Yesterday, after a year of struggling, hard work and constant worry, the company I work for, finally went to its knees. Any day now, it will be officially proclaimed to be bankrupt. 7 years of working with the same people, 7 years of going to work every week day, doing the work I became really good at. Aiming to improve things, to make work better for everyone. Despite us having feared it for well over a year, it still came to me as a hard blow - and bit by bit, it's dawning on me how different my life will be.

Since the news was revealed, I've only had 3 hours of sleep. Multiple attempts of getting more shut-eye failed. What now? Will I ever see these colleagues again? How will it affect my life? All the memories of the past 7 years making me look back nostalgically.

The time when it was snowing and I was still cycling to work, a trip of 40 minutes which left me looking like a snow man, earphones plugged in as I listened to the "Top 2000 of best songs ever" the day before Christmas". The many laughs and stories shared between colleagues every day, having a chat with everyone, enjoying a nice cup of coffee on a winter morning to wake up, or the friendly mood everyone was in on a nice warm summer day.

So for two days now, I've felt frazzled and a bit lost as my life seems to have come undone at the edges - the ones that were tied to my job and colleagues. After all, a full time job fills the majority of your day and even after work, you think back on what is planned tomorrow, what you have to remember to do, etc.

Watching TV can't seem to distract me as my mind keeps drifting off. But one thing can: games. Old games. Games that actually remind me of my early teenage years. Instead of being reminded of work, it reminds me of different times and another life I had back then. In a sense, old games are what I always fall back on, no matter what. They're rooted in my past and many of my favourite games have specific memories attached.

Like Guilty, which I enjoyed playing on New Year's eve, before all the guests arrive, or Broken Sword, which I was playing on a warm summer's day as my father was preparing a barbecue outside. So many games, so many memories ...

And so, it goes to show - even when your life gets thrown upside down, the good old games are always there for you to distract you, soften the blow and to offer a comforting and familiar setting for you to get lost in. Now, excuse me while I continue my game of Ultima VIII.

Enjoy friend and good luck finding another job. :)

Thanks :p It's not going to be easy - bad times indeed.

Well I will hope and pray you do, for what it's worth....and you seem to be an intelligent person so hopefully it won't be too hard.

Also be sure to remain in contact with your friends from work, don't let them go if they mean so much to you. :)

I feel for you.
I've been warned that the chances are good the company I work for will be wound up Q3 2013.
I'm just hoping it won't be the week before Christmas....

Oh, man – you will have to face a nightmare that I fear most … I hope you find another job soon…Is it hard to get a proper one where you live?

About all I can do it to relate similar circumstances . . first time . . . I was on the job for twelve years . . . second time . . . three years . .. third time . . . five years . . . each closing the result of the economy. I felt much the same as you described the first couple of times. I began to think of each job as a chapter that was closed. Instead of moving forward while looking back turn around and think of the new job and friends that will be your future. Your friends from the job lost will still be around . . . mostly.

Spend your time reworking your resume and getting up to speed on job searching knowing that you will succeed. Change is a good thing, more opportunities to learn and expand.

Good luck of finding your next opportunity . . . =)

For now. but most times than note they were friends because of the job. without it the bonds will disappear soon unless there is something else to bind people together.


anyhow.
what did you do if i may ask?

Sorry to hear about that mate. It must be awful.

Like you say, at least you have some comfort from the good old games that remind you so fondly of your teenage years.

I found this to be especially true but I have a few friendships that survived . . . =)

Graphic designer in a printing office :) We shared our office with the company next door as well so they'll remain there so I guess I could drop by sometimes.

But yeah, I got along great with most people - and they liked me a lot too.