I Lost My Job At the U.S. State Department

Losing Everything in One Policy Change

I spent years working for the U.S. State Department as a language instructor. It was my dream job. I loved teaching Bulgarian to American diplomats and being part of a community of smart, cultured, purpose-driven professionals. Then one policy change wiped everything out – my job, my income, my health insurance. Overnight, I was left unemployed, obese, chronically sick, and completely alone, with a mortgage I couldn’t pay and no one to call.

When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned

Sometimes we coast through life on autopilot: jobs, marriages, the occasional dinner out. We assume things are “normal” until suddenly they’re not. For me, everything that could go wrong, did. Twice divorced. No kids. A chronic illness caused by medical error that left me almost bed-ridden for three years. Five surgeries in a single year. Blood transfusions. Wheelchairs and walkers. And on top of it all, the weight gain that came as I fought simply to stay alive. If there’s one stable thing in my life, it’s this: I don’t give up.

Why My Job Meant So Much

During the pandemic, I was able to keep teaching virtually from home, and that’s something that probably saved me as much as it saved my paycheck. For years I thrived in this role, representing my language and culture while helping American diplomats prepare for their posts in Bulgaria. The State Department culture was unlike anything else I’d seen. People there worked to serve out of honor and purpose. That’s what I’ll miss most: being part of something bigger than myself.

An Immigrant Story

I came to the U.S. in 2002 through the green card lottery. I built my adult life here. And though I’ll never feel fully American (and no longer fully Bulgarian), this is my home. On the other hand, I do miss my family in Bulgaria and I’m seriously considering the option of relocating back home now and building an online business from there.

The Push Toward Something New

When the layoffs came earlier this year, panic took over me instantly. For weeks I couldn’t stop crying. I thought about how unstable traditional work really is, and how easily security can be ripped away. At the same time, I kept hearing about social media, especially TikTok. People had built entire businesses during the pandemic by simply sharing their stories and skills online. The idea of starting a social media presence had always tempted me, but I never acted on it. Until now.

My First Steps into Content Creation

I started experimenting with a newer app called Flip (which by the way, as of Aug, 2025 has now permanently shut down). At first, I was terrified of posting videos of myself. I felt extremely uncomfortable and embarrassed. But since no one I knew was on the platform, I finally mustered the courage to do so. Flip’s policy for profile verification forced me to show up every day, and over time I gained followers, encouragement, and even made some money. But here’s the thing – Flip wasn’t sustainable. It became too dependent on mutual engagement, so I quit a couple of months later. Nonetheless, what it ultimately taught me were two priceless lessons:

1. I love being in front of the camera.

2. I can build discipline and show up consistently if I avoid a burnout from endless engagement.

Why I Chose YouTube

I realized YouTube isn’t just another platform. It’s the “ivy league” of content creation: polished, professional, and future-proof. Unlike other platforms, YouTube lets you:

• Build both long and short content that lasts.

• Earn from videos months or years later.

• Sell digital products and create true passive income.

• Grow a real community, not just random followers.

Most importantly, it’s a place where I can turn this restart into something sustainable.

My Reasons for Starting A YouTube Channel

• I’m unemployed, and finding a traditional job in this highly competitive job market, along with my health issues and obesity restrictions, is almost close to impossible..

• My mobility is limited, and I need work I can do from home.

• I want to create something on my own that no boss can take away from me.

• I need stability, creativity, and freedom.

• I want to build a community of midlife women rebuilding their lives, so we can support each other in this process.

This Is Just the Beginning

I won’t sugarcoat it: every area of my life is crumbling. I’m unemployed, broke, obese, divorced, childless, and struggling with chronic illness. But I’m not going to give up. I will rebuild and reclaim my life. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to realize the only way left is up. That’s why I’m documenting this journey on my blog and on YouTube. Week by week, I’ll share my growth, my mistakes, my lessons learned. You’ll get tutorials, strategies, and behind-the-scenes. Additionally, you’ll find the encouragement to keep going, even when progress feels slow. We found each other for a reason. So if you’re ready to rebuild too, subscribe to my newsletter and to my YouTube channel (when it’s up and running), and let’s glow and grow together, anyway.

Subscribe to my newsletter

If my journey resonates with you and you'd like to hear more from me, sign up for my weekly newsletter.