The 5 Stages Of Recession Acceptance.
This photo, taken during the Great Depression appears to reflect the same conflicting reports we are hearing today regarding our current financial situation. People are waiting on a breadline for food while standing under a billboard touting America's high standard of living. This general mis-conception has led me to conclude that we have just recently completed the 5 stages necessary to finally accept that yes, indeed, we are in a recession. Right now. Today.
Stage 1: Shock. Just a scant few months ago, most financial experts were telling us that the economy was strong, two quarters of falling GDP had to be clocked before any hint of a recession could even be discussed. Talk of a recession was dismissed.
Stage 2: Denial. These same financial experts were now scoffing that the 'sky was not falling', the subprime mortgage meltdown was just a flesh wound, consumer confidence was high, everyone was out shopping.
Stage 3: Bargaining. People voluntarily started cutting back and through the process of elimination and scale-backs were able to make payments, alter their job expectations, lower their standard of living and carry on as before.
Stage 4. Anger. The slow realization that food and energy prices had risen to unsustainable levels, that job security was unclear, making ends meet had now become difficult for most (if not impossible) value of the dollar declined, house prices deflated, scant credit lines and fear of bank failures caused many people to enrage, infuriate and exasperate till finally, the last and final stage has been reached.
Stage 5. Ultimate Acceptance. The economy has slowed to a halt, the layoffs have begun, no one is buying anything, living within ones means is no longer a choice (it is a necessity for survival now) high prices for gas, energy and food are the new reality with no end in sight, socio economic-status now includes the haves, the have-nots and the have-less. People have resolved themselves that they are living in a new society and the current situation is permanent. People have accepted their fate.
I have just entered Stage 5. I have finally accepted the fact that my frugal style of living, which I used to blatantly find joy and comfort in, has now become the norm. What used to be considered creative abnormal before ($5 haircuts, cooking from scratch, wearing $15 dresses, buying day-old bread and produce, driving fuel efficient econo-boxes) is now considered the essential normal today. I find this discomforting but I have accepted it nonetheless.
There is a 6th stage but it may not apply to everyone. That stage is depression. I am somewhat saddened over all of this because the forced acceptance of this new style of living in the US has taken away my joy. I find there is no more joy in baking bread or pizza from scratch because now it is the way I can only do it. I have no choice anymore. My joy in home ownership is questioned. My joy in working less has been replaced with guilt over working less. I find I have absolutely no faith or belief in anything anymore because there is no stability or security in anything. Even an FDIC bank account, a solid rock, lies down in fear of toppling.
Which brings me to a statement that I heard many, many years ago during the recession of the late 1980's. It was the same type of housing crisis we face today, same job loss, energy and food shortages. It was the same sensation of feeling insecure in a sea of uncertainty. I heard a preacher say that there is only one true security in life and that was God and Jesus Christ. God is constant. God is forever. God will never fail you. God will always be there for you today, tomorrow and forever. There was security in Jesus Christ. That preacher was right then and his words are right today. There is no security in money and worldly possessions. There is only security in God and Jesus Christ. It may sound corny, but I think I am going to hold onto that belief, because lately, it's the only thing that makes sense anymore.
And so it goes.
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8 comments:
Perhaps you are focusing too much on all the negative. Why on earth would you feel less joy making pizza or bread than you used to just because it's cost effective? You once posted a very inspiring piece on making your own pizza-Why make that a bad thing now?
Christina-I think it has to do with that before I CHOSE to make pizza by hand. Now, if I want it, I HAVE TO make it by hand. There is no more voluntary choice. What used to be special and different, now has become mandatory. Doesn't make the pizza taste any different. I used to cherish my individuality. Now, it is rote and mundane.
I think this has to do with the adjustment I am feeling as I plod thorough this new environment. Everything is changing and I had nothing to do with the change. It is being forced upon me through no fault of my own.
In 1987 and 2001, it was MY fault I suffered financial setbacks. I was heavy in debt, etc. Today, however, I am debt free, own my home and car, have 'safe' investments and am gainfully self-employed. I can't understand then why I must make any adjustments to my life. I used to make my own pizza to save money. Now, I must make my own pizza because the money has less value and I am hesitant to spend it.
Does what I say make any sense?
I understand exactly what you are saying. "Voluntary Simplicity' has now been replaced with 'Mandatory Simplicity'.
I'm not the only blogger who feels like this. Check out 'No Credit Needed' and read his frustration also:
http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/02/28/facing-the-frustrating-realities-with-which-we-must-deal/
Absolutely. I agree it's the fact that we are all forced to suddenly make hard decisions. DH and I are looking over our lives and seeing that we've got to hang on to our cars a lot longer than we probably should.
Before it was because there wasn't a need to get a newer car. Now the need is we have higher fixed costs and less disposable income. Solely due to the fact our income is NOT keeping up with inflation. I'm sure Cinzea and MANY others feel the same.
But I'm STILL thrilled to have a job!
I know things are bad right now and we're all feeling scared as a result. We should be; it's truly frightening. However, I think it's really important to look a little harder at what you do have (besides your religious faith). Love, family, a warm bed at night, financial security. Unlike many of us, you need to make very few changes to survive this recession. You are lucky.
I think you should play my "what if" game. It always helps me. What if you lived in mainland China, Darfur, India, Iraq? I know I've mentioned that my (Jewish) dad grew up in Nazi Germany. I could tell you a few stories that would make you thankful for everything you have! The truth is, our concerns/dilemmas would be considered luxurious to most people on this planet.
The truth is, you are truly blessed. I think you need to remind yourself of that.
Jaye-you are absolutely correct. I am the one who is always telling people to look at what you DO have and not at what you DON'T have. But I am still frightened. Not only for myself but for others. It is too difficult to consider myself lucky when so many others are hurting. I also know from experience that anyone can be wiped out in an instant so, I don't take anything for granted.
This post was just a rant. I'm feeling better about everything today.
I want to concentrate on helping others now and forget about myself.
Some lucky financial breaks have kept us solvent and able to care for ourselves and our loved ones. The sources of income we had in the last three years have suddenly diminished or dried up,however, but we antipated that. My husband just got Medicare and will soon be getting Social Security. The problem for Boomers is that they still have to pay high medical costs and have to wait longer for SS.
We have not had to cut back, but we have always been ridiculously frugal, at least on the home front in Hawaii. When we put in the solar hot water and electricity it seemed extravagant, but our energy bills, including gas for the (1) car and the gas stove is about $60 a month. Our "lifestyle" in Seattle is another matter: very energy consuming and expensive for those three months or so we spend there, but we can cut that back as necessary and still get by. And we're fixing up a vacation rental next door which should be a good source of income.
On a different note: I am glad you have your faith to sustain you. It is sad, though, to think of how so many good people who have always done the right thing are having to struggle so hard now.
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