Let me confess: I’m a Gen X’er, unemployed for over a year, and yes, it’s humbling. After working steadily since my university days in the ‘90s, losing my job as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) hit hard. I always knew working abroad wasn’t a forever gig, so for over a decade, I prepared for this moment—planning side hustles, exploring new skills, and bracing for the day I’d return to the Philippines. But no amount of preparation softens the blow when reality hits.

Don’t get me wrong—I’ve explored other income streams. (Curious? Check out my previous blogs for the full scoop, shameless plug intended.) Some days, I feel on top of the world; others, I’m left wondering, What did I do to deserve this? Is this what a midlife crisis feels like? Lost, depressed, uncertain? I can tell you this: no one is truly ready for it. But I’m not ashamed, and neither should you be. Many my age—maybe most—are grappling with similar struggles in one form or another. My goal in writing this is simple: to reach others like me and remind them they’re not alone.

Talking about it helps. It doesn’t erase the daily grind or silence the negative thoughts, but it lightens the load. I’ve always believed in being honest with myself, and that’s what keeps me grounded. Faith plays a big role for me—my trust in God gives me strength. Your anchor might be different, but as long as you have something to hold onto during tough times, you can face anything.

I recently shared with a close frat bro that I’ve reinvented myself multiple times as an adult. Each shift was abrupt, life-altering, and, in hindsight, a mini-crisis of its own. Back in Manila, I worked tirelessly in QC, Ortigas and Makati, climbing the ladder to become head of my department. That triumph was short-lived. Just two months after my promotion in May 2005, it was rescinded. The reason? I was “too young and inexperienced.” That was my first taste of a midlife crisis—at a younger age. It shook my confidence and left me questioning my worth.

By September 2005, I was on a plane to Qatar, leaving that chapter behind. I landed in the desert, doing work I wasn’t trained for, feeling out of my depth. Yet, I adapted. In early 2006, I found myself in Spain, conducting GAP analysis for an ISO certification—a field I knew little about. I persevered, proving to myself I could tackle any challenge. Later that year, I returned to Spain again for audits and took on field safety inspections in QHSE, learning the ropes quickly. Over two decades, I worked with four multinational companies, becoming a HSSE manager in our power plant, becoming a senior consultant for almost a decade, becoming a Chartered Member of IOSH, pouring my heart into each role. But by June 2024, with our project 98% complete, the company let me go. All these companies taught and treated me well and I gave all to them in return. I am forever grateful for the experience I had.

I wasn’t shocked—I’d been preparing for this for years. But knowing something might happen and living it are two different beasts. Returning to the Philippines, reality sank in. This is my midlife crisis, and it’s different now because of my age. The doubts creep in, the self-pity lingers, but I refuse to let them define me. I’ve been here before, and I know I can rise again.

Now, I’m diving into sales—something I’d have laughed at years ago. Me, a sales agent? Untrained and untested, yet here I am. I’m also exploring digital marketing, writing blogs, and even building my own website—none of which I could’ve predicted. It’s all new, and I’m okay with that. I know myself: I’ll keep learning, adapting, and pushing forward, even if I don’t always succeed. (Side note: my golf game still stinks, no matter how hard I try—smile!)

I’m not here to preach that “everything will be fine” or claim I’m some guru with all the answers. I’m just a guy who’s been through it, picking himself up to start anew. My hope is that in the coming months, my blog will tell a story of success in this new chapter—or at least another step in this unpredictable journey. To anyone facing their own crisis, I pray you find the strength to keep going. We’re in this together.