Quote from Niles in Good Grief
Martin: Well, it's about Frasier. Ever since he got fired, he's been so weird. All these projects he's got going on. Niles: Don't worry, it's normal. He's simply in a state of denial. Martin: Denial about what? Niles: About getting fired. People like Frasier's whole identities revolve around their job. The loss of the job is like a... is like a death. And they cope with it in the same way they would cope with a death, by going through a series of stages. First one's denial; usually that's followed by anger. Frasier: [emerging from the kitchen] I've done it! Escoffier's most difficult dish done to tangy perfection! You know, sometimes I think I missed my calling by not becoming a gourmet chef. Niles: See we're still in stage one.