Article: Loss and change can be devastating, but they also offer us new opportunities to evaluate who we are and what we are doing. Chances are your goals and dreams are different now than they were five or ten years ago, and yet you may have become blind to that change because of habit and circumstance. Any time you suffer a loss or a sudden change, use it as an opportunity to reassess and re-evaluate your life. Many people see a loved one's death, for example, as a wakeup call to do things differently or stop putting off long-term goals. A job loss can also be a wakeup call to find a job that offers more happiness and fulfillment. Ask yourself honestly if your current goals and personal values are the same as they used to be. If they are not, find ways to incorporate your new goals and values into your life. Many people fear change, especially big changes that can seem life-altering. But change isn't always a bad thing - in fact, it's normal and healthy for our circumstances to change, and some experts advise that anyone going through change should adapt and modify their identity, rather than resisting inevitable change. Ask yourself if, in ten or twenty years, you would regret not having taken a chance at trying something new or doing things differently. Allow yourself to go through a process of self-discovery. Figure out what it is that you want most in life, and find a way to work toward that goal from your current self. As you imagine your future self, don't forget that that self is still you. Don't expect to be a different person. Rather, anticipate that experience will make you wiser and more informed than you are, without distancing you from your core self. Some people who have been laid off or otherwise lost a job/status may feel a sense of identity crisis, not knowing what to do or how to pick up the pieces. Some experts advise that one of the best things you can do after losing a job that you loved is to explore other options, seeking ways to do the same work in a different setting. Consider freelance work in your chosen field. It may not be your ideal job position, but it will allow you to continue working in a field you enjoy, which can help renew your sense of purpose. Try networking. Some employment positions are only advertised internally, to other employees. This is why networking with other professionals in your field can be tremendously beneficial. It opens doors on new opportunities that you might have otherwise missed, and can help you feel like you are part of a larger community of likeminded professionals. Develop new habits that will help you get where you want to be. Doing the same things you've been doing for years probably won't get you on a different track, so work hard at making the necessary changes.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Reassess your life. Open yourself to change. Explore your options.