Can We Start the Revolution Now?

I’m going to keep this one brief because I don’t have much to say before I result to screaming and yelling. I love this city, but when I hear what my friends up north pay for their rent, it makes me want to start the sequel to the Great Fire of London. Like everyone else I know, our rent has increased and now we are looking for a new place to live and scrambling to jobs to cover the costs. The fact that I am in the privileged position of having student loan, but the heat of the cost of living crisis is still making me sweat, is scary. Honestly, I think it scares me because I want to live in London after graduation but whether or not I can afford it is another thing.

Working for money is the worst. My friends and I all have part time jobs, but they are not in the fields we want to work in full-time. Our part-time sectors (hospitality/retail) pay us, our desired full-time sectors (the arts) are notorious for not paying. All of our parents warned us of this but now, reality is settling in and it feels like we only have one more year to make this work.

A month ago, I had a job were before my shift, I was so anxious, and when my shift finally ended, I was a husk of a woman. Then I had to make the choice between working there for good pay but not in the best conditions, or working for less in a better environment. I ended up choosing the second option and I definitely have more peace of mind but the financial set back made me question whether I made the right move. How can I turn my mental wellbeing into currency?

Teachers, doctors, train drivers, writers, actors, even Royal Mail has been on strike, all for good reason. It’s not looking good for anyone right now. I feel like I’m competing with my colleagues for more hours. Mornings where I would journal have now been replaced with applying for second jobs with my friend Gloria. Capitalism sucks.

I do think the revolution has begun, and I know revolutions take time but I’m gonna need this one to pick up the pace. Hang in there, my friends.

See you next time with a more hopeful post!