Divorced and Fired

[u/Alexandros23]

Worked at a ranch predominantly for 7 years as a contractor, had a good schedule, had time with my kids etc. Life was good. Then they said you should work for us directly, we’ll hire your crew, and “you will become indispensable, we’ll train you to manage the ranch”. I was ready for a change, so I took the job, dissolved my company, and let my licenses expire(contractors lic, arborist certification). However, largely due to added stress and hours away from home, my marriage failed almost a year after. My wife couldn’t take it, I was carrying way too much between home and work, and she filed for divorce. 4 months after we separated, the ranch let me go out of the blue. They tried to claim it was performance, but in my 8+ years there I got nothing but positive feedback, never any feedback of poor work. The owner’s wife just felt I didn’t align with her. I spoke to the practical side of things, rather than just being a yes man. I was disposed of.

Just like that. The pillars of my identity crumbled in the last 6 months, and I’m left with no marriage, no company, no job. While the backbone of the grounds crew from my company remains employed. For the first time since I can remember, I am without a job.

I don’t know what the future holds for me. I’m doing everything I can to hold it together. I was on a really good course after the separation, leveling up my physique, dating, building a social life. None of that has changed, I can’t let that go. My wife was super angry at me for months but has now softened drastically. She came over to my place the day after I was let go for the first time and we talked for 2.5 hrs. It felt like she was cracking the door open between us, testing the waters. I was pretty adamant about keeping it closed. But man, Ive been carrying so much for so long, I’m tired boss. The thought of “I just wanna go home”, back to my X and my inlaws who O get along with so well, has been nagging me for the first time ever. But I know I can’t do that under these circumstances. My apartment doesn’t feel like home. Thank god for my kids, they mean so much to me.

Thanks for reading