over with fresh discipline. I talk about that shift in The Day I Realized I Couldn’t Stay This Way.

Building a Daily Routine That Keeps Me Grounded

One of the biggest challenges after losing your job is the sudden lack of structure. It’s easy for days to blur together if you’re not intentional. From day one, I decided that my routine wasn’t going anywhere. In fact, I doubled down on it.

I still wake up at 4:30 a.m., make my coffee, and start my morning with time in prayer and Scripture. That early time with God sets the tone for everything else. From there, I move into focused work blocks — job searching, refining my professional materials, and setting the groundwork for networking. If I’m updating my site or reaching out to a contact, it happens during “work hours,” just like when I was going into the office.

I’ve also kept my diet and fitness consistent. In the past, stressful seasons sometimes led me to slip into binge eating or skipping workouts, but not this time. I take walks to clear my head and pray, and I keep my eating in check to avoid letting my health slide.

For me, discipline beats motivation every time. I can’t control when the perfect opportunity shows up, but I can control whether I’m physically, mentally, and spiritually ready for it.

That’s been my theme for a while now — discipline is what frees you, not motivation. I shared more about that mindset in Discipline Isn’t Punishment. It’s How I Got Free.

Once the routine was in place, I started to see this season differently.

The Mindset Shift That Turns Job Loss Into an Opportunity

When this transition first hit, my gut reaction was simple: build up the agency so this never happens again. It was almost a reflex — the idea of taking control and making sure I’d never be in this position again.

But as the initial adrenaline wore off, I realized I needed to take a more open-handed approach. Yes, I’m still interested in growing the agency side, but I’m also willing to explore a wide range of possibilities — full-time, fractional, freelance, consulting — anything that aligns with my skills and values. The only hard boundary I’ve set is that I’m not relocating. One of my commitments as a father has been to give my kids stability in school and friendships, so we’re staying planted here in Central Florida.

Instead of seeing this as an ending, I’m choosing to see it as a pivot point. God has a way of using seasons like this to redirect us toward opportunities we might never have considered. My role is to stay ready, stay disciplined, and keep my eyes open for what He brings next.

If you’ve ever felt stuck or broken during a setback, I wrote about how God reminded me that you’re not broken — just stuck — in You’re Not Broken. You’re Just Stuck.

With that mindset, I started opening doors for what’s next.

Exploring New Opportunities After Losing Your Job

One thing I’ve been intentional about from the start is keeping the door wide open to different possibilities. While I’m certainly looking at full-time roles, I’m also open to contract work, fractional leadership positions, or freelance projects. That kind of flexibility creates more ways for the right opportunity to find me — and in a season like this, that’s valuable.

Even my business cards reflect that mindset. They’re minimal, clean, and designed with purpose: my name, my title — Strategic Marketing Leader — and my email address tied to GunnerMedia.com. The real centerpiece is the QR code in the bottom corner, which leads directly to my LinkedIn profile. From there, people can see my full work history, portfolio links, résumé, and all the ways they might work with me. It’s like handing someone a business card and a handshake that says, “Let’s explore the right fit together.”

I also chose a matte finish instead of gloss. It’s a small design choice, but it lets me write personal notes directly on the card. Whether it’s a quick follow-up reminder, a website recommendation, or a custom tip, that handwritten element creates a personal connection. People are far more likely to hold onto something that feels like it was made just for them — and in networking, that matters.

While you explore, you also have to watch out for the traps that can derail you.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid During a Job Loss Season

It’s easy to think the only way forward is to bury yourself in the job hunt until something sticks. But from what I’ve learned — both in the military and in business — that’s a fast track to burnout.

The first trap is isolation. When you’re in transition, it’s tempting to pull back and figure it all out on your own. I’ve made a point to stay connected to my wife, my kids, close family, and my pastor. They’re not just emotional support — they’re perspective when my mind starts to wander toward fear or frustration.

Another trap is overworking the job search. It’s important to be diligent, but you can’t live in application portals all day. That’s why I’ve built in breaks for exercise, prayer, and walks — it keeps me sharp and prevents burnout.

Then there’s bitterness and comparison. If you’re not careful, you can spend more energy looking sideways at other people’s careers than you do looking forward at your own opportunities. I’ve had to remind myself daily that my path is mine — not anyone else’s.

What about you? If you’ve been through job loss, what traps did you have to watch out for?

One of the best ways to avoid those traps is to intentionally stay connected.

I’m also looking for ways to plug into faith-based community — whether that’s small groups, accountability calls, or coffee with someone who’s been through similar seasons. The goal isn’t just to talk about jobs, but to share life, encourage each other, and pray together.

Networking meetups are another piece of the puzzle. Sometimes they lead directly to opportunities, but even when they don’t, they build relationships that matter. And every positive interaction adds fuel to keep moving forward.

Encouragement is contagious. The more I stay around people who speak life, the more resilience I have to keep taking the next step.

And if you’re tired of feeling like you keep starting over again and again, I think you’ll connect with What to Do When You’re Tired of Starting Over.

Here’s the one thing I want you to remember if you’re losing your job.

Final Encouragement: Losing Your Job Doesn’t Define You

If you’re in a career transition right now, I want you to hear this clearly — losing your job doesn’t define you. It’s a chapter, not the ending of your story.

This season doesn’t erase your skills, your character, or the impact you’ve made. It doesn’t cancel the plans God has for you. It’s simply one stretch of the road that may lead to places you never expected.

My goal in this time is simple: stay faithful, stay disciplined, and keep my hands open for whatever God places in front of me. That’s the posture that turns uncertainty into opportunity.

If you want to follow my journey in real time, see what I’m learning, and get encouragement for your own walk, you can sign up for my weekly email here — and we can walk through this together.

I’d also love to connect with you personally. You can find me on LinkedIn or email me at [your email address]. Whether you’re in the middle of a transition or just want to stay connected, my inbox is always open.

No matter where you are in the process, remember this: God is still writing your story, and He doesn’t waste a thing.

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