Getting laid off was one of the best things that happened to me. I say that lightly, because layoffs are hard. There’s uncertainty, stress, and a very real “what now?” that comes with them. But in my case, having the decision made for me forced me to answer that question. At the time, I had a few side ventures I cared about, but I probably would’ve kept treating them like side ventures if I’d stayed comfortable. Instead, I suddenly had the freedom (and the pressure) to see what could happen if I actually bet on them. That changed everything. Sometimes you already have the feeling that where you are isn’t where you’re meant to stay. And then something happens that pushes you out before you’re ready to leave on your own. It doesn’t always feel like a blessing in the moment. But sometimes the thing that feels like the door closing is what finally gives you the space to go after the thing you’ve been putting off. You don’t really understand that freedom until you experience it. Fro...