The age of austerity

If you are 40 something like me, our parents lived through it. They don't talk about it much. They grew up after a world war, rationing was common. My Dad born during the Blitz in London, shoveled horse manure as a child to earn money. I reflect on this alot. My grandfather believed oranges were literally nectar of the gods! 

I digress

My mum told me about the time when she was bringing up my brothers in the early 70s. The 'winter of discontent', meant she went out to work in the evening (whilst caring for her 2 small children during the day). These adult education classes were in art and ceramics and conducted in candlelit. She said it was challenging but there was an acceptance. An acceptance that perhaps their generation has grown up in. 

There was not enough money for lighting. We can keep the lights on. 

It's the first time in my generation that I have really worried about money. I mean, I cannot pay the bills. It's scary as we now have 4 kids, a house, one car and I literally cannot breathe. 

Everything is relative and I am not trying to understand everyone's struggles and challenges but at the same time, we are all humans in this world trying to do best for our children. We try to make a living, put good food on the table and a warm bed at night. 

|Right now this is not possible for alot of people. 

Sometimes I read social media message boards about going away on holiday, to DisneyLand, to New York or Paris and I filled with frustration, sadness and anger. At the same time though I am filled with a fighting spirit. Should I take the car today to get the kids? No, I take the bike. Are my children affected by all of this? Yes. There are no new winter coats this year, no trips to the city, no new shoes. We wear what we have. We made do and mend and cook and try and save the god damn money. 

Are my children really affected though? No. We have cosy autumn times, playing, eating dinner, watching trashy TV (my kids think I am obsessed with cooking and travel shows......go figure?!). They are loved, they are happy, we are healthy, they are happy. They get to go to nursery, kindergarten, and school. We have that amazing advantage. 

There is no silver lining to this post or situation. There is no 'making the best of it'. This is our struggle. We had corona. That's a subject for another day. Let's not underestimate that giant mega humanitarian challenge. Now we are thrust into a new one. 

Putin-you fucker. 

To have have any words of wisdom? Not really. I am no expert. Read, listen, be there. Everyone is struggling. Take a moment to smile and talk to someone. From someone on the receiving end of that, it literally makes your day. 

Dark thought for the day: Maybe we should just do a 'fake' armed robbery, or generally some non violent crime which will get us in jail to live off the state and not pay bills and study? Just a thought. Dark I know. 

Did I mention how I tried to convince my 7 year old son to become a child movie star? No? Well I did. I might have told him on the Tesla angle. 

Elon Musk is a twat. A right royal too rich twat. 

My son is awesome though. He will will 'actually' save the world and do some fucking good. 

Peace and love 

TK x