Tell HN: I was laid off from my job and I feel better than ever

I've been working at a company for a long time. It's grown from a startup into a big corporate company. I've managed to find my way inside the company, creating unique roles for myself and working on smaller growth initiatives. I've enjoyed the environment less and less as time has gone by, but I still felt there were valuable things I could do inside the company, especially with my knowledge as an early employee. Plus, they paid me well, the culture was mostly good, etc.

I recently got laid of which initially felt like a slap in the face. Once I caught my breath and started looking at options at other companies, I've realized how much more excited I am about joining a new small company than I am about anything I could have done at my old company.

I tried really hard to make myself happy the best I could inside that company, but it feels like a fresh of breath air realizing that my potential opportunities are much broader than that one company. It almost feels like Stockholm syndrome or something.

Anyway, I know I'm privileged to get laid off and be able to easily find a new job, but I just wanted to share in case anyone else is feeling the same way I was: trapped inside a company that I liked less and less over time.