How do people actually deal with layoffs?

Just be confident on your work and skills. Finding another job won't be so tough then

We suffer more in imagination.

I’ve not heard Cred laying of that much Why this fear? Are you sure you’re not overthinking it

Make sure you have 6 months of runway + spend a few hours each week polishing your interviewing skills.

I panic attacked like this. Went through therapy. And I am looking for a stable job(a myth).

Let me tell you my honest opinion, layoff can happen to anyone anytime that i have accepted as harsh truth in my corporate life. So here what i have done. 1. First thing if such thing comes probably your family will have bigger impact, so i had honest conversation about this to each my family members and even my spouse (recently married). The reason of doing this there shouldn’t be shock to anyone if such things happens. Now all believe in IT anything is possible, so tomorrow something happens they will be my moral supporter and will not let me down. 2. I have well planned my finance in last 2 years , have invested in different assets class. Assuming if someday i lose job , even next job i will find in 6 months will not impact me much. Which i am damn sure, 6 months would enough to get me decent job( 6 months as i believe i am quite good CTC range so will not have many opportunities) YOE 8 3. And most important, i do read up a lot, always active on what going on around AI , alawa ya seeking how i can i AI wherever possible and up-skill myself. Even looking for opportunities in my current role to work on AI related stuff, basically becoming market ready. 4. actual job interviews just to be aware of market trend, honestly not gonna join them (currently not doing but soon will start doing )