'It's never just about losing job, but a piece of your identity': Ankur Warikoo on employees getting laid off

Layoffs are never just about paychecks—they cut deeper, shaking one’s sense of identity and belonging. Entrepreneur and author Ankur Warikoo recently shared a heartfelt reflection on Instagram, speaking to the millions who’ve faced sudden job losses. With his characteristic candour, Warikoo highlighted the unseen emotional toll of being laid off and offered words of perspective and resilience, reminding people that setbacks, no matter how painful, don’t define the rest of their journey.

Warikoo explained that losing a job often feels like losing much more—the routine, the pride, and the sense of purpose that work provides. “Being laid off is never just about losing a job. It’s about losing a piece of your identity,” he wrote, capturing the disorienting emotions that follow such a moment. He acknowledged the anger and hurt that come with being “suddenly nothing for the company you gave everything to.” For many, he said, the pain lingers every morning until, slowly, it doesn’t anymore.

Use this time as an opportunity

Yet, Warikoo urged people to view this time as an opportunity rather than just a wound. He shared advice he wished every laid-off employee could hear: “If you go on to live for 80 years, then this moment will mean nothing!” According to him, the space created by job loss can be used to rediscover oneself, pursue long-postponed passions, and rebuild a sense of self-worth beyond corporate validation. “Use this time to prove to yourself what you’re made of,” he encouraged, offering a reminder that the darkest chapters often precede new beginnings.

Internet reacts

Many users resonated deeply with Ankur Warikoo’s words. One person shared that losing a job truly feels like losing a part of oneself, but with time, everything does eventually fall into place. Another reflected that while a layoff isn’t just about the paycheck, it’s also about losing a sense of identity—yet the real story is what comes next, not the setback itself.



Some recalled their own experiences, saying they initially felt completely lost after being laid off, but later realised it was the push they needed to discover their true path. Others found Warikoo’s perspective comforting, noting that what feels like an ending in the moment often turns out to be the beginning of something better