Relieved It Wasn't Me
I saw another post this morning.
“After 15 years, I’m available for new opportunities.”
The LinkedIn euphemism for “I just got laid off.”
That’s twelve this year. Twelve friends and colleagues. Gone.
Not junior designers finding their footing. Highly skilled designers who’ve been doing this for years.
It’s started feeling normal.
That’s what bothers me most.
I scroll LinkedIn and I’m not even surprised anymore.
“Open to work” badges have become wallpaper.
It’s happening so often I’ve become numb to it.
These aren’t small studios.
Big tech. Major game companies. The places with names you know.
The places we thought were stable. The places that used to mean you’d “made it.”
Now they’re cutting 10%, 15%, sometimes 30% of their workforce.
And calling it “rightsizing.”
Every time I see a new post, I do the same thing.
Drop a heart. Send a DM. Close LinkedIn and feel relieved it wasn’t me.
Then feel guilty about feeling relieved.
Then wonder when it will be me.
Here’s what nobody says out loud:
These layoffs aren’t about performance. They’re about numbers on a spreadsheet.
AI promises efficiency. Shareholders want growth. Executives need to show they’re “optimizing.”
And suddenly twelve people I know are looking for work. Twelve talented designers who did everything right.
Didn’t matter.
I used to think experience protected you.
I don’t believe that anymore. I’ve watched people with 20+ years get cut.
Experience doesn’t protect you. Being good doesn’t protect you.
Being in the wrong headcount column on the wrong quarter? That’s what matters.
So what do we do?
Here’s what I’ve started doing:
Building in public. Writing this newsletter. Showing my work.
Not because it’ll protect me from layoffs. But because I don’t want my entire identity tied to a company that could cut me tomorrow.
Talking to my network more. Actually showing up. Actually helping when I can.
Because your network is the only safety net you have.
Learning new skills. The meta-skills: writing, teaching, building an audience, creating value outside of a W-2.
The things that travel with you when the job doesn’t.
I’m also done pretending this is normal.
It’s not normal to see this many talented people lose their jobs.
It’s not normal to feel lucky just because you still have a paycheck.
We’ve normalized something that shouldn’t be normal.
If you just got laid off:
It’s not your fault. You’re talented. The system is broken, you’re not.
If you’re still employed:
Check on your people. Not just the LinkedIn “support” button—actually reach out.
Because we’re all one spreadsheet away from being on the other side.
The truth:
The company doesn’t have your back.
But your community can.
If you’re willing to show up for them.
So I’m showing up.
For my friends looking for work.
For designers trying to figure out what’s next.
For anyone reading this who’s scared they might be next.
You’re not alone in this.
If you know someone who just lost their job, send them this.
If you’re scared you might be next, hit reply. I read every email.
We’re figuring this out together.
Jon - “still here, still helping” - Wiggens
P.S. - If you have work or opportunities to share, do it today. Don’t wait. They need it now.