@jbminn There's a reason employees are called "human resources." People should definitely never take it personally, especially when you find out via email :(. Use it as an opportunity to re-evaluate and move forward.

@EdGrosvenor Great advice! After working through the 2000 dot-com bubble and the 2008 recession, downturns are also great opportunities to slow down a bit, learn new things, test ideas, and establish the foundations of something great.