In this economy? YES IN THIS FKN ECONOMY

For the past few months, I’ve been awaiting a new job where I’ll start making “big girl” money for the first time. In December I finished my undergrad, and have been serving in the meantime. The theme of this in-between time for me is a low bank account and a lot of free time. A recipe for disaster for any antsy, creative, twenty year old, but a common tale, at that. My time in limbo is nearing its end, but this quarantine-esque time in which I’ve spent a lot of time, alone and at home, has been a mentally successful one. With eyes bigger than my bank account and taste bigger than both, the boredom and time to think, can be destructive for a person with their toes in the puddles of many interests. I used to be so good at having free-time as a kid and I’ve channeled this in order to not go stir-crazy. Something about sitting on your bedroom floor, having a movie marathon on your laptop, while doing some random creative project, makes me feel very rejuvenated, productive, and full. I go to bed, and I’ve ‘done’ something that day, just because I wanted to. But “doing” has become a verb that indicates exhaustion more than it does excitement for people my age…

During my hibernation I often scroll social media to spark something; something to do, maybe something to get into. But time and time again, I hear and see this buzzy phrase online – buzzy in the sense of popularity but equally in the sense of annoyance. As I lay in bed at 6pm, no daily schedule to follow, I see a video of a girl showing her OOTD. She’s very ‘60’s Twiggy’ with her accessories and ‘90s Rachel Greene’ with her hair. The text on the screen says “this is the year of cool.” Okay, chic, I think. What’s the top comment? It’s so common and jarring; like a simple riddle whose answer you’ll know when you know. It says: 

“In this economy?”

 It has hundreds of likes. It’s one of those internet-jargon sayings that are sure to be the top comment as long as you say it first. And I think, okay typical, whatever. But then I think, all she said was she’s going to be cool this year? What does the economy have to do with cool?

First of all, I understand where this phrase comes from, why it’s become so popular. I also understand that it’s the type of comment you’ll find on social media where it’s witty but packs some meaning–it’s best the first time you see it–like many trends. When people say, in this economy?, they’re suggesting that the state of the economy is too negative to take part in a certain task. Sure, Erewhon, Sweat and Tonic, ten-step skincare routines, can all be followed by an amusing, realistic nudge at failing systems, but why, oh why, are we allowing it to hinder the things that can, and have, historically “made do” ??

Fashion’s biggest shift, way back when, was when fashion began to trickle up instead of down. Gone were the days of untouchable aristocratic adornment being all the rage, somewhere along the lines “cool” became the height of society. It wasn’t until somewhere between the 50s and 70s that this shift in diffusion was acknowledged. The white t-shirt and jeans were borrowed from the industrial class and never went back. And since then, in any art form, you can find the rich cosplaying the poor without any of the hard realities. Something about the Hadid’s on their horse farm in Pennsylvania makes me laugh, it’s very “Pilgrim Kim K” in that one photoshoot.

 Deep creative expression coming from the lower class spans every art form. The irony, of course, being that the creative industries are easier to pursue when you’re backed by financial stability, while the best work comes from those who have an authentic understanding of constriction and “real life.” To say that “cool” can’t transpire in times of struggle, only speaks to your own lack of inspiration.

 A few years ago, when talking “boy-drama” with Liam, I would be known to say, “he’s just dumb.” as an overarching excuse for bad male behaviour. But Liam stopped me from the get-go, telling me not to justify real issues with such an easy defence. They’re not dumb, insensitive maybe, but they’re running entire political systems – let’s not discredit them while simultaneously solidifying my own suppression. Excuses, excuses, excuses. They get women nowhere. They get people nowhere. And they definitely get art nowhere. “It’s too expensive to go out” is used so often as an excuse not to socialize. Loneliness is quoted as being an “urgent public health issue.” Socializing is a life requirement, everyone wants to live like Carrie Bradshaw but nobody wants to prioritize their friendships. The options aren’t go to the club or hibernate, a middle ground exists, find it for yourself! “Hobbies are for the rich.” Oh my god, don’t make me laugh. You’re cutting yourself, and your life expectancy short!

So when I see this video of this girl claiming a year filled with ease and style, I can accept that there will be people who find themselves in perpetual negative thought-cycles on the internet. I just fear that they become too normal, too expected of everyone. Let us refuse to let the 1% be the only ones with any sprinkle of expression. We can’t allow for the leisure class to decorate society with cyber trucks and modernism, I will not be visually assaulted by the groutfits of society any longer. Because you can live your life with inspiration and creativity while still remaining informed about oppressive systems! Keep writing and dancing and hosting parties, for the sake of the world.

- Gill