Here we are, finally, on the 35th day and at the end of this longest federal government shutdown in history. Let’s hope it holds the record forever and that it really was the shutdown to end all shutdowns. I joked a lot during the shutdown, when someone asked how I was doing, that I was “bored and broke,” because it sounded cute. In reality, I and my family did all right. My biggest worries were for my colleagues, especially those who are younger and those who have financial instabilities that made them vulnerable. Because we live in the world of listicles, here are my top 10 lessons learned during the Great Shutdown of 2018-2019:
- Though I already appreciated my husband for what he does around the house, that appreciation intensified. He works from home and shoulders more than his share of household responsibility. While I wasn’t working, I lifted most of that away from him… and it was a LOT. I appreciate the labor he does and recognize how lucky I am that he does it.
- Financial planning matters. We have saved and budgeted to absorb single-income status at least temporarily, if needed. Our pantry and freezer were stocked. The cushion was enough that we didn’t have to make the sacrifices or face the very real threats to our shelter, bills, and food that many of my colleagues did. We never missed a meal or a payment.
- I had enough to do. In fact, I still had a long list of tasks that remain (and will remain) undone. Some were dreaded tasks, some were new and exciting ideas. Their time will come.
- I had to keep a routine in order to remain engaged in my life. I took the little guy to school at a mostly regular time, worked out, set office times and chores times, and kept a running list of things to do. The routine kept me from turning into an endlessly-tweeting-and-Facebook-posting pile of mush.
- Generosity comes from unexpected (and expected) places. Colleagues and friends across the country. A stranger who I helped talk through a hurricane evacuation strategy in a Facebook group. Much younger coworkers. Seasoned mentors. Sometimes the generosity had a monetary value; sometimes it was an accepted offer, sometimes not, and sometimes it was a gift that left me no option to accept or not. Every bit of the generosity went straight to my heart. Every single act of generosity meant so much to me. I will acknowledge it back and pay it forward.
- Stress amplifies emotions. Kindness from others makes me cry, especially in a vulnerable emotional state. So does accepting help and gifts. You never saw it, and likely you never will, but I acknowledge it now. Sometimes, being around my family more than usual made me irritable toward them, even though #1 above applies to my husband and my son is about as adorable and kind and charming as they come. Sometimes I was irrationally angry at things I read in the news or on social media.
- The longer the shutdown went on, the more anxious I became about the work load and pace when I go back. In our group, we can’t just ease back in to our jobs; we have to hit the ground running so that we can spin up the training for our colleagues that already has been postponed. I’m taking this weekend to be my last of zen.
- The bill to guarantee back pay to furloughed federal workers was the single biggest stress reliever of the shutdown. I never felt safe and secure until it was signed.
- I found myself playing the cheerleader role in our NWS discussion groups, to coworkers, and at least some of the time on Twitter. It felt right.
- Communication is everything, especially coming from leaders in my agency. There were a couple of leaders up my chain of command (including WAY up) who went above and beyond to make sure their employees felt valued, informed, and supported. To those leaders (John Ogren and Tim Gallaudet, in particular), you demonstrated why you are in the positions you are, and while I already respected you, that respect increases even more. That’s the kind of leadership that makes worker bees like me want to give it our all when we get back. Even more, it makes me want to emulate that kind of leadership to my own colleagues and coworkers.
Has it all been wasted time? I hope not. I worked hard to make it count – to do things that would matter when it was over. Time will tell if I look back and feel like I used the time wisely.
And now, it’s time to hit the ground running!