My Fight Against Anxiety, PTSD, and Depression After Being Laid Off

Hello! Who are you?

My name is Danielle Dahl. I am a passionate writer, mental health advocate, and co-founder of Resilient Stories. My husband of almost 22 years, two kids, two dogs, a cat, and a turtle all currently live in Billings, MT! I dedicate my life to helping others find strength and resilience through storytelling. 

A combination of personal struggles, academic pursuits, and professional experiences has shaped my journey. These have all culminated in my commitment to creating a supportive community where people can share their stories and find healing.

I hold an extensive business background, which has been instrumental in the development and success of Resilient Stories. I’m currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology, driven by a desire to provide authoritative information on trauma and mental health. 

This academic journey has not only deepened my understanding of my own struggles with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and ADHD, but also enhanced my ability to support others facing similar challenges.

Despite the challenges life has thrown my way, I’ve always believed in the power of resilience. From surviving a tumultuous childhood to navigating the complexities of adulthood, I’ve learned that thriving is a choice. 

Today, I consider myself happy, not because life is easy, but because I’ve found purpose in helping others on their journeys.

What is your struggle and when did it start?

I’ve been navigating the complexities of depression, anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD for much of my life. These struggles began in my childhood and early teens, triggered by significant trauma that set the stage for an ongoing battle with mental health.

Neglect, abuse, and the profound impact of my mother’s involvement in the witness protection program marked my childhood. These experiences left deep emotional scars that have taken years to understand and manage.

These challenges have ebbed and flowed over time. Yet, they’ve always been a constant presence, influencing how I see the world and interact with it.

The layoff from my well-paying job in November 2023 was a particularly difficult blow that intensified my struggles. This event disrupted my sense of stability and security, exacerbating my anxiety and depression.

However, it was during these darkest moments that I realized the importance of resilience. My survival instincts, honed from a young age, kicked in, and I knew I had to channel my energy into something positive. 

This led to the co-founding of Resilient Stories, a platform where I could not only share my journey but also help others navigate their own struggles.

How did this struggle make you feel at your worst moments?

At my worst moments, these struggles felt overwhelming, as if I were drowning in a sea of anxiety and despair. The weight of depression often made it difficult to see any light at the end of the tunnel, leaving me feeling isolated and hopeless. 

Anxiety amplified every worry, making it hard to focus on anything beyond the immediate fear of what might go wrong next. Particularly this idea that I would die at 40 like my mom did. She always claimed the zero years were cursed, and then she died two and a half months after turning 40. Several years later, my father turned 50 and then died exactly one month later.

The layoff derailed me, as it happened the year I turned 40. It not only took away my financial stability but also shook my sense of purpose. My entire identity was rooted in my dream career. Losing it felt like losing a part of myself. 

The anxiety and depression that followed were debilitating. For the first week after it happened, I was either actively crying or just kind of wandering through my house with no idea what to do next.

Although I tried to keep up appearances, those closest to me could see the toll it was taking. I wasn’t able to hide the exhaustion, the tears, or the constant worry. Yet, even in these dark moments, there was a part of me that knew I couldn’t give up. I had survived so much already and wasn’t about to let this defeat me.

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Was there a moment when you started to turn things around?

The turning point came when I realized that I could either let this layoff define me or use it as an opportunity to redefine myself. I chose the latter. Instead of wallowing in despair, I decided to channel my energy into something meaningful. 

That’s when the idea for Resilient Stories took hold (at 1:00 am!). I could barely wait until morning to call my friend and now business partner. We had both been laid off from the same website.

I co-founded Resilient Stories to turn my pain into purpose. By helping others share their stories of resilience, I found a renewed sense of direction and fulfillment. It wasn’t an overnight transformation, but a gradual process of reclaiming my power and using it to help others. 

I’d say about 90% of the change was because of my own actions—building this platform, creating content, and engaging with the community. I felt like I generated ideas at a near-constant rate (Hello, ADHD!) I also started immersing myself in practices like Yoga and Qigong. 

My circumstances influenced the remaining 10%, as the process of creating something new helped shift my focus away from my struggles and toward something positive. 

It took a few months to really see the impact of these efforts, but as Resilient Stories grew, so did my sense of purpose and hope. I wasn’t just surviving anymore—I was thriving in a way I never had by helping others find their own resilience.

What steps did you take to overcome your struggle?

One of the first steps I took was to acknowledge the depth of my struggle. I knew I couldn’t just cover up my feelings; I needed to confront them head-on. 

That meant leaning on the healthy habits I had developed over the years, such as regular exercise, mindful eating, journaling, and meditation. These practices kept me grounded and provided a sense of routine when everything else felt chaotic.

Another crucial step was channeling my energy into something productive. Co-founding Resilient Stories gave me a purpose during a time when I felt lost. It allowed me to take control of my narrative and turn my pain into something that could help others. 

If you’re in a similar situation, I recommend finding a project or cause that you’re passionate about. It doesn’t have to be grand—just something that gives you a sense of direction and fulfillment.

Seek support, whether from friends, family, or a professional. I had to learn the hard way that trying to carry the weight of my struggles alone wasn’t sustainable. Opening up to others, even just a little, can make a world of difference.

Have you shared any of this with people around you in real life?

Yes, I’ve always been an open book about sharing my struggles. Being vulnerable and honest about what I’m going through is not only healing for me, but also helps create a sense of community and connection with others. 

The very foundation of Resilient Stories is the idea that by sharing our stories, we can find healing and support in one another.

I’ve shared my journey with friends, family, and even in professional settings, where I feel it’s important to break down the stigma surrounding mental health. I’ve never shied away from being transparent about my experiences with PTSD, anxiety, and depression because I know how isolating it can feel to keep these struggles hidden. 

By opening up, I’ve connected with so many others who are going through similar things, and those connections have been incredibly powerful.

For me, sharing isn’t just about seeking support; it’s about giving others the courage to share their own stories and find their own paths to healing. The more we talk about mental health openly, the more we can dismantle the stigma and create a world where everyone feels safe to be themselves.

If you could give a single piece of advice to someone else that struggles, what would that be?

Be patient with yourself. I wish I knew that healing isn’t linear, and there are many methods out there. I have benefited from traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy and holistic therapies, like resonance re-patterning. What’s important is to keep moving forward, even if it’s just one small step at a time.

What have been the most influential books, podcasts, YouTube channels, or other resources for you?

Here are some of the resources that have been most impactful for me:

• Book: “The Body Keeps the Score” by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk: This book helped me understand the deep connection between trauma and the body. It provided me with insights into how my past traumas have affected me physically and mentally, and it offered practical advice for healing.
• Book: “Embrace Your Weird” by Felicia Day: This book encouraged me to embrace my quirks and creativity as a source of strength. It’s a wonderful guide to breaking free from self-doubt and finding your own path, which was incredibly empowering during my journey of self-discovery.
• YouTube Channel: Healing Positive Frequencies: This channel offers a wide range of healing frequencies, such as 888Hz and 1111Hz, that promote relaxation and emotional balance. I’ve found these frequencies to be incredibly soothing, especially during meditation or when I need to center myself.

Where can we go to learn more about you?

You can learn more about me and the work I’m doing at Resilient Stories by visiting our website, ResilientStories.com. I also have an extensive body of work at Medium.com and Everydaypower.com.

You can also follow us on social media, including Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, where we regularly share stories of resilience and mental health tips.

💡 By the way: If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here. 👇

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