Let go or let free?
- Lily
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Lily Zalewski
February 2, 2026
A year ago, I was let go from my job.
I was lost, sad, and a bit aimless, even though I had decided I would pursue self-employment.
As a remote employee reaching the end of a rotational program, I was anxiously hoping my employer would make an exception to their new policy requiring relocation and onsite attendance for permanent roles. I had worked hard to earn competitive rotational positions, built a strong reputation, and formed meaningful friendships while doing challenging work. When I joined in 2020, the company had promoted remote work as fundamental to their culture. Just a few years later, a sudden policy shift left my future uncertain, and despite my efforts, the outcome was entirely out of my hands.
Since I knew in advance that I would be let go, I did a lot of reflecting. I applied to job after job and didn’t feel many sparks of excitement.
I thought to myself, "I know I’m valuable. I know I do good work. Why don’t I take my power into my own hands and be my own boss?"
So the adventure began. I didn’t even have a business name figured out yet, but I decided to tell friends and colleagues that this was my plan so they could keep me accountable as I built it. Saying it out loud made it real. I’m going to be a business owner. I am going to be my own boss.
There’s that saying about hitting rock bottom... that it allows you to kick off from the floor and back up to the surface with renewed energy. I really felt that way.
I’ll spare you the details of the path down to the rocky bottom, but on the way up, I:
Got better help for my mental health
Stuck to a routine of exercise, eating well, and sleeping well
Leaned into the friends who checked in on me
Reached out to newfound friends
Joined a volunteer group to build roots within my community
Found accountability in mentors and coaches while I built up my business
Traveled
Rested
Spent time with family
Read a lot of books
Fed my creativity with knitting, crochet, and watercolor
I’m not sure that I’m at the surface just yet, but I do feel immense pride in giving myself the time and space to heal from the heartbreak of feeling unworthy. Today, I have my business established, plans to exhibit at a conference, and smiling faces in my workshops. With each day feeling happier and more empowered, I am starting to think I wasn’t let go... I was let free.
Onward,
Lily
P.S. I am now enrolling for my first cohort of the Leader Intensive on February 23rd! Use the link below to learn more. All upcoming dates are at the bottom of the page.
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