I got laid off from Meta as a low performer. I wish people told me to budget, downsize, and create a plan immediately.

Former Meta employee Brittney Ball recounts being laid off in February 2025 and spending over a year unemployed, urging others hit by Meta’s cuts to treat job hunting like a full-time job, budget for at least a year without income, downsize living costs, and build immediate action plans. She pivoted to entrepreneurship — building and selling a startup, launching a Substack and podcast, and monetizing AI-audit consulting — which provided income and hiring leads. Key market implications: Meta layoffs increase competition for talent, push experienced workers toward freelancing and entrepreneurship, and heighten the importance of personal branding and alternative income streams during prolonged hiring slowdowns.