I got laid off from Meta as a low performer. I wish people told me to budget, downsize, and create a plan immediately.

• Brittney Ball has been searching for a full-time job since her layoff at Meta in 2025.
• Ball says she underestimated the job market and wishes she budgeted for a year of unemployment.
• She says building her startup in public and starting a Substack have created new streams of income.

Remember your worth and don’t self-isolate

Being in community is also really important at this time. Self-isolation will only drag you into a dark place that you don’t want to be in right now. So many people are going through the same thing as you, so lean on them.

Do you have a story to share about how you’re navigating unemployment after a layoff? If so, please reach out to the reporter at tmartinelli@businessinsider.com.