By Tope Olotu
On May 20, I became one of approximately 8,000 employees impacted by layoffs at Meta.
For the past four years, I have had the privilege of serving as a Program Manager, supporting incredible products, projects, and teams. And while this chapter is ending in a way I did not expect, I choose to hold both grief and gratitude at the same time.
I am grateful for the opportunity.
Grateful for the people.
Grateful for the lessons.
Grateful for the growth.
I worked with some truly brilliant and kind Meta teammates, and I do not take that experience for granted.
But this loss hurts too.
Any loss hurts.
But I have learned that grief is not weakness. It is human.
This one feels especially unique because my entire team was severely impacted, which somehow makes it even harder to process. There is something deeply painful about watching so many talented people experience the same loss all at once.
So I let myself feel it.
I let myself sit with the disappointment.
I let myself acknowledge the uncertainty ahead.
I let myself mourn the closing of a meaningful season.
And then, slowly, I rise.
Because this is just another pivot.
As someone who has lived and worked across three countries and two continents over the past two decades of my working life, I have learned that life will sometimes force you into unexpected transitions. Doors close. Plans shift. Entire seasons change without warning.
Yet somehow, through every transition, every setback, every unfamiliar beginning — we rise.
And I believe we will rise again.
“…slowly, I rise.
To my fellow Meta teammates who were impacted, and to anyone anywhere who has ever lost a job, an opportunity, or watched a chapter unexpectedly end: please remember that your value did not disappear with your title.
You are still gifted.
You are still capable.
You are still needed.
You are still becoming.
As for me, I am entering this next season open-hearted and hopeful.
I am excited to explore new opportunities and collaborations where I can continue using my skills and experiences across program management, nutrition, leadership, community impact, operations, mentorship, and people-centered work.
I genuinely believe some of the most beautiful chapters of our lives are written after the moments we never planned for.
And so, with faith, courage, and expectation…
Here’s to new beginnings.
TEA — Thoughts, Encouragement & Affirmations
Thoughts:
Sometimes life changes suddenly without our permission. But endings are not always failures; sometimes they are transitions preparing us for the next assignment.
Encouragement:
If you are grieving a job loss, a closed door, or an unexpected life shift, give yourself permission to feel it — but do not stay there forever. Rest if needed. Heal if needed. Then rise again.
Affirmations:
- I am not defined by one season of my life.
- My gifts still have value.
- New opportunities are coming my way.
- I have survived difficult transitions before.
- I am capable, resilient, and evolving.
- This is not the end of my story.
- Yet, I rise.
“Through every transition, every setback, every unfamiliar beginning — we rise.”
About Me
I am a certified project management professional, a community advocate, and a compassionate nutritionist.
I share thoughts, encouragement, and affirmations through my TeaWithTope posts. I also created Teal Nutrition, offering culturally relevant nutrition education and resources for agile living. Through ITOSugar, I share diabetes education content that speaks your language.
I am very active in my community, collaborating with others to educate and empower children, youth, young adults, women, and families through the non-profit initiatives I co-founded, including a youth club, Aspire Hub, and Tiraka, with branches in the United States, Canada, the UK, and Nigeria.
About TEAwithTope: Thoughts.
Encouragements.
Affirmations.
I share bite-sized reflections, personal thoughts, encouraging words, and affirmations rooted in truth through #TEAwithTope, where I invite you to pause and breathe, just like you would over a calming cup of tea.
