Redundancy doesn’t just take away your job. It can take your breath away. Your sense of safety. And if left unprocessed, your confidence too. Valeria Barattini, Ph.D. never saw it coming. One day she was doing what she’d always done; delivering, over-performing, being the steady hand. The next, it was over.

But this isn’t a story of loss. It’s a story of reclaiming career agency after shock.

When You Stay Too Long

Sometimes the misalignment isn’t obvious. You tell yourself you’re lucky to have flexibility. You’re good at what you do. It’s secure. But underneath, something’s eroding.

For Valeria, the slow fade started years before the redundancy. A quiet inner knowing that the role no longer fit. But like many high-achieving STEM women, she over-tolerated. She made it work. Until it didn’t.

That’s the paradox of staying too long in the wrong fit: it’s not dramatic, until it is.

The Stories We Tell Ourselves

After the shock wore off, a new voice crept in.

• “What did I do wrong?”
• “Why didn’t I see this coming?”
• “Is this somehow my fault?”

These are very human questions. But left unchecked, they become internal narratives that shape your next move and your sense of worth. What shifted everything for Valeria was support. Through The Career Design Mastermind she gave herself the space to:

• Feel the loss without making it mean something about her.
• Reframe the story from shame to strategy.
• Rebuild confidence before rushing into what’s next.

When Confidence Returns, So Does Choice

With coaching, Valeria reconnected to what truly energised her and this time, she didn’t try to figure it out alone.

She networked strategically on LinkedIn, not by blanket messaging but by:

1. Getting visible with her values
2. Sharing her expertise openly
3. Conducting informational interviews, not just speaking to hiring managers

She didn’t just “get back on the horse” she chose a new direction, aligned to her strengths and vision for the next phase of her career.

A Thought to Leave You With

Redundancy is not the end of your story. It’s a pause, a potent, painful, powerful one from which a deeper purpose can emerge.

You are not your job title. You are your vision and direction.

🎧 Listen to Valeria’s full podcast episode on your favourite platform ( iTunes │ Spotify )

Reflective Journal Prompts

• ☕ What has my current (or past) role been quietly eroding in me?
• ☕ What story have I been telling myself about setbacks in my career?
• ☕ If confidence wasn’t in question, what aligned next step would I take?

As always, I’m just an email away – whether you’re processing a pivot, rewriting a narrative, or preparing for what’s next.

Keep opening up,

Hannah

P.S. When you’re ready, here are three ways I can support you for free:

1. 📖 Step 1: Take the Career Accelerator Scorecard. Benchmark your career and receive your personalised strategy report. Start here
2. 💻 Step 2: Join the Intentional Careers™ Workshop. Free, actionable and hosted live. Register here
3. ➡️ Step 3: Book a free 45-minute 1-2-1 Strategy Session. Together we’ll shape a plan that fits your unique situation. Book here

P.P.S 🎤 Book me to speak. Now taking bookings for 2026. Find out more