Lindsay Higgins worked for Westland Helicopters in Yeovil in Somerset for about nine years…from the day that she took redundacy, she recorded her highs and lows in an audio diary… ...

Lindsay Higgins

I’ve just pulled up outside my house its the day before the last day and I’ve spent most of today clearing out my desk …I’ve sent an email out inviting colleagues to come and join me tomorrow lunch time for a farewell drink…and I’m just starting to notice its really happening.

My last day at work..and all I’ve heard on the way in with all the conflict in the world is David Beckham’s foot. Not a single second dedicated to the fact that its my last day in employment. Such is the way of the world… For once the whole team is in on time…it must be a special day. Jill’s even baked a special carrot cake in my honour, its got a lot of fat in it. 11:30 on Friday and I’ve just been called to a meeting and I can guess what this is going to be…

In the personnel department Lindsay had to sign a termination form, confirming that she was redundant as of that day. She collects her cheque and her P45.

I decided I wasn’t going to party on and drink all afternoon and evening… and now’s the time to start chilling and start working out what I’m going to do next…and what I’m really worried about is losing the support and the familiarity and the safety net of having all those wonderful people I used to work with and knowing there’s going to be a pay packet coming in each month…I don’t feel too bad right now.

By lunchtime on Saturday…Lindsay realised that she was subconsciously cutting back on her spending, conscious of the fact that she no longer has an income…

Monday, my first unemployed day …on the advice of a friend , I’ve put together a schedule for the week and number one item for Monday was to have a lie-in until ten o’clock. Last week I was a programme manager in the aerospace industry and I’m determined this is an opportunity to make a changeToday is bright, I feel pretty confident, I think there’s plenty out there. Right now, I need to get on with doing a bit of a job hunting…I don’t feel like doing it..

I’ve organised to attend a leadership seminar in London, I’ve applied for a pub tenancy…I’ve pulled off the web some applications for an MBA and I also called the team at work to let them know that at 4 0’clock this afternoon, I was sitting in the garden enjoying the sun and was considering having a small lager!

My first 2 days of unemployment, I’ve tried to keep active, keep myself busy..I do have to try and get out of bed in the mornings..I still feel there are options out there and maybe today may give me yet another.Chances are I could be doing anything in 12 months time, even running a pub, whatever!