Update: August 2020
I’ve tried writing something so many times, but I ended up stuck every single time. What am I supposed to say?
When 2020 started everyone had high hopes. 2019 was a thing and we were looking for the new year to be a more positive time. Cue 2020 laughing maniacally at our naivety.
I started 2020 not in the best state with everything that was going on, but I was hopeful that everything would calm down as the months went on. Morbidly hilarious to think about now. More things have happened and life has shown no interest in calming down. I even figured that once I was on medical leave in March, I would write more since I wasn’t working. Well, that didn’t work out either.
Since my last update, quite a few things have happened. COVID has gone rampant in the US. Black Lives Matter happened and then got quieter as people felt it was too much emotional work for them. My aunt died of COVID. I started antidepressants. My mother-in-law was laid off from her job and my father-in-law relapsed & is going to AA meetings. Hell, just last week, I learned that my uncle has COVID (this is after his fiance just got out of the hospital due to COVID). And these are just the “highlights”.
To say that this year has been a shit show is an understatement of the highest order. Due to that, I’ve felt very uncomfortable talking about money and financial independence. It may just be me, but it seems like a really shitty time to be talking about money when 51 million people are unemployed in the US (although some reports say it’s nearly half the population of the country), hundreds of thousands of people are dying from COVID, the government is kidnapping people off the streets, black people are being lynched across the country, and we are sending kids to school during a fucking pandemic.
I’ve said as much on Twitter:
This and the fact that I did not have the mental capacity to write anything until this point. Some days you feel okay and others it’s all you can do to get out of bed. Hell, I have been writing this post in little pieces since March.
So, it puts me in an interesting spot with FOGA since this is all about a financial independence journey. Some people have been doing a great job still posting and taking into account ALL the changes that 2020 has brought (seriously, check out Tread Lightly, Retire Early). Others are being complete dicks and pretending that nothing has changed.
The thing is that I enjoy talking about some of this stuff, but in no way do I want to come across as an insensitive asshole. Especially with everything that is going on for everyone.
So, you may see more of me or it may be quiet here. Time will tell. It was definitely time for an update though. I’m alive and moving forward. All we can do, right?
How’s 2020 treating you guys?
I keep writing to keep some kind of tabs on this year, because I have had too many lost years in my past due to stress and hardship, but it’s definitely nothing like business as usual. I don’t understand people still acting like they’re completely untouched by this, except those are the people who ARE untouched and also completely lack empathy.
I won’t pretend I’m doing a great job but I’m just trying to be consistent and address all the things weighing down our hearts during this most difficult time in history.
Sorry for the late reply. Yeah. I work with a lot of the “lacking empathy” types. It’s been a challenge to stay employed and not just saying exactly what I am thinking.
We’re all doing the best we can. I hope things are going okay for you.
It is indeed a crazy time. So sorry for your loss. We were travelling ok here then the second wave hit our city and state harder than the rest of the country. And now we have a night curfew, must stay within 5km of our home, only one person per household can be out shopping for food. Because I can’t work from home, I must carry a work permit in case the police stops me on the way to or from work. This second wave seems a lot harder for us all to cope with. At my work, we are taking turns to take annual leave and just have some down time at home and have break from serving the public.
Take care and stay safe
Sorry for the late reply. Wow. That’s a stricter lockdown than we ever had here. Wish we would have done that from the beginning. I got the work permit letter too but never had to use it. The annual leave sounds like a good idea. Glad they are letting you alternate leave. Hope everything is going okay for you and you’re staying safe.
I’m so sorry to hear about your aunt. I’ve had some ups and downs especially dealing with my mom’s medical issues. I am thankful I was able to do work from home for a good, good while. Then I moved to doing 8 hours a week, working the Libraries’ curbside service. This week I’ve been working like crazy getting the Library back to opening next week. One thing this pandemic and all of the craziness has done is allow me to really take stock of my finances. I’m doing better with saving and cutting down on my spending. I’m trying to keep it going while staying safe and avoiding the stupid and reckless. Love ya!
Sorry for the late reply. Glad you were able to do work from home and that your finances are improving. Hope your mom is doing okay. Stay safe!