I think "happy" is a moving target for many. The recession is still fairly new to us, and I think that as we've been forced to downsize -- both our lives and our expectations -- we've also realized what we really can't live without.
We can live without the McMansion, but not without each other. We can live without fancy restaurants, but not without dinner of some sort on the table. We can live without new clothes, but not without some hope for the future.
These rediscoveries are vital, and Susan, I agree with you that they will stay with us long after this recession has ended. But I also wonder how they will be affected depending on how long the recession goes.
People without jobs, for instance, can really only sustain their self-esteem for so long before they start to break down, mentally and physically. They lose their self-definition. People without homes in the short-term may be able to battle back, but those who have been homeless for a long time have much longer odds; they almost become invisible in a way, both to themselves and to the world.
It seems to me that in addition to the basic needs of family, food and shelter, we also have an abiding need to be a functioning member of society. And the farther we get from that, the farther we get from being truly able to be happy. Even if our loved ones are safe and nearby.
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I think "happy" is a moving target for many. The recession is still fairly new to us, and I think that as we've been forced to downsize -- both our lives and our expectations -- we've also realized what we really can't live without.
We can live without the McMansion, but not without each other. We can live without fancy restaurants, but not without dinner of some sort on the table. We can live without new clothes, but not without some hope for the future.
These rediscoveries are vital, and Susan, I agree with you that they will stay with us long after this recession has ended. But I also wonder how they will be affected depending on how long the recession goes.
People without jobs, for instance, can really only sustain their self-esteem for so long before they start to break down, mentally and physically. They lose their self-definition. People without homes in the short-term may be able to battle back, but those who have been homeless for a long time have much longer odds; they almost become invisible in a way, both to themselves and to the world.
It seems to me that in addition to the basic needs of family, food and shelter, we also have an abiding need to be a functioning member of society. And the farther we get from that, the farther we get from being truly able to be happy. Even if our loved ones are safe and nearby.
November 24, 2009 - 8:37amThis Comment
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