Career setbacks have a way of hitting deeper than we expect. It’s rarely just about the roles, the paycheck, or the title. It’s about identity. It’s about the version of yourself you were becoming, the momentum you felt, and the confidence you carried into each workday.  When you lose a role, miss out on a promotion, get laid off, or feel pushed out of an environment you once believed in, something subtle but powerful can shift. You might still look capable on the outside, bu