(no subject)
Another thing that is confusion about it all is the discussions surrounding gaslighting. I mean, there is speculation that is what Trump is doing to his supporters (and beyond) on multiple levels, which is why they are enthusiastically supporting things that are traditionally against that side's platforms, in fundamental ways that go beyond "the status quo isn't working; let's shake things up a bit".
But many on the left, especially younger ones who don't remember transitions as clearly, or with an adult perspective, are saying, "*Have* we always reacted this strongly when parties have shifted? Is this unusual? Is this really not normal?"
I say yes. The U.S. by no means has clean hands--that is part of the problem. I just think those who think he is the fix rather than the *other* side of the problem (the moneyed interest versus those influenced by them) are delusional.
But with the Bushes, there was disappointment about going in conservative directions, maybe some mockery, still a lot of criticism over specific decisions, but the offensive lack of filter, the autocratic shit, the extra-ordinary levels of dishonesty (although there is always some, on both sides) was not there. I admit *I* was not alive when Nixon became president, but my (socially liberal but strongly libertarian leaning) parents and my own research tells me there was somewhat more fear given his history and he was more crassly unfiltered, but still not Trump level. And, well, look how well that ended.
We've just got to keep telling ourselves this feels *really* unusual and red flag-ish despite so many people being seemingly cool with it all, while simultaneously not losing perspective.
Anyway...I'm procrastinating right now. As mentioned, I've been struggling in the last year with accomplishing many cool things but struggling with the balance. We all struggle with attempting to "have it all" but I think there is an element with work-from-home types, when it comes to assumption about time.
It's definitely not an element that is harder. In fact, I fully admit we have it easier. But there are assumptions of...not having a life.
I love freelancing from home because you *are* your own boss, because the flexibility is phenomenal. You can pick your days off, you can pick your vacations, you can go to that school recital no problem.
But I think people don't realize that we can work as many *paid* hours as they do. And when we take that time off *especially* when we have kids, those paid hours are indeed being made up and are being squeezed in at 5am, quite literally in the middle of the night, probably with more weekend hours than most, and more.
So yes, we are very lucky that we can make tweaks in ways others can't and can make a random weekday meeting easier than most. But there is a habit from colleagues, from family, from the community, of dumping EVERYTHING on us, as if assuming we're, well, doing nothing. Something has to give or be shifted to have that flexibility. Others may not even be able to make the meeting, but that also means that they aren't making it up elsewhere. If we go, *we still have to make it up elsewhere*.
It can be hard to take time for yourself. I just worked 4 billable hours. Craig is still not home with the girls. 4 hours is a short shift, indeed. Again, perks. But it is also more rare for freelancers to take a full day or evening off, ever.
I don't even think this is all "working mom" bias, although we may get even further assumptions or discrimination there. And I know complete SAHMs still get unfair assumptions this way. But I've heard freelancing dudes complain about this, about childfree consultants complaining about people misunderstanding this, pulling this, too.
We're lucky, but the flexibility/boundary issues are tricky. I'm still leaning towards appreciating the former, but the latter is part of the reason why I'm thinking so much about where this year's transitions, on many levels, may take me.
But many on the left, especially younger ones who don't remember transitions as clearly, or with an adult perspective, are saying, "*Have* we always reacted this strongly when parties have shifted? Is this unusual? Is this really not normal?"
I say yes. The U.S. by no means has clean hands--that is part of the problem. I just think those who think he is the fix rather than the *other* side of the problem (the moneyed interest versus those influenced by them) are delusional.
But with the Bushes, there was disappointment about going in conservative directions, maybe some mockery, still a lot of criticism over specific decisions, but the offensive lack of filter, the autocratic shit, the extra-ordinary levels of dishonesty (although there is always some, on both sides) was not there. I admit *I* was not alive when Nixon became president, but my (socially liberal but strongly libertarian leaning) parents and my own research tells me there was somewhat more fear given his history and he was more crassly unfiltered, but still not Trump level. And, well, look how well that ended.
We've just got to keep telling ourselves this feels *really* unusual and red flag-ish despite so many people being seemingly cool with it all, while simultaneously not losing perspective.
Anyway...I'm procrastinating right now. As mentioned, I've been struggling in the last year with accomplishing many cool things but struggling with the balance. We all struggle with attempting to "have it all" but I think there is an element with work-from-home types, when it comes to assumption about time.
It's definitely not an element that is harder. In fact, I fully admit we have it easier. But there are assumptions of...not having a life.
I love freelancing from home because you *are* your own boss, because the flexibility is phenomenal. You can pick your days off, you can pick your vacations, you can go to that school recital no problem.
But I think people don't realize that we can work as many *paid* hours as they do. And when we take that time off *especially* when we have kids, those paid hours are indeed being made up and are being squeezed in at 5am, quite literally in the middle of the night, probably with more weekend hours than most, and more.
So yes, we are very lucky that we can make tweaks in ways others can't and can make a random weekday meeting easier than most. But there is a habit from colleagues, from family, from the community, of dumping EVERYTHING on us, as if assuming we're, well, doing nothing. Something has to give or be shifted to have that flexibility. Others may not even be able to make the meeting, but that also means that they aren't making it up elsewhere. If we go, *we still have to make it up elsewhere*.
It can be hard to take time for yourself. I just worked 4 billable hours. Craig is still not home with the girls. 4 hours is a short shift, indeed. Again, perks. But it is also more rare for freelancers to take a full day or evening off, ever.
I don't even think this is all "working mom" bias, although we may get even further assumptions or discrimination there. And I know complete SAHMs still get unfair assumptions this way. But I've heard freelancing dudes complain about this, about childfree consultants complaining about people misunderstanding this, pulling this, too.
We're lucky, but the flexibility/boundary issues are tricky. I'm still leaning towards appreciating the former, but the latter is part of the reason why I'm thinking so much about where this year's transitions, on many levels, may take me.