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People keeping saying things about folk having a whole lot of time now. But honestly? I’m still working 40+ hours a week. The only real change in terms of giving me time is that now I don’t deal with traffic. I don’t suddenly have unlimited time because I’m working remote.
Now, I’m better able to focus my energy in the areas it needs to be focused in. Like sleep. A nigga needed some damn rest.
But stress and fear and the volatility of our political circumstances and the financial insecurity we’re all experiencing? The loss of traditional therapy experiences and other mechanisms of self care and growth?
Not going to work doesn’t mean you’re suddenly ripe with time to pursue Fun and Interesting Pursuits
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="™️" title="Trade mark sign" aria-label="Emoji: Trade mark sign">.
I still have about 9 hrs of work and 8 hrs of sleep. The remaining 7 hours are dedicated to LITERALLY trying to survive what could be a full socioeconomic collapse with my mental and physical health in tact.
And now doing the basic everyday things that would have taken up that remaining time? They’re either impossible, incredibly dangerous, or much more difficult to complete safely.
That kind of rhetoric has been bothering me a lot. And I don’t even have kids. Which CERTAINLY exacerbates the difficulties people experience during this really odd and scary time.
Imagine being a single parent to a young child. You going to the grocery store with that baby? Fuck else you gone do? Can’t use Shipt or whatever. Can’t get fresh healthy foods in a lot of stores using pick up. If you’re even able to schedule a pick up.
What about if you’re an essential worker? Who’s taking care of your family while you’re gone? I don’t expect non-medical essential workers are suddenly full of free time either, so it’s not just medical staff that are in an awful space.
It’s just... that’s really been bothering me. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🥴" title="Woozy face" aria-label="Emoji: Woozy face">
I’ve been doing a lot of work on ensuring funding and access to childcare for essential workers. Pulling data. Trying to get a strong understanding of how many childcare workers, who often don’t have PTO anyway, are being impacted.
How many folks who received that pittance of funding from the state who now won’t even get that? Like. We don’t all magically have hours a day to do tumblr photos of bubble baths style self care. We just don’t.
Anyway. Do things that make you feel safe and happy. Talk to your loved ones. Stay your ass at home if you’re able. Tip your delivery people like crazy if you use them. Don’t feel compelled to suddenly start... learning mandarin or something if you’re not called to it.
Be patient and don’t feel forced to make the most of all this supposed time we’ve suddenly “received” in any way you aren’t called to.
And most of all, drink water and mind your business.
