Why I Hate the "New Normal"
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Hate is a Strong Word
I know what you are thinking, "Hate is such a strong word." Sure it is. Maybe not strong enough for what I am feeling. I know you've heard the term: the new normal. This is our economy now. We are not just experiencing a recession. We are being told we will never get back to what we were before. I've even heard some people say they are pleased.
WHAT?
It is great to accept things we can't change. I know. Good for you. Roll over and don't fight. I, for one, am tired of the new normal. Sure, you could say I was shallow or materialistic. It is nothing I haven't heard before. But I have the nerve to be honest about it: I loved it!
Go ahead and admit it. It was fun! Shopping and spending and living beyond our means. Good stuff while it lasted. The funny thing is, in the back of my head I kept thinking, "How am I going to pay this back? Isn't this all going to come crashing down on me and everyone else soon? Nah, can't be. If that were so, how come no one else is talking about this?" But of course, now it is all we can talk about.
What I Miss Most
You know what I really miss? I miss being able to go out on a Friday night and not worry so much about money. I miss shopping with my friends. I miss buying groceries I actually want to eat. I miss looking at the employment ads and seeing an abundance of opportunities. I know it does not do any good to dwell, but aren't we all allowed to look back every now and then?
Do you know what I do for fun now? I clip coupons and look for sales. I roam around my apartment looking for things I can sell. I call Comcast or Verizon, and try to strike up a deal so I can maybe save a few bucks. I go around my apartment unplugging things so I can save a dollar or two on the electric bill. I wear a couple of layers of clothes, and walk around with cold hands, and sit on a cold toilet seat in the bathroom just so I can save money on heat. I prioritize which bills get paid and in which order. Sometimes food is just not a priority. I can't help but hate the new normal.
At least I have a job. I am one of the lucky ones. Sometimes I just don't feel that lucky. Sometimes I work two jobs just to get by. For some reason, I just don't feel lucky about that.
So Where Do We Go Now?
I wish I could say something brilliant and insightful right now, but I don't have any real answers. I know as a nation we relied on credit cards and loans too much. Everyone got used to having whatever they wanted and getting it instantly. We do need to rethink that. I, for one, realize I made some mistakes financially. I am paying for those mistakes now and maybe I deserve it. I am just looking for the light at the end of the tunnel now.
For now, we need to pull together. Companies need to start hiring again and make that a priority. But as for the population, we also need to become more creative with our money and money-making strategies. If you are reading this right now, you are probably on Hubpages and trying to make money online. Good for you! We all need to think of alternatives to regular work. I've stopped listening to what people say is supposed to be "normal" work. This is the "new normal" so if we are going to rewrite the rules, let's give ourselves some perks, shall we? It's time to stop relying on a full-time job and it's time to do what we really want in life. I mean, if this is rock bottom (and it sure feels that way) we have nowhere to go but up, right?
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Thank you for the comment! I get so frustrated with the economy now. It's the little things I miss the most. I appreciate what I have, but I miss the extra dessert here and there, or one of those fancy coffee drinks when I go out.
Before reading this hub, I hadn't heard of the term "New Normal". This recession is nothing more than an open door to depression like the world experienced in the 1930's. I think this recession is preventable. This idea may sound crazy but I think getting ot of our current recession simply means that world leaders agree to lower costs for everything. Lowered costs, means more money can be spent, the more money that can be spent, means more revenue, more productivity, more jobs. I'm so sickened by this economy that I am convinced we are headed for a depression, and WILL be eating "Soylent Green" by the year 2022!
This economy is really depressing. Aside from lowered costs, businesses need some type of incentive to create new jobs. Perhaps a big tax break or just a little bribe from the government. Right now, so many businesses are not running well because they need to hire more people, but they are afraid to do so. They need a push. They need more people so their company will run smoothly; unemployed folks need new jobs. The more jobs, the more spending. Sigh. Maybe I really should have run for president.
Thanks for reading and thanks for the comment!
You and I are on the same wavelength here. I used to be able to go out and do whatever I wanted to do, and now I have to be more mindful of my spending habits.
When i think about, I probably should have been more frugal all along.... but this is just too much.
This is a really great hub. I particularly agree with you about the fact that we need to start doing what we really love.
Voted Up and Interesting.
Thanks, Rachelle. I know what you mean... there are times now when I wish I had saved more and spent less back when the economy is better. Of course, who knew it would be this bad and stay this way for so long? I sure hope everything improves soon.
Things will definitely get better, and there will be a new, new normal. But hopefully we will be smarter, and save some money for the hard times. And the benefits of our current normal is that we take the time to clip the coupons, unplug our appliances, negotiate with our carriers, and write on HubPages. Hopefully we will remember.
Yes, I know what you mean. With technology being the way it is, we have changed and there is no going back. I feel bad for the people who had jobs that will never exist again. One day, it will all get better again. I suppose I will approach spending in a wiser way; hopefully, everyone will do the same. Thanks for reading my hub!
Oh, the things that I have given up that most people wouldn't even think twice about doing every day. Food I actually enjoy eating, indeed. I seem to focus on things that I know my cat will like to eat too as she likes to check out my plate for leftovers when I eat meat. Otherwise, I consider meat too expensive.
I know exactly what you mean. I was just looking at shrimp last night at the grocery store, but no, not in the budget. So, now shrimp for me again. If I ever win the lottery, I will eat lots and lots of shrimp. I won't even wait for sales. :-) Thanks for dropping by!
Great article, jeannie. Voted up and awesome. The "New Normal" is what they want you to buy into to lower your expectations, to accept what they throw at you, to expect less. Confound them by buying less of their stuff (should be easy, right?), but look out for yourself and think outside the box (as they like to say). Sorry, had to throw my 2 cents in.
I know exactly what you mean! The New Normal means accepting what was once unacceptable. I keep hoping I will be successful enough writing online to walk away from the rat race one day. I am just not there yet. At least I can say I've been buying less stuff anyway... I've had no other choice. Stupid New Normal! Thanks for your two cents. Hey, if it were real money, I couldn't even refuse it... I am that broke. ;-) Seriously though, thanks for the comment.
pinkydoo 13 months ago
Wow! I could not have said this better! I have bags in the garage of "stuff to possibly sell on Ebay," and I just bought new Spring clothes at the Salvation Army. Whoopee!