February 17, 2009

What's your recession stress quotient?

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Seems like every week another friend tells me that their employer cut their hours or shrank their pay -- but not their workload. But it's not just staffers facing the tough cuts. Freelance budgets have been shrinking too. Just this morning a client informed me that the next article I write for them would be at a reduced rate, as they're tightening their outsourcing belt.

As a society, we talk a lot about cutting back on personal expenses to deal with lost wages. We gossip about jam-packed job fairs and jobs that attract hundreds upon hundreds of applicants. We give advice on consoling a laid-off friend, finding information on unemployment benefits, and getting help if we can't pay our rent or mortgage. And we grieve about the unthinkable tragedies that a job loss sometimes leads to.

Still, I don't think it's become 100 percent acceptable to acknowledge in mixed company that the fragile economy and terrible job market is scaring the bejesus out of us. It's one thing to admit to close friends and family that you're losing sleep over being on such shaky financial ground (if that's the case). But try talking about how the economy really makes you feel at a social gathering populated by acquaintances and strangers -- even if it is a potluck. Try bringing up your deepest, darkest fears on Facebook.

You'll find some frightened kindred spirits, sure. But you'll also find some folks with their head in the sand (or their hands on the world's largest rainy day fund) who insist that the recession is just another hyped-up media doom-and-gloom story that isn't really affecting anyone outside a couple of small working-class towns that no one's ever heard of. (I invite these naysayers to take a trip through my email inbox where dozens of readers have shared that they're this close to losing their homes in the wake of a layoff.)

I know President Obama signed the stimulus bill today, and I know I've devoted a couple of posts to suggesting people stay positive during the worst economic crisis since... oh, you know the rest. But today I'm feeling appreciative that USA Today recently ran an article and corresponding poll on how people really, truly feel about this recession. 

Call me an oversharer, but I think we're better off as a community when people can talk about their biggest, baddest financial fears with their peers. Who knows when a colleague or neighbor may offer a tip on saving a few extra bucks, a link to a helpful Web site, even a job lead. At the very least, we may come to realize that we're not alone in our current financial struggles.

So in the interest of oversharing, I'll go ahead and mention that according to the USA Today poll, I'm a prudent pessimist -- a saver who fears the financial worst. How about you?

Michelle Goodman is the author of "My So-Called Freelance Life" and "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide." E-mail Michelle at mgoodman@nwjobs.com

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1 Comments

Sharon Dunten on February 19, 2009 12:26 PM | Reply

How do people really feel about the recession? Thank you for addresses this concern in your USA Today article.

With all the news about the recession, there aren't many solutions being presented in the news or positive articles about what to do next if you lose your job or how to change your lifestyle if you lose your home or money.

So, two out-of-work journalists have created survivingtimes.com. Our mission is to support those who have lost their jobs, may lose their jobs and those who just fear the whole recession. We keep up with the recession news but report on how to cope or make changes while going through the recession or as a result of the recession.

With what I read every day on the Internet or in the news, it is not always easy to post something positive or supportive....but I try. From shooting wild game for dinner to watching every dollar...we are trying to help our readers find productive ways of coping....the whole, mind, body, spirit...thing.

Thanks Michelle!

Sharon

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