Hooligan, I'm sorry for what happened. I, too once had to leave a job I was fantastic at and felt deeply connected to, suddenly and in such a manner that I didn't know if I would ever work in the field again. I got so depressed. So I sympathize so hard. I'm sure you didn't deserve that. It really is a matter of grieving.

Maybe you are not in a place where this is helpful, but on the chance that it will help at some point, I will say it . My takeaway from my experience was that it is *dangerous* to put so much of your identity and self worth into a job or even any single thing. Things like jobs can be lost at any time, and you're left missing a piece of yourself. You have to rebuild your sense of purpose and self, and that's nothing to sneeze at. So be gentle with yourself.

You are not a dumpster. People are never dumpsters. Whoever said that to you did something awful in saying that. And you are valuable just because you are you, not because of what you do.

Maybe this is helpful, maybe not, but it's never a waste of time to offer words of support no matter the situation. I wish you the best.