what i haven’t told you about my unemployment era 

Living in America is scary 😟😟 Actually got chills while listening to the healthcare insurance issue… best of luck!

So cool to see how you have progressed from "perfect student" to today. With my own personal life I was also raised to go into a high-paying office job but have entered my "fuck-it" era, seeing this video reminded me of the idea that people (especially women) who didn't act out in their teens end up doing so in their 20's when the stakes are higher.

The look is giving ✨Bay Area teacher trying to teach high school students that it’s not that deep✨

So excited to see where your unemployment journey leads you! I also work in tech in the Bay Area and the grind is so real. I quit a job that I hated in Feb 2020 and took about 5 weeks off. I hiked alone every day, journaled, read so many books, spent time with friends and family, etc. I slowed down for the first time and it was exactly what I needed. I was initially planning on taking 4-6 months off, but a great opportunity dropped in my lap. As a fellow overachiever who has experienced burnout one too many times, I love this for you. Also your hair is f*cking rad ❤️

AN ERA. WE LOVE. THE HAIR. WE LOVE. SIMPLY PUT WE JUST STAN

comrade!! i so resonate with you on redefining luxury. i quit my corporate job six months ago and i didn’t realize it was possible to love life this much. im also in the chronic illness community and i appreciate that you factored that in to your healthcare talk - i don’t normally find people who do!

I quit my job in Dec and it was the best thing I could’ve done. I’ve been living at home so my expenses are that much compared to most people. But I was able to save up for an emergency fund. Now I work part time and learning on the side (+ doing apprenticeships) to transition into another career. I’ve already decided that I don’t want to go back to a very strict company. The place I’m doing my apprenticeship at is very cool, the people are nice and it’s very laid back. And it’s all online and this is exactly what what I want for myself lol. So, I’m glad I took the time to figure out what I want.

Hey Katherine, I’ve been a quiet viewer for YEARS and I’m so proud of you for getting to this point! Look at you go and grow. Ahhhh love it! 💕✨

U made me feel better about my unemployed era. I keep telling myself I'm going to be ok without actually believing it but this video makes me feel like, yea being unemployed is not the end of the world.

YAAASSSSS queen! I feel you! In the same boat, thank you for sharing this. The world tries to make you feel crazy for choosing you instead of capitalism. I slaved away working 2/3 jobs since I was 13 and now 32 I took a year off. Family and people always try to project shame when all your trying to do is enjoy life like we are all ment to do. I commend you for breaking free from the hamster wheel!

I’ve been in my unemployment era since March/April, but I start a new job next week. Honestly I’m excited to have a job again. It’s been fun learning Spanish, having time to hike, read, and see friends and family more. But after a while, it gets boring, lonely, and gives me anxiety when everyone is busy working and there is the constant stress in my mind that the savings fund is running out.

Comrad here! I just love the hair and the message of this video. I've been in a transitional period of my life since right before the pandemic hit and the freedom to do what I want when I want has been so soothing. So much so that the thought of going back to a full time job induces panic in me. This break has put so much into perspective and has actually led me down a completely different path professionally. I'm going back to school soon and seeing where that takes me but I don't have any specific plans. Let life guide you where you need to be! Sending my love Kath 💓

I think this video is such a beautiful representation of “we know what we need.” And you are doing it! So happy for you :)

You are such a big inspiration for me! I have also been a chronic overachiever my entire life and I am now trying to find a new balance where I can still do good in my studies but stop obsessing over it so much that I ruin the whole experience of the degree and also my life outside of my studies. It is sometimes hard to shed old habits but I have felt so much better since I recently decided to reduce my study load to make more time for reflection and introspection.

You’re glowing, the hair is everything, and I’m so happy for you 🙌🙌

I really appreciate how open you are about this and I support it fully! I'm someone who's been working nonstop since I was in my early 20's...talking about the corporate life. Then back in 2020 the company I was at, starting firing people left and right cause of the pandemic and I was like: this is the perfect time to take a break! Ef it! Best 5 months ever! It was liberating

comrade here- as someone who quit her startup job in September in Seattle it's super heartwarming to see your journey AND I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT APPLE HEALTHCARE and spent $ on Cobra through my old company and it was $600 a month and that knowledge could have saved me 4 grand but oh well I moved to NYC and am taking a low paying job doing what I love instead of another startup

Comrade here!! Thank you so much for your willingness to be transparent with all of this. Long time follower (maybe since the beginning?!), and I feel like so many of the shifts you’re experiencing mentally and philosophically in life mirror my own. Looking forward to the next video!

Omg you look gorgeous!! Such a complete different vibe you’re giving, I love it 😍😍😍

Comrad here! Thank you SO much for clarifying the healthcare part. I'm thinking about taking time off or working for myself and not being insured has been the scariest part.

your journey has been so inspiring Katherine ❤️ sending you so much love and hope for what is presenting itself to you in every coming moment. it is so comforting to listen to your thoughts on this uncertain path!

I'm quitting in mid July. I have no plan and the closer it gets, the more anxious I am getting. But I am also so ready to be free.

I discovered your channel through your quiet quitting video, and hearing you speak so candidly about your experiences with unemployment, budgeting, ‘killing the boss in your head’, etc. has brought me a lot of solace. thank you for sharing your life online in such a thoughtful and genuine way.

Your final message is what made me hit subscribe. I like your energy. Wishing you much luck in new era.

I’ve been in the 5 day out plan for 2 years.. I work from home - I don’t work for myself but I am severely underemployed. For work life balance it works for right now. Make sure you are building the life you want. You have so much to live for and in the most beautiful state! Use the youth and time you have! Sounds like a positive outcome is the plan! 💟

Comrade! You absolutely spoke to me when you discussed how career life makes you compartmentalize all those small chores (e.g., the dirty countertop you mentioned) that crop up over time. They then live on your mental whiteboard far longer than they should. Having them there weighs you down, and is not healthy. Not only does it live in your mind, but you also have to live with it (seeing it every time you walk by, noticing it during use, etc.) while waiting until it’s the scheduled time to address it. There is satisfaction in addressing those chores, and peace in having them addressed. I wish you the best!

lowkey wild ive been watching you since your college application days... puts into perspective how much time has passed glad to see you still making content being your authentic self

comrade here! I love the OHAO concept, that's how I feel about doing dishes- right after eating is completely fine, any other time I'd rather kms. I'm not in the working world yet but I have one month "off" between the end of undergrad and starting my master's this fall and I'm determined to just enjoy myself and appreciate that freedom. Thank you for showing me what that can look like!

comrad here! thank you katherine - you have no idea how much hearing the confidence with which you speak about your choices has made me feel more grounded in my own path. sending lots of love from one fellow ex-overachiever!

hello, comrade!! it's so cool seeing your journey because i've been planning for a similar one too -- proud of you! it's a difficult decision to move away from what is "societally acceptable" in this country. and excited for what's to come :)

My fav video! Thank you for sharing so candidly.

Just want to pop in and say: don’t worry about your future employment prospects. I work freelance in the television industry, which means I am unemployed every 5 months or so. Initially, this was terrifying. But over the years, I’ve always found a way to stay above water, to find a new job. Just harass everyone you know and tell them you’re looking for work, and they’ll help you out. And more to the point: you’re an intelligent person, which can’t be underestimated; you’ll be competing against loads of people without your smarts, creativity and experience- which yes, is your privilege, but it’s the truth. you’ll be just fine- even if your first job back isn’t your ideal job, you won’t be out on the streets or eat into your savings. Trust me.

Your hair looks gorgeous! So siked for you and excited about what’s to come!

I'm actually on the opposite path where I'm headed into my first full time job after undergrad but it's definitely nice to hear your experience and take some of those lessons for my life. Unemployment is a bit too stressful for me rn lol

Comrade here! I'm returning to work next week after about 2 months off and I am lowkey dreading it so feeling very envious and living vicariously through you rn 💖

comrade here !! i love that last bit about 'doing nothing is doing something' will definitely start engraving that into my brain a lil more. Every time I watch your videos I just know I'll be relating to some of your stuff and it's nice you get to say the things I can't yet speak out loud for myself. Also, we all agree the hair is so 🤌💞

Prioritizing that well being is LOVE!!!

love your videos and loooooovee your hair 😍 it suits you. thanks for sharing your experience!

Omgg your hair looks amazing😍

Comrade here 🦇 Loving everything about your unemployment era vibe. Stoked that you’re reclaiming ownership of your time, and so excited for more content featuring your fiery new hair!

I don’t think I’ve ever been this early 😍😍 Thank you for the back to back uploads girl

Comrade heaaa! Thanks for answering these questions. ‘Preciate the transparency 😊

Comrad ✨💖 also in a similar phase in life and this hits home. Love the concept of devaluing your time. Gonna work on that 🙏🏼

Comrade here! You're looking so happy and healthy. Really happy for you and hope things continue going well. Good luck!

Wow, you look so happy! Very happy for you, and hopeful for your future.

Comrad here! Thanks for the insights in this video, I appreciate your willingness to be so open about this stage of your life.

The hair is everythingggg

Comrade here! Very much looking forward to seeing how the "fuck it" era develops. Also, just want to say that I can tell you put a lot of effort into your videos. I appreciate how you say you will go into things more later in the video, and how you quickly explain little things we may not understand and little thoughts that pop into your head as you're speaking (at least I think that's what's happening). The flow of your videos just goes with the way my brain works.

Dude the Fremont Solstice Festival was crazy! Loving the hair. Loving your vibes.

Comrad! Congrats on these changes :). Going through a similar era myself

Comrade, here ;) Congrats on taking a decision that is most definitely not an easy one, in a society that does make us want to think Work is Everything. Admittedly, I don't intend on quitting my job but I do find extremely inspiring the idea of prioritising your time and thinking of it as your own luxury (because of course it is). I think I - or we collectively? - never really thought about it that deeply until the Pandemic happened and we were under lockdowns and curfews and whatnot and a shift happened... Two years+ after and I've changed a bit the way I work. I still do meet my deadlines and all but I've stopped taking on tasks that I don't *have* to do, whereas before if I knew the person actually in charge didn't do their part and a project risked falling through (nothing life-threatening or anything like that, at that!) I'd do the task for them. Now I've decided that if they're not that interested in their own project, it's their responsibility. I do my part, I do it well, but that's it. And it does make a difference... I also work from home twice a week and my schedule is so much more relaxed. All in all, I'm not planning on quitting anytime soon - not just due to financial reasons but also because - luckily - I enjoy my work and I work in a safe and sane environment - but all the same, I've decides to prioritise my 'personal time' and I'm feeling much better as a result :)

Continuing to LOVE THIS FOR YOU!!!

I quit my toxic job in January 2020 when job prospects looked promising, then in March 2020 the pandemic and lockdowns happened and that threw that all out the window 🫠 I was unemployed for nine months total, it was roughhhhhhh af but I don’t regret it because I had to quit my job for my sanity which is way more important. As you said, there is never really an ideal time to quit, but it will all work out eventually (but not without struggle tho). While it was tough, Im so proud of myself for quitting a job that was detrimental to my well being, and have zero regrets! ♥️

comrade here! i've been in my unemployment era since i quit my job back in june of 2021, and thankfully i haven't had to worry about things like health insurance and budgeting to pay rent since i still live at home under my parent's health insurance. in this time i've gotten some essential things done like study for and get my GED, get my learner's permit and am starting to learn to drive (despite almost being 21, thanks to driving anxiety, but driving is the only option in the car dependent hell that is the US), and being the most consistent i've ever been in my pursuit of self-studying a foreign language. but after that, and after the pandemic in general, i'm just so ready to kick start my life. i have dual citizenship with the US (where i live) and the EU due to my parents and i'm really itching to be in my ✨starting the next chapter of my life in europe✨ era so i need to get a job and start saving up to have a some sort of cushion for that move and i'm not scrambling to make ends meet as soon as i get there. thank you for sharing your experience, kath!! it's been very valuable to me 💗

Comrade here! Thank you for sharing how you are managing everything in your life. I have been worried about how to manage health care plan if I am unemployed. Its good to know that there are options other then COBRA

You look amazing and giving vibes of being free ✨

Comrade here! You give me hope! Pls don’t stop making me these videos it gives me hope! I thought I was the only one who feels this way at work

Comrade here! Thank you for making this video and allowing us to see you grow in your journey to balance and fulfillment. I've watched your videos for years and it warms my soul to see how much more comfortable and happy you are now. P.S., I am freshly Kather-outspoken and so PUMPED for gettin' that S tier content🥳

Comrade here! I’m so happy to see you reevaluating wealth and luxury into something that is more meaningful to you. I feel like I am in a similar (but less radical) situation right now, as I only have a part-time summer job and therefore a lot of free time. It’s so freeing to be able to take care of yourself and your space and do whatever comes to mind! I’m a student and was very stressed at the end of this year because I always felt like I could/should study some more, whereas now, the time after my shifts is truly my own.

I’m so glad you found YNAB! It has been a game changer for me

Comrad here! I'm enjoying these a lot. It's great to hear your perspective on a lot of stuff I feel myself

Hi comrade here! I’m a new subscriber and I just wanted to tell you how much I love and appreciate your transparency! 👏🏼

Comrade! I appreciate this video so much. I’m a teacher in California, currently on summer break, and your words really validated the feeling to *live sloooowly* and truly listen to my body and intuition, and not live life according to productivity or even a perfect timeline! So encouraging, thank you

The hair looks amazinggggg

Oh I am all here for this yaassssss

FIRST OF ALL I LOVE YOUR HAIR

Comrad here! Loving all your thoughts on your shifting views of what luxury means to you right now ✨

comrade here! I am currently in a moment of not working (I just graduated college and I start teaching this fall) and instead of really enjoying this time off, I feel more anxiety about not doing anything :( I am really interested in trying to follow my intuition with what I want to do each day rather than trying to force things into a routine when I know that routine is just going to change once I start working again

That hair color is stunning on you especially with your eye color 😍

comrade here! thank you for this video, wishing you the best!!

Comrade here. Strong fairy vibes in this one, the hair looks awesome though. It often seems like the healthcare situation couldn't be much worse here in the US, I was really glad to hear you found some options that worked for you. I would be interested in more details if you end up using any of your healthcare plan. Thank you for answering all these questions.

Comrade here! This made me so happy to watch! It gives me a lot of hope so thank you!! ✨

Comrade here❕ It's cool seeing you exploring new things and playing. Play is important!

Super random thought but I have been following you I wanna say since 2013/2014??? And every time you go through a journey I live vicariously through you. You’re like me with more balls 😂😂 don’t know if that makes me strange but it’s a better way to say I love your content throughout everything!

excited for a new era!

why is this so relatable lol i am also goin thru my unemployment era and THE MONEY ANXIETY IS REAL. despite the fact that i did save some money... but still... just working class worries 😬

comrade here! i’m also in my fuck it unemployed era and you know what they say… besties who r unemployed together slay together. thanks for being you!

I’ve been on a similar journey!! Lost my job Oct. 1st 2021, but I didn’t really care because I saved up a lot and was gonna leave in about a year anyway. So I just started part time work again in May delivery driving. I really don’t want to go back to the “hustle” life and would rather chill & have freedom over my time, even if that means not living luxuriously. Luckily I’m 23, will be 24 in August so I am still on my mom’s insurance for now. :)

I have always been unemployed or under employed most of my career so I have always focused on not spending. Free walks in nature are amazing and I only allow myself a coffee as my treat to myself. No outside food. I am in Washington so apple health is the insurance to get on if you are not making a lot of money.

I don't understand the need to set an alarm if you don't have anything to get to in the morning. Why set an alarm for 8-9 hours? Why not just wake up naturally? One of my ambitions in life is to never have to set an alarm. I don't have to for my work. I will achieve this goal when I manage to start homeschooling my child and don't have to get him to school by a certain time.

Comrade here! I am exiting my unemployment era in more ways than one and I can't even begin to describe all the ways it allowed me to rethink so many things I took for granted. My unemployment wasn't willing, but it's much easier for me to see now all of the ways that it was a fundamental part of the growth that was happening in my life during this time frame. And not growth in a capitalist sense of things I can measure but more in all of the subtle ways in which my life needed to shift. Love your videos and your perspective and will definitely be subscribing to the Patreon once my unemployment era fully comes to a close.

Comrad here! Excited to continue seeing your journey!! :)

im right there with you and I do think you are awakening at a very very early age.

Your hair color looks good and suits you well!

Love your hair so much!

Comrad here!! So happy for you!

Comrade here! I wish you the best luck in this new era

Dude, good for you and enjoy your unemployment. I too would be a little worried about trying to find a job in what sounds like the beginnings of a recession, but I currently HAVE a job and think about what it might be like to have to look for a job in 6 or 8 months should something happen so I don't know that being employed right now would create more peace of mind. Glad you figured out the obama care healthcare situation because I was going to suggest looking into it because I was able to get my mom on a Kaiser plan through Covered California after my dad was laid off and it wasn't nearly as expensive as COBRA.

Comrade here! Wowza this was info packed! You’ve fine tuned some areas I still struggle and I totally appreciate hearing your experience. Side note re: YNAB - it is Definitely worth it to get thru the learning curve. It reduces my stress SO Much. I’ve been consistent with it since 2017 🙌

Your hair looks great!

Comrad here! Considering dying my hair a bright color after being inspired by you. I rarely comment but I want to know that I always look forward to your content! 🤎

Comrade here! Love the new hair and this new era 💜

I am loving the hair colour 😍

i am like this exact same situation. I left my comfortable corperate job because it had burned me out and left me a husk of the person i used to be.. but like, now everything is inflated and its scary.. but i like not having a job.. but i still need one :/

This - I lost my job in late October. I had been applying for positions because I was getting bad vibes at my old job. In September/early October, I was getting requests for several interviews a week. I was feeling great about my job prospects if anything happened! Then, it happened and I haven't gotten a single interview. I think November and December are really bad times of the year for job hunting.

In august I’m quitting my full time job and I totally understand losing discretionary income. I’m saving saving saving! Also please share Health insurance options as a independent contractor.

Once a comrade, always a comrade! From how to get a 4.0 in high school to the unemployment era

Comrade here! So proud of you and your journey 💕

Unfortunately I lost a couple of friends bc they thought I was going nuts bc I didn't have a job, even though I was completely fine. I think they were jealous that I wasn't shackled to a company. At my job now I try to keep the shackles off by setting boundaries. I say no to overtime and volunteer work.

Comrade here. That OHIO thing called me out! I constantly have a pile of worn-but-not-dirty clothes in my bedroom. The migrate from the bed to the floor to the bed to the floor in a never-ending loop, slowly growing, until I deal with them all at once every few days. It is a very annoying habit of mine -- as it, it annoys me!!