Monday 12 August 2019

Hoping for the best while preparing for the worst.

Racing towards an unknown future is, frankly, terrifying. And yet it is being forced upon a whole nation thanks to its leaders and a 3.5% majority . 

The future is always obscure, but at least it was that little bit more predictable. The economy was stable. Businesses were willing to invest. Spending was always on the increase. 

Brexit has changed that.

Yes, the planet will keep on spinning. Yes, for many there might be hard times ahead but they'll get by. But what if you're like me? Renting a flat in an area where rent is too high for the average income. No savings. Low wages. Already in poverty. Already struggling. 

It scares me. 

We are doing what we can to prepare for the worst. And that doesn't have to mean Brexit. It can mean bad times ahead if one of us gets sick or injured so that we can't work. We are stocking up the cupboards with dried goods, and we're pickling and making jam from our allotment produce. But that won't pay the rent or the bills. 

This is what it is like to be a part of the working poor. 

We count ourselves lucky compared to others. We don't need much, and somehow we always get by. We buy pound books from the charity shop, and we do our best to be environmentally friendly. We budget and we have not gone hungry. It doesn't mean that we're not struggling.  

It was never supposed to be like this. This wasn't our dream. But this is where we are right now.

The wealthy don't understand how their political games affect those at the bottom. I don't think they actually care. So insignificant we must seem to them. 

We don't understand those who are like us but who are not doing anything to prepare. Family, friends who live all for the 'now' and don't put something aside for the future whether it is extra food or money if they have it. The ones who think everything will be OK because it has always been OK. 

Sometimes, things are not alright and sometimes there aren't happy endings. This isn't a movie. 

The question is, can we live hoping for the best while preparing for the worst? 

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