finding joy in spite of poverty
once again, i am experiencing financial hardship. i quit my retail job because the environment was toxic and unsustainable. my trans friend got fired for no given reason, and i feared that i was next. i was paid the bare minimum to run an entire store, sometimes by myself. after working in retail for five years, i’d had enough.
this autonomy is a treasure. i took a risk and i am suffering for it, but the alternative was bleak. i have been applying to several jobs for weeks and had some interviews (YAY!) for things that i’m actually passionate about, like conservation and science writing!
there’s a certain numbness i feel when it comes to poverty. i grew up poor, so i’m used to it. it doesn’t make it better, but i’ve learned to navigate for my own wellbeing during these times. as an adult, i have more control over my life, and i am able to bring myself joy when i need it the most. here are some things that have been keeping me sane these past few weeks:
going to the library
one of the most underrated things you can do in general is go to the library. you can go in with a mission, or just browse around. eventually, you’ll find something captivating. another good thing is that most library cards are free; libraries also offer many community resources like free/discounted tickets, fun events, and donations! my library even has a musical instrument rental. i rented a beautiful violin for free for a few weeks! my library also has movies, audiobooks, computers, printers, and art!
making collages/zines
collages and zines are one of my favorite pastimes. one thing i appreciate about these mediums is that there is no rhyme or reason to them. you just create. find some old magazines/papers or books laying around your house. don’t have any? ask a friend or check out thrift stores (i usually can find nat geos for 50 cents). the possibilities are endless. you can use any materials together to make something unique and raw! (psst… if any of these zines entice you, i’m selling $5 prints on my instagram!) there is a whole zine community (there’s a take-a-zine system at my library!) in which you can trade your pieces with other people, which is a great way to make friends and get your art out there.
taking photos
when all else fails, document your life. romanticize it. there is beauty all around you waiting to be captured in a photograph that you can cherish forever. you can remind yourself of the good times, or document the hard ones. most of us have phones/cameras, so photography is pretty accessible. i look back and i’m so grateful that i have so many pictures; i can remember bits and pieces of the past. i have proof that things can and will get better.
home-cooked meals
i’m on food stamps, which is a big help financially. applying for food stamps is a lengthy process, but it’s worth it if you are low-income. the food stamps we do receive are numbered, so my partner and i have to budget where we can. we’ve had massive luck with aldi’s and trader joe’s. they have quality items for the cheapest prices we’ve found. trader joe’s makes up for what aldi’s lacks in produce. we recently started eating meat, and i pan-seared my first chicken. i was so joyful to make yummy food for my partner that was so affordable!
thrifting
i’m no stranger to being frugal, and thrifting is one of the best ways to do that. often, you can find a lot of kitchen utensils and dinnerware at thrifts, which is really good when you’re in need of basic house supplies. clothes are also dirt cheap, and you can find designer brands and clothes that stand out! i always have a fun experience thrifting. there’s a lot of things you can’t find anywhere else.
i find myself going to local thrift stores more often, since a lot of them are run by non-profits and make an effort to have lower price points. my favorite clothes are all thrifted, and it’s way better than going to walmart and buying a cheaply made top that will last two wash cycles.
hanging with/making friends
over the past few months, i’ve made a lot of new friends. i am also nurturing the friendships that i already have, and it feels wonderful. i saved this one for last because it’s the most important. during tough times, friends are there to support you. talking with people has healed me in so many ways and has made me feel more like a human. i’m incredibly blessed to have built a chosen family in place of those i’ve lost. there are people who love you and will love you, and there’s nothing more important than finding love in this world, no matter what caliber that love may be (friends, lovers, family).
i’m doing my best to get by, and part of that is taking care of myself. i hope this resonates with those who are also struggling, be it emotionally, physically, or financially. you are loved and things will get better. i promise.