Six months ago, I got laid off. Since then, I have launched websites, bought a few domains, let others expire, traveled a fair amount, kept training, and spent more time than I expected wondering what I am supposed to be doing next. Here is the update, minus the neat and tidy conclusion.
April 8: Well, That Was Unexpected
April 8, 2026. That was my last day at WebDevStudios. Not exactly how I had planned to start the next chapter, but here we are. The first 12 to 24 hours after getting laid off? Yeah, I was stressed. Mostly about money, because that is generally what happens when the paycheck suddenly stops showing up.
But once I got past that initial shock, I took a look at the bigger picture. We had no family credit card debt, although I still had some business debt that I would certainly like to see disappear. We also had enough financial runway to get us through at least six months, possibly nine. That changed my perspective. I was not thrilled about being laid off, but I also realized I had a little room to breathe.
If the right job had landed in my lap a week later, especially one in a field I am excited about, I probably would have taken it. Getting ahead of that business debt would feel pretty darn good. But since that did not happen, I decided to see what I could do with this unexpected stretch of time. I have been calling it my semi-retirement, or sabbatical. “Unplanned career intermission” might be more accurate.
Six Months of Going Places and Doing Things
I have covered a fair amount of ground since April. Georgia for the RIA Summit. Nevada for TrailCon. Arizona for WordCamp US. California to see family and friends. Michigan to visit a friend and his family. And Greece for a vacation with my better half. Looking at that list, I realize my calendar has not exactly been empty.
Of course, there is a question that comes with all that travel: Should someone without a full-time job really be spending money on plane tickets and trips? Believe me, I have asked myself that. The conferences were opportunities to connect, learn, and invest in relationships that may lead somewhere down the road. The visits with friends and family mattered for different reasons. And Greece? That was about the two of us enjoying an experience while we could.
Could we have kept that money in the bank? Sure…. But we had planned for it, mostly! My wife is working, and we had the opportunity. I am increasingly aware that “we will do that someday” is not much of a guarantee. I am not advocating ignoring the bills. I am trying to balance taking care of tomorrow with actually living today. Not every experience needs to come with a business plan or a measurable return on investment.
Building Things, Abandoning Things, and Learning About Myself
When I am not on a plane or out for a run, I have been doing what I apparently do best: coming up with ideas. I have bought a few domains, let a few others expire, launched some websites, and kept creating content. RunAdam.run, KitchenSinkWP, videos, newsletters, and some other projects have all gotten pieces of my attention. ConciergeWP is still there for existing clients, but I have deliberately stepped back from actively trying to grow it.
The one project I am particularly proud of is NeedAPacer.com. I had an idea, moved quickly, and got something real out into the world for the running community. That part was fun. On the flip side, I still have not finished my UESCA ultra-running coaching certification, and The Runner Guide has not made it across the finish line either. Apparently, getting excited about a new idea and patiently finishing an existing one are two different skill sets. Who knew? (Okay, probably everyone who knows me.)
I have also read a bunch of books, including about ADHD, and found myself relating to some of the ideas around ADHD and VAST tendencies. I am not announcing a diagnosis here. I am simply noticing patterns: I love starting things, connecting people, solving problems, and creating. I do better with structure and accountability than I sometimes want to admit. That is not an excuse for unfinished work. It is useful information about how I operate, and maybe how I can operate a little better.
The Ups and Downs of Not Having a Traditional Job
And yes, I am still applying for jobs. Marketing, community, creative work, customer-facing roles, opportunities in and around the running world, and even a few directions that might surprise people. The more I explore, the more I notice a common thread: I like working with people, telling stories, connecting ideas, and helping make things happen. The right opportunity could still come along, and I am open to it.
The application process itself remains a special kind of adventure. You put effort into a resume, an application, maybe a cover letter, and sometimes get absolutely nothing back. Not even a polite “no thanks.” Meanwhile, the financial runway that felt generous in April has a calendar attached to it. We are okay, but it is not as though I can pretend money does not matter. There are days I would happily welcome the predictability of a paycheck.
Emotionally, it has been a mixed bag. I have been happy. I have been sad. I have been bored. I have had days where I got a ton done and days where I looked up and wondered what, exactly, I accomplished. Sometimes I feel energized by all the possibilities. Other times, having so many possible directions is exhausting. It turns out that not having a boss or a full-time schedule does not automatically make every Tuesday feel like vacation. Sometimes it just feels like Tuesday.
What’s Next? Your Guess Is as Good as Mine
The good news is that running continues to give me something concrete to work toward. In about four weeks, I will be lining up for another attempt at 100 miles. There is a training plan, a goal, and a finish line. I may not always know what I am working toward when I open my laptop, but when I lace up my shoes, I have a pretty good idea. Even if that idea involves running through the night and questioning my own judgment somewhere around mile 70.
When I talked about this on my podcast at the three-month mark, I said I was busy, but busy was not necessarily the same as focused. Three months later, I think that is still true. I have made things, met people, seen places, learned about myself, and continued looking for the right professional opportunity. I have also left some things unfinished. I am not going to try to turn every one of those experiences into a profound life lesson.
So, six months in, do I have a big announcement? Nope. I am still trying to figure out what comes next, and maybe that is okay. I would like more clarity, and I would definitely like to make a dent in the remaining business debt. But I am grateful for the chance to spend time with people I care about, build things I believe in, and see what this chapter might become. For now, I will keep applying, creating, connecting, and moving forward. Literally, in a few weeks, for 100 miles.