It’s hard to wrap my head around what’s been happening in the world. This is something we’ll be sharing with younger generations, reading in textbooks, and seeing in the news for the foreseeable future. I realized about this time last week that what we’re seeing happen first hand is a big f*cking deal. 

This time last week I was going back and forth on my trip to Paris for the end of March. Should we cancel just in case? Will we get refunds? I also booked a last minute flight to Miami in light of the inexpensive flights. I thought, what could be worse than staying in a congested city (NYC) where you can’t go one block without passing 10+ people? I was also optimistic about the job market I was about to enter, as the economy was at an all time high and the job rate was at an all time low. Side Note: I’m sure I’ll dive deeper into this in another post sometime soon, but I was let go from my job earlier this year and will no longer be employed by the end of the month. It was something was had been expecting for a while because it was a big change in the company direction, I just wasn’t expecting to be entering a climate like this during my job search. It’s hit me in the last 72 hours that not only finding a job I’m passionate about, but finding a job in general, is going to be tough. A few recruiters and hiring managers already letting me know their hiring process is on hold. 

Social Impact 

The effects we’ve seen in the stock market, our 401k’s, and the closings of multiple restaurants in bars is terrifying. In addition to people’s jobs that are in jeopardy that mostly have to do with the events space, freelance, or are a business owner. A virtual world is not built for everyone. Nor is it for everyone. The fact that we’re entering another recession is terrifying. The one in 2008 doesn’t hold has prevalent in my mind since I didn’t have all the responsibilities that I have now. The effect it’s going to have on our parents retirement, when our cities will continue normalcy, businesses expanding at the same rate as before…the list goes on and on. 

Personal Impact 

Like I said above, this is not the job market I had hoped for. To combat the dreadfulness of having to start the job hunt all over again, I was hyping myself up over the high demand of jobs in the city. It was a “job hunters dream”. Now that no one knows what the future will hold, everyone is scared to make a commitment. Unfortunately, that commitment includes employment. No matter what, I’m going to not only continue my search, but continue it thoughtfully. Making close connections, networking the sh*t out of my community, and going on every coffee date possible. 

By now, you’ve probably heard of the word social distancing. I think this word is going to be part of our vocabulary for a pretty long time. At this point, we’re looking at gatherings of no more than 10 people for at least the next few months. Not to mention the fear of touching or getting close to anyone near us. I was watching a movie the other night with my parents and saw a group of kids hugging. I actually got scared and thought to myself…that’s not safe! After realizing that this movie was not filmed in the last 7 days, I remembered that this is a new fear we’re going to have to accept. I don’t know what it will be like when life begins to get back to normal in the city and around the world. When will we be let back into bars? How many people can be there at one time? Will what makes Manhattan one of the greatest places on earth still have the same charm and appeal that drives us to pay an exuberant amount of money on rent per month? The answers to these questions terrifies me.

Future Impact 

If there’s anything I’m trying to pull from this situation (and believe me, I’m trying my hardest to find the positivity), it’s that we’re all in this together. And before you get the hit song by High School Musical stuck in your head, remember that everyone is going through this differently. Whether it’s your restaurant with employees you can no longer support, or business that can no longer survive in a virtual environment, or your investments that have seen better days. It doesn’t matter how you’re experiencing this global pandemic, it’s effecting everyone. 

Our new normal is a weird and scary place. We don’t know what the next week is going to hold because the past week has been one of the most traumatic weeks of our lives. This is a global event. We’re all going through it and you are not alone. 

Shot on film by Olivia Steuer