As much as I’ve been self-reflecting and hyper-focused on my own problems lately, it has kind of been a blessing to shield myself from the chaos in the world that is largely influenced by the individuals running (and, to a certain degree, not running) my country.
For that I just want to say:
I’m sorry. Life is a lot right now. For everyone. And not in a good way.
To make matters worse, it’s a lot in a way that openly and unapologetically transcends politics, economy, geography. All manner of demographics. Where we are today is going to have lasting ripple effects that will ultimately reach all people. I guarantee it.
I’ve seen more “Open to Work” posts on LinkedIn at one time than I’ve ever seen before. Mostly written by federal workers.
I’ve seen too many statements from nonprofits that are furloughing staff or closing entirely due to their reliance on federal funding that is being withheld or cut off completely.
Maybe it’s my youth (pfft I’m 39 rofl), or my recent, increased proximity to the social services sector. Or the (somehow unreasonable, unfounded???) fear that my grandmother who is in her mid-80s is going to stop receiving her social security or Medicare benefits. Maybe it’s always been like this or it was like this back in 1910 or 1957 or something and so it’ll all be just fine. “We’ve lived through and survived worse.”
Life is a lot right now for everyone.
The good I am seeing?
The hypothetical person next to me, who I would never relate to in a million other timelines, is making the same realization as me and alongside me. Who is feeling compelled to make the same difference. Who wants better, because this moment effects EVERYONE. If not now, then soon. Within my lifetime. Maybe by mid-term election season.
People are connecting over this. They’re uniting for action. Wasn’t that how America was conceptualized anyway?
…Should we self-drive some tessies into Boston Harbor?
(Ok seriously just kidding, someone somewhere is probably already planning this, so if you are working for the FBI investigating this post a few months later — assuming there still is an FBI in a few months — I AM NOT INVOLVED.)
Life is a lot right now for everyone.
I may just be too young.
Or isolated.
Or forgetful.
Or don’t see the bigger picture.
But I don’t know if I believe all that.
Life is hard. You are seen. You are cared and prayed for. The grief, the anxiety, the fear of the future…it’s all known.
And not by just me; it’s least of all, in fact, by me.
musings of an everywoman 