Life As Chapters: Most Dynamics Will Eventually End
A couple of years ago, I was up at this art fair. I had recently worked for an agency in Fort Worth and I got piped from there — hours reduction — for various reasons including “they didn’t have revenue” and “I was an asshole who was drinking too much at the time.” A week or so after me and this sales guy named Dave got piped out, 10–12 others did as well. So, all in all, about 14 people out of 59–60 lost their gigs. I think they’ve since rebounded, but am not sure.
While I was at this art fair, I saw these two young women who had worked with me, both now laid off, pass by each other. Like, barely a hello. Maybe a brief acknowledgement at best. When we all worked together, they had lunch constantly. They sat near each other. They seemed to be friends. And now, months later, they were barely acknowledging each other on the street.
It felt weird to me, but then I remembered: most of life is chapters. For a chunk of people, you have these chapters:
- Your family
- Friends from very young
- Friends from middle/high
- Friends from university
- Some former colleagues
