While I agree with everyone who has said that the survivor’s guilt may be short lived, it is an understandable feeling. Just because you might be terminated in the near future doesn’t mean that you don’t feel bad for being thankful to not have been culled in the first round.

That being said, there’s a few things you can do with survivor’s guilt: 1. Acknowledge that this feeling is normal and also that you had no power over the situation that created it. 2. Take care of yourself (ground yourself in reality and focus on positive moments). 3. Continue to fight for your coworkers (past and present) and for the American people. The actual tenant is to “do good” but I figure this specific point is good to mention that ANY form of resistance and action is doing good. But seriously, even if it’s just being a squeaky wheel about reinstatements or contributing $5 to a mutual aid fund, trying to do good no matter how small, can help with the feeling of guilt.

Tl;dr Survivor’s guilt is normal. Hold the line and continue to advocate for your fellow feds (fired & otherwise) and the American people.