Layoff Drama: From Zero to Henchman in One Month
She was let go after almost a year in a tech start‑up, a week before her birthday. That hit was so hard it locked her from telling anyone—family included—for more than a month.
The Unexpected Slack
- Remote looper: She was working from the US when her manager called for a meeting.
- “Just a quick chat”: Not expecting a fate‑changing conversation.
- Spotlights on “big” investors: The firm’s megafunding made layoffs feel like a surprise plot twist.
Open‑Hearted Confessional on TikTok
On Oct 26, TikTok star @joeyxpoey (Joey Ong) opened a confession that went viral, gathering 60k+ views.
“It’s been over a month since the layoff and I’ve held back from telling anyone—especially my family. I’ve finally felt ready to speak out,” she said.
Reality Check: The Clinic of Mental Health
- Low self‑confidence: She admitted feeling “empty” and “not good enough.”
- LinkedIn walls: The thought of re‑applying triggers a mental wipe‑out.
- Therapy costs: In Singapore’s high‑living environment, a quick mental health check already hits the wallet.
Family the Rock of Reality
Joey eventually broke the news to her relatives. She felt they “knew she had lost her work laptop,” showing they caught the gist an instant.
Carving New Paths
- Time off: She uses it to upskill and “think about life.”
- Side gigs: She’s taken part‑time jobs she’s always wanted.
- Helping hand: “If you’re in the same spot, I’m here to talk. We’re in this together!”
What the Crowd Says
Over 500 comments poured in, with many praising her honesty, empathy, and jokes about “re‑starting the pull‑up.”
Takeaway
Being let go is harder for us than the jobs themselves. Joey’s story underscores that the right help—be it friends, family, or a good laugh—can reset you faster than the next resume.
Ong Shares Her Journey on TikTok – “It’s Okay Not to Be Okay”
On October 29, the TikTok update from Ong—who filmed the original clip “a while ago”—hits the sweet spot of authentic vulnerability. In the clip, she talks about being in the acceptance stage of her grieving process, a phase she says she’s finally made peace with.
Why Feeling Not Okay is Totally Normal
Ong picked up where she left off in the video: “It’s okay not to be okay.” She told AsiaOne that a flood of responses has made the whole moment feel genuinely grounded. When she saw the hundreds of comments, she was both surprised and soothed by the fact that everyone else’s feelings felt just as real.
From Comments 2.0: Strangers Becoming Support Squad
“The strangers on the internet have helped me count my blessings,” Ong says, adding that many of them are or were in an even tougher spot. She’s actually started chatting with a handful of them to see how they can step up for one another.
- Support Group Alert: Connections beyond the screen are forming.
- Lesson Learned: Sharing vulnerability can turn strangers into allies.
Ong’s quick dash from raw grief to a community of empathy proves that sometimes a TikTok video can be the catalyst for turning pain into purpose—one comment, one message, one heart‑felt connection at a time.
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