I too was once laid off about 6 years ago and I thought it was joever. Nearly had an anxiety attack but with the extra time I had I went back to college and managed to transfer into an Ivy League university. Got my bachelors and entered the labor market about a year ago.
Let me tell you, the labor market is FU---D, especially with the Trumpito tariffs kicking in. So maintain those personal relationships and connections if you can.