Are you ready to upgrade your less than 1-year-old Macbook?

According to a new report from Mark Gurman‘s Power On newsletter for Bloomberg (via 9to5Mac), Apple is already preparing to launch its new M3 Apple Silicon Macs later this year. 

The planned launch, likely in October, for the new M3 Macs will come just around 4 months after Apple launched its latest M2 computer, the 15-inch MacBook Air. It’s also just around 9 months after Apple released its M2 line of MacBook Pro computers as well. The first line of M2 Macs, the first upgrade after Apple’s M1 Silicon chip debuted in November 2020, were released in June 2022 with a line of 13-inch MacBook Airs.

According to 9to5Mac, the M3 chip is expected to have “enhanced performance and efficiency” compared to the M2 model. The outlet says Apple will achieve this with a move to a new 3-nanometer silicon fabrication process.

Over the years, Apple has held an October event following its big September announcements, which are usually reserved for the latest iPhone releases. The follow-up event usually focuses on Apple’s line of desktop and laptop computers. 

It’s currently unclear exactly what date that the event will be or what Apple has planned for release. However, according to the report, a new M3 13-inch MacBook Air and new M3 MacBook Pro are likely announcements. 

Also, unlike its laptop models, the iMac has not seen an upgrade since April 2021 when Apple transitioned its all-on-one desktop line to the M1. It’s likely that the iMac will completely skip an M2 version and Apple will announce an M3 iMac at its upcoming event. Gurman also says it’s likely Apple will release a larger 30-inch iMac line later next year.

As 9to5Mac explains, one reason why the upcoming M3 announcements are so close to the recent M2 releases could be due to supply chain issues Apple was experiencing, which delayed the manufacturing of some M2 models.

Want to treat yourself or the kiddos to a brand-new Fitbit watch? We’ve rounded up the best deals on Fitbits at Amazon, most of which weren’t even this cheap during last week’s Prime Day!

Our top picks this week:

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Best fitness watch for the kids deal

Fitbit Ace 3
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$59 at Amazon
(save $20)

Get Deal

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Best fitness watch that doubles as jewelry deal

Fitbit Luxe
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$99.95 at Amazon
(save $30)

Get Deal

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Best Apple Watch alternative deal

Fitbit Sense 2
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$229.95 at Amazon
(save $70)

Get Deal

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Tracking your fitness journey and everyday health metrics can be simple if you have the right tools in place. One such tool is a smart fitness watch that can measure everything from heart rhythm to the amount you spend in each sleep stage. Fitbit — with its line of smart watch offerings — can do just that, and, for a limited time, you can save major $$$ on new Fitbit models that are selling for even cheaper than during Prime Day. Below, find our top picks for watches perfect for you or your children: because it’s never too early to start monitoring holistic wellness.

Best fitness watch for the kids deal

Why we like it

The Fitbit Ace 3 is an ideal activity tracker for kids ages six and older. It promotes healthy habits by rewarding your little ones with fun badges and letting them choose their own animated watch faces. Fitness, after all, doesn’t have to be a bore. The Ace 3 also cares for kids’ sleep quality through sleep tracking, bedtime reminders, and alarms. It’s water-resistant and has an eight-day battery life, meaning children can run around and play in the pool with the Ace 3 on — without worrying that it will die on them in the middle of the week.

Best fitness watch that doubles as jewelry deal

Why we like it

Who said fitness watches have to be bulky and unfashionable? The Fitbit Luxe certainly doesn’t subscribe to that theory — it’s slim, trendy, has a vibrant color display, and can thus double as a piece of jewelry (if jewelry could provide 24/7 heart rate tracking and breathing rate analytics). With the Luxe, you can also partake in on-wrist guided breathing sessions, which will be reflected in your Fitbit app’s Stress Management Score. Now’s the time to become your most active, healthiest self.

Best Apple Watch alternative deal

Why we like it

The Fitbit Sense 2 is the priciest of all of our “top picks,” but for good reason. It’s super-packed with features like guided mediations, the tracking of 10 key sleep metrics, atrial fibrillation assessments, a Daily Readiness Score that shows what level of workout you’re ready for on any given day, and much more. Whether you’re in the mood to bike, do Pilates, boost that heart rate with some HIIT, or simply stretch, the Sense 2 can accurately record over 40 different exercise modes. For the runners among us, it’s got a GPS that tracks real-time pace and distance outside.

More Fitbit deals

• Fitbit Inspire 3 — $79.95 $99.95 (save $20)

New week, new day, new Wordle! As always, we’re here with some tips and tricks to help you figure out the solution.

If you just want to be told the answer, you can jump to the end of this article for July 17’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you want to solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

Not the day you’re after? Here’s the Wordle answer for July 16.

What’s the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you like being strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though.

Why are there two different Wordle answers some days?

Though usually Wordle will only accept one correct solution per day, occasionally it will rebel against the norm and deem two different answers acceptable. This is due to changes the New York Times made to Wordle after it acquired the puzzle game.

The Times has since added its own updated word list, so this should happen even less frequently than before. To avoid any confusion, it’s a good idea to refresh your browser before getting stuck into a new puzzle.

Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:

Your house plants might do this when they need a certain something.

Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?

It does! And they’re together.

Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…

Today’s Wordle starts with the letter D.

What’s the answer to Wordle today?

Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to Wordle #758 is…

DROOP.

Don’t feel disheartened if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

After Elon Musk acquired Twitter, brought back many previously banned far-right users, and removed moderation policies, many users sought out an alternative.

And some found that alternative in Bluesky. Or so they thought.

Over the past week, Bluesky users have been protesting on the platform after a number of accounts using racial slurs in their usernames were discovered. The most prominent example of this was a user whose Bluesky handle was the n-word. In addition, the Bluesky community found that this was happening because the platform failed to block the ability for users to register such names. 

The first post in Bluesky’s public statement.
Credit: Mashable screenshot

According to the Bluesky team, they initially received reports about the account on Wednesday and removed it within 40 minutes. The team also said it patched the code that allowed these handles to be created within that timeframe as well.

Bluesky’s full public statement posted on its account.
Credit: Mashable screenshot

Bluesky also provided Mashable with a statement, similar to the one that was posted on the platform’s official Bluesky account.

“On Wednesday, users reported an account that had a slur as its handle. This handle was absolutely in violation of our community guidelines, and it was our mistake that allowed it to be created. Forty minutes after it was reported, our moderation team saw the report and took the account down. The code that allowed this to occur was patched the same evening, and the next day, we continued to work on a more comprehensive technical solution that uses a combination of banned words and human review upon account creation. We’re continuing to invest in moderation and support systems that scale with the number of people in the app to ensure a fast response time to future incidents.”

However, for Bluesky users, this puts a spotlight on a larger issue on the platform. 

Ominous clouds loom

Mashable spoke to Bluesky users via private messages and over the phone, as well as reviewed a number of public posts from members of the community. For many, the fact that these handles were allowed to be registered wasn’t the main issue. Many are aware that the platform will experience growing pains and mistakes will be made. The bigger issue was the response. And many, especially Bluesky’s Black users are feeling betrayed, especially when considering that some have spent time building the platform up in hopes that it would be different from Musk’s Twitter.

The public statement from Bluesky came early Saturday morning, long after the accounts were discovered. For days, the Bluesky user base demanded a response from the team concerning the broader policy and user safety issues. Furthermore, since the ability to create such usernames was patched, many Bluesky users were hoping for an apology, which they say was lacking from Bluesky’s statement.

“​​They fixed the technology issue but not the people issue,” one prominent Bluesky user shared with Mashable. The user, who asked for their identity be withheld from the piece, explained that the company seems to be lacking when it comes to human moderation, trust and safety policies, and communication.

“What’s disappointing is the response is how ‘Bluesky is in beta’ when beta is the perfect time for feedback,” one user explained.

Some users shared that while Bluesky has been responsive to many of various communities’ concerns, they are slower to respond when it comes to issues of anti-Blackness on the platform. The platform has struggled to respond to previous instances involving hate speech and harassment after a wave of newly registered users joined the invite-only platform in April. One user explained to Mashable that Bluesky “drags their feet” when it comes to racism on the platform.

“I want Bluesky to win,” the prominent Bluesky community member told Mashable. “Apologize and we move on.”

Blue skies ahead?

While Bluesky has remained silent on this request, one Bluesky team member, protocol engineer Bryan Newbold, has personally offered his regrets and has received praise from the community.

Many Bluesky users appreciated Bluesky developer Bryan Newbold’s post.
Credit: Mashable screenshot

“I have made decisions, and made mistakes,” Newbold posted on Bluesky. “Those have caused harm to real people, including Black folks, including really great+knowledgeable Black folks who supported Bluesky. I’m sorry. feel pretty bad about it. it sucks. re/earning their trust, and everybody else’s trust, will be hard.”

Bluesky, a “decentralized” microblogging alternative, quickly became the cream of the Twitter replacement crop. The platform seemingly provided marginalized users on other websites with a safer place to post and interact. While people of color and transgender users still make up a tiny overall percent of Bluesky’s user base, many have found a prominent voice on the platform and have already become an important part of the various bustling communities on Bluesky.

The temporary invite-only nature of Bluesky has certainly helped make it more welcoming for many users, as trolls, bigots, and bad actors are usually isolated by the broader Bluesky community through mass blocking, muting, and reporting. But, many Bluesky users see that the effectiveness of this method is short-lived as Bluesky grows, which is why these early moments, how they’re dealt with, and how the team responds, are so important to the platform’s users.

As the prominent Bluesky user put it, “Just say ‘sorry.'”

Twitter has launched yet another new feature in order to promote its fledgling paid subscription program, Twitter Blue.

And in doing so, Twitter has changed the settings of every user with open DMs, blocking non-Twitter Blue subscribers from messaging them.

Twitter turned your DMs into a Twitter Blue promo

On Friday, Twitter began rolling out a new settings option for direct messages on the platform. Previously Twitter users had two options. They could let everyone on the platform message them or only allow other users that they follow to message them. If the latter option was chosen, the DM button would only appear for those followed users.

This new third option, however, allows users to receive DMs only from users they follow and verified Twitter users. Perhaps, when the old verification system was active and verified users were made up of notable celebrities, pro athletes, and other media personalities, this feature could have been useful. However, on Elon Musk’s Twitter, this basically means anyone who pays $8 per month for Twitter Blue can now message a user.

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“Starting as soon as July 14th, we’re adding a new messages setting that should help reduce the number of spam messages in DMs,” Twitter announced on its official @TwitterSupport account. “With the new setting enabled, messages from users who you follow will arrive in your primary inbox, and messages from verified users who you don’t follow will be sent to your message request inbox.”

Some took this announcement as an admission from Twitter that even Twitter Blue users can spam even though Musk has promoted the paid subscription as the way for the company to curb such behavior. Twitter’s DM system provides users with two inboxes. A primary one, which is the main inbox, and a secondary message request inbox, which requires an additional click to get to. Most messages from individuals that a user does not know or follow go to that message request folder. However, that appears to be a misread of the announcement.

In fact, the new feature is intentionally set up in a way to promote Twitter Blue and urges users to sign up for it. With this option turned on, the DM message button still appears for all users. When a user who you are not following and isn’t subscribed to Twitter Blue attempts to message you, they receive a prompt urging them to subscribe to Twitter Blue.

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“Get verified to message this user,” reads the Twitter message. “Only verified users can send Direct Message requests to people that don’t follow them. Sign up for Twitter Blue to continue.”

Some Twitter users realized something had changed without seeing Twitter’s announcement as they noticed a decline in DMs.

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And to make this additional option even worse, Twitter went ahead and made it the default option for every user that previously had their settings set to allow DMs from all Twitter users.

“Users who previously had their permissions set to allow message requests from everyone will be migrated to this new setting, but can switch back at any time,” reads a tweet from @TwitterSupport. 

Essentially, with this change, Twitter turned every user’s direct messages into an ad for Twitter Blue.

You can change it back. Here’s how.

As Twitter said, it can be changed back. Unfortunately, a user does need to be aware that it was changed in the first place. But, if you’re here, reading this, that’s you. So, here’s how you can put the settings back and stop Twitter from advertising its paid subscription plan using your account.

Head to Direct Messages while logged into your Twitter account. On the web, it’s called “Messages” in the menu. It’s the envelope logo in the menu bar if you’re using Twitter’s mobile apps.

Click Messages to head to your DMs
Credit: Mashable screenshot

On the primary inbox page, there is a gear logo located in the upper right-hand corner. Click that to access your settings.

Head to DM Settings by clicking the gear icon.
Credit: DM Settings

Now, you can see the three messaging options provided to you by Twitter. Choose the one that best suits your needs. The “allow messages from Verified users only” option is the new one, that promotes Twitter Blue to people who try to message you.

Twitter has changed the default to the middle option. Choose the one you prefer.
Credit: Mashable screenshot

Some users are reporting that the settings don’t always save, so after making your changes, Mashable suggests leaving the DM settings page and then going back to make sure your changes were saved. 

TL;DR: As of July 16, you can get a lifetime subscription to Taskio: The Ultimate AI Productivity Tool for just $49.99 instead of $540 — a savings of 90%.

It didn’t take long for the number of AI tools to explode online. ChatGPT may have started a surge in popularity and functionality, but there’s a whole lot more to choose from. As nice as that can be, it can get a little overwhelming when you need one account to create an image, one to generate a headline, and one to write the outline of a blog post.

Instead, get it all done in one with Taskio. This all-in-one AI Productivity Tool can generate images, summarize text, create ad content, and more. Automate your tasks with one AI tool, and you only have to pay for it once while a lifetime subscription is on sale for just $49.99. 

A whole menu of AI tools all in one place

Taskio gives you a set of AI tools that could help you majorly streamline your work processes. Need to draft some copy for a landing page? Use the content generator to write the first pass. Social media needs a new header image? See what Taskio can throw together for you. Marketing professionals and business owners could even benefit from reducing the time it takes to write up a blog post or prep something for social media. 

You may even be able to automate some of your difficult tasks with Taskio AI tools. Drive more traffic to your posts with SEO content generation. Market to a wider audience with translations in a variety of languages. You can even generate your own subtitles for a video or transcribe your own spoken notes using speech to text. 

Save time with advanced AI tools 

Save time generating content, crafting visuals, translating text, and so much more.

Regularly priced at $540, score a lifetime subscription to Taskio: The Ultimate AI Productivity Tool on sale for $49.99. 

Prices subject to change.

TL;DR: As of July 16, you can get a one-time shipment of the Splash Wines Top 18 Wines Assortment for just $69.99 instead of $350 — that’s a savings of 80%.

Wine and summer go together like wine and cheese. Or wine and sad movies. Wine goes with a lot of things, but it also goes without saying that getting your same old store blend might not be as exciting as getting wine delivered right to your door. 

You don’t need a subscription to get a shipment of wine sent your way. Splash Wines has a sale going for an assortment of their top 18 wines, and they’re only $69.99 — which comes out to less than $4 per bottle. That’s the best price online, too. 

No recurring costs — just 18 bottles of red, white, and bubbly 

This one-time wine shipment includes white, red, and bubbly blends, but you don’t have to stick with that. You can select the mixed box or all-red and all-white wines. Enjoy a nice glass on your self-care Sunday. 

Just make sure the person who orders and the person who accepts the wine delivery are age 21 or older. And don’t forget to account for the cost of shipping, along with state and local taxes. Shipping is $39.95, but taxes vary from place to place. 

Raise a glass to a delicious wine delivery 

Splash Wines is a great way to get a bunch of wonderful wines delivered to your door. And if there are any you don’t like, you can arrange a store credit for the amount you paid for the bottle. 

Get the best price online when you order the Splash Wines Top 18 Wines Assortment on sale for just $69.99 (reg. $350). 

Prices subject to change.

TL;DR: As of July 16, you can get the ChargeUp 6-in-1 Wireless Charging Station with Watch Charger for just $59.99 instead of $99.99 — a savings of 40%.

Smart devices are great, but they also carry a lot of clutter with them. Families might end up with multiple cables at each outlet, different wireless chargers for phones, smartwatches, and earbuds. It just adds up very quickly. The same goes for individual users who like to keep connected with a variety of tech. 

Instead of committing to the cable clutter, get one charging station that can power six different devices in one place. The ChargeUp Six-in-One Wireless Charging Station can power phones, tablets, smartwatches, and more. Normally, one of these dense wireless charging stations would be $99.99, but you can get one for $59.99. 

One place to power your iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch, and iPad 

The ChargeUp has a unique design with four main places you can charge different devices. Of them all, the 360-degree rotatable charging stand may be what sets this charging station apart from the rest. Instead of connecting all the same cables to one tangled power station, prop your devices up on the rotating charger station with folding charger heads for Lightning, Micro-USB, and USB-C connectors. 

The wide base of the charging station is a temperature-controlled wireless charger you can use for your phone or other compatible device. The Apple Watch stand offers a safe, raised spot where your watch is still useful while it charges. All that’s left is a convenient spot to pop your AirPod case and wait for the whole lot to power up.

Get a charging station for 6 devices 

Charge up to six of your devices in the same place.

Get the ChargeUp 6-in-1 Wireless Charging Station with Watch Charger on sale for $59.99 (reg. $99.99). 

Prices subject to change. 

TL;DR: As of July 16, you can get the Alpha Z PRO 4K and the Flying Fox 4K Dual-Camera Drone for just $149.99 instead of $398 — a savings of 62%.

There’s more than one way to enjoy the summer. For your teenager, that might mean spending some quality time on their phone. For an outdoor enthusiast, it could mean exploring new hiking trails. And you might cover both bases with this two-pack of zippy 4K HD drones.

The Alpha Z Pro and Flying Fox are two fun ways to see the season from a new perspective, and you can get them both for a low price. These beginner-friendly drones have been marked down by 62%, and it might be high time you grabbed them for your favorite new pilots. 

Two drones for one low price 

The Alpha Z and Flying Fox are two fun ways for new pilots to explore the sky with a live HD view streamed directly to their phone. And they could make an awesome gift for a teenager or an adult who wants to capture amazing photos and videos from above. Both of these super-responsive quadcopters have controls for four channels of movement, so you can zip through the air up, down, and side to side. Novice flyers may benefit even more from the six-axis gyroscope that is designed to help keep the drone stable in the air. 

What sets these two drones apart are their color, flight time, and a few other fun features. The Alpha Z is sleek, black, and may stay airborne for up to nine minutes on a single charge. The Flying Fox has a clean silver look to it that might be easier to find at night, and it may fly for up to 12 minutes on a full battery. 

A fun gift for teens and adults 

Whether you’re getting ready for a camping trip or want to inspire your child to head outdoors, a pair of drones could be the way to go.

For a limited time, get the Alpha Z PRO 4K and the Flying Fox 4K Dual-Camera Drone on sale for $149.99 (reg. $398). 

Prices subject to change.

After I’d been laid off for the first time in my life, my dad tried to cheer me up by repurposing a tongue twister of a joke he would always use when people would overstay their welcome at our home.

“It’s better for them to miss you when you’re gone, rather than for them to miss when you were gone. Son, they clearly missed not having you around, and that’s why your job is gone.”

I had just been let go from a part-time role, and there was an air of shame and disappointment that hung over my head. My dad, with his old-school Jamaican sense of humor, tried to get me to laugh at the situation.

Spoiler alert: I did not laugh at that joke. I was in a rough emotional state for a few weeks.

It’s no secret that the tech industry has been going through a gigantic upheaval, challenged by factors including continued macroeconomic uncertainty, with tech companies resorting to layoffs to protect profit margins. 

Although the messaging around tech careers has taken an ominous tone over the past year, with LinkedIn feeds feeling like an endless rotation of people reminiscing or grieving their lost jobs, there’s solid reason to hope and strategize for a better future.

The emotional journey of being laid off

First, let’s acknowledge the giant elephant in the room: A layoff, no matter the circumstances, hits hard. However, that same disruption in employment can give you a prime opportunity to reassess your career and see who’s truly in your corner. The strength of your connections, both online and off, can be a catalyst for recovery.

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A layoff can trigger emotions like feeling betrayed, ambushed, and belittled. For many, the fear of financial ruin inches closer to becoming reality, and that only serves to heighten the already stressful emotional whirlwind. 

In my experience, a sudden bout with impostor syndrome is also all but inevitable as questions centered around your self-worth and identity begin to creep into your mind. Anxiety about the future, embarrassment, and even depression can also follow.

You might experience an existential question gnawing at you: “If I’m not my job, then who am I?” Then there’s anger, directed at the management, at the economy, or even at yourself for not seeing it coming — we tend to be the least kind to ourselves when we need it the most. 

However, remember that these feelings are normal and shared by many others going through the same turmoil. Here’s where the power of a supportive community comes into play.

“I don’t have problems; I have friends.”

Community: It’s a word that echoes throughout the tech world, feeling like a full-blown cliche at times. However, when you see a professional network put in effort to support one of its own, that’s where the true beauty of community shines, becoming the most apparent when we navigate hardships like a layoff. 

In the wake of a job loss, the comfort and encouragement from people who understand your journey can be invaluable. Beyond emotional support and advice, engaging in online communities such as LinkedIn groups, industry-specific forums, or even local meetup groups can significantly expand a network that can help you bounce back.

Keep in mind that fostering meaningful relationships is more than just attending networking events or exchanging LinkedIn profiles, it’s about genuine connections and shared experiences. The best way to create community is to find people who share the same genuine interests as you and identify other overlapping interests. I’ve been able to create some amazing working relationships by striking up conversations about anime, video games, and a plethora of non-work-related topics, which are so much easier to bond over than expense reports and company acquisitions. 

One of the best examples I’ve ever seen of a community coming together to support one of its own was in a Discord server for Black gamers I was a part of. After dealing with office politics and microaggressions, one of our community members found themselves unexpectedly let go from a job for which they’d recently relocated and signed a fresh lease for their apartment. The server’s entire community of more than 1,500 members got together for a job referral drive that successfully helped the person affected find a new job within a week.

How wild is that? Fired on a Friday but hired by the next Thursday? It’s almost unheard of, but it happens — people love to help out those they like, and you never know what kind of network a fellow community member has access to. 

Building community: Where to go and what to do 

You might be wondering, “Jobfather, that’s all well and good, but where can I even find these communities?” Don’t worry, I got you — and, yes, I was introduced to this list of nearly 140 online groups, forums, and industry-specific communities through online communities I belong to.

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Prioritizing the sincerity of friendship is the best way to have a relationship impact you in the professional sense. And, as you build these connections, actively participating in these community spaces allows you to showcase your skills, stay informed about industry trends, and demonstrate your value to potential employers. 

Sometimes participating means commenting on posts, making threads on relevant topics, or even collaborating with people in the community on different projects. This approach can be expanded to platforms like Discord, Slack, and LinkedIn, starting with searching for groups or communities that align with your interests and professional goals. Join relevant servers, channels, or groups, and introduce yourself to the community.

Keep an eye on the activity within a group, and engage in conversations with the most active members by sharing your insights and asking questions. Don’t hesitate to reach out through direct messages or connect requests, mentioning a common interest or shared experience as a conversation starter.

On platforms like Twitter, you can join relevant industry-specific conversations using hashtags or participate in Twitter chats to connect with professionals in your field. Twitter Spaces are among my favorite ways to find new communities as people connect through live audio conversations with transparency. Follow the people you find interesting, and engage with their tweets by liking, retweeting, and commenting thoughtfully. If a comment or thread from them resonates with you, consider chiming in and initiating a conversation. 

There are also new platforms where you really may be able to make your mark since they’re still in their infancy. Exploring emerging platforms like Spill, Mastodon, or Meta’s Threads can provide unique opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals seeking meaningful professional connections. 

Maybe this is petty, but I also like that there’s a bit of a counterculture in building and leveraging your own online communities. Not everyone has an Ivy League alumni network to fall back on, but you can build one just as effective by properly investing in your online relationships.

Reframing a setback as an opportunity

A layoff, as brutal as it may feel, also presents an opportunity to reevaluate your career trajectory. As a career coach, a best practice that I teach my clients is to engage with professional communities to remain aware of emerging industry trends and technologies and find ways to incorporate those into their current career strategy.

Leveraging a layoff can include using the additional time you have to upskill and become more literate in those trends. For instance, utilization of artificial intelligence has been a commanding headline in the tech world lately: AI this, AI that, you can’t go anywhere without someone bringing up the AI revolution. Having knowledge or skills in this area can provide a unique advantage by adding depth to your career path and enabling you to stand out in a crowded candidate pool. 

Another added benefit of having a deep community is access to a group of people who can act as a sounding board for new ideas while also being able to provide valuable, informed feedback. Exploring the diverse career paths and success stories within your network can ignite inspiration and open doors you might not have considered.

Your community becomes your personal and professional safety net, catching you when circumstances threaten to pull you down. It really adds perspective to the sentiment, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” a phrase that gets thrown around in job search conversations all the time for good reason. 

As we navigate the uncertain journey of layoffs, remember the power of community. It’s not just about drawing strength and insight from it; your experience can equally benefit others. Open doors where you can, make introductions, provide insights. Think of your own personal brand and how you’d like to be seen among your peers. There are a lot of benefits that come from being seen as someone who gives to enrich their community rather than focus exclusively on how they can get ahead. 

Find out about the different projects and initiatives people are working on, and try to find different ways your skills can help complement their vision and get them closer to their goals. You might be able to add another career success on your resume while also leaving a positive impact on someone and their perception of your skillset, which in turn gives further credibility to your personal brand. 

Facing a layoff is tough, but with the support of a strong community and always keeping your eye on career development, it can be an opportunity for growth and new beginnings.

Mashable columns reflect the opinions of their writers.