In the first week after she lost her job
Sophie decided it might be nice to have some time off
And committed to no new shoes for a while

In the second week, Sophie slept in ‘til 10
Virtuously volunteered for the “Community Table” food program casual bridesmaid dresses
And went to the gym every day

In the third week, Sophie applied for two jobs
And worked out that her savings could support her
For another seven weeks

In the fourth week, Sophie applied for nine jobs
Stopped buying magazines, ditched bottled water
And reduced take-away coffee to every second day

In the fifth week, Sophie lamented the price of dog food
And didn’t purchase the reunion-concert tickets
She’d been waiting for, since the 80s

In the sixth week, Sophie researched Newstart
Skipped Friday drinks, cancelled Netflix
And rediscovered her local library

In the seventh week, Sophie applied for Newstart
Cancelled the paper delivery and her gym membership
And consigned take-away coffee to weekends only

In the eighth week, Sophie applied for 14 jobs
Turned off all the appliances at the wall
And felt proud of her amazing Green Cred

In the ninth week, Sophie baked a cake
And found enough change in her glovebox
To buy toothpaste

In the 10th week, Sophie regretted her outfit
To her very first job interview
And embraced cask wine

In the 11th week, Sophie didn’t repair the dishwasher
And discovered what a menstral cup was
And how much money it could save

In the 12th week, Sophie applied for two jobs
And declined two invitations
And spent two hours on hold for Centrelink

In the 13th week, Sophie ate the last meal from her freezer
And was invited to be a bridesmaid
So cried herself to sleep, then sold her car

In the 14th week, Sophie bought three takeaway coffees
News shoes, a bridesmaid dress, a wedding gift
And paid off the credit-card and six overdue bills

In the 15th week, Sophie read yesterday’s paper
Cancelled her Amnesty membership
And dreamed of take-away coffee

In the 16th week, Sophie didn’t replace lightbulbs
Used the last of her moisturiser, cancelled her health insurance
And bought tinned tuna and rice in bulk

In the 17th week, Sophie spent the last of her savings
Bought 16 frozen pizzas for $40
And couldn’t be bothered applying for jobs

In the 18th week, Sophie was approved for Newstart
And gave $5 and a take-away coffee to a homeless man
She saw queuing outside the Community Table program

In the 19th week, Sophie stopped eating meat
Cut her own hair, advertised for a housemate
And still hadn't repaired the dishwasher

In the 20th week, Sophie made her own detergent
Cancelled her wifi, ate noodles with frozen peas
And visited a hairdresser in tears

In the 21st week, Sophie found a bulk billing doctor
Only three bus-rides away
But couldn’t afford the anti-depressants

In the 22nd week, Sophie used the last of the tissues
Received cash for her birthday
And paid the power bill to celebrate

In the 23rd week, Sophie bought a cheap pair of jeans
Then cut up her credit-card
And felt truly sick of tuna and rice

In the 24th week, Sophie paid $168 to cancel her holiday
Found a housemate, used the last of her printer ink
And ordered a new credit-card

In the 25th week, Sophie cancelled her dental appointment
Missed a job interview because the bus ran late
And considered Buddhism

In the 26th week, Sophie called a Lifeline counsellor
Rediscovered her hot water bottle
And savoured baked potatoes with cheese

In the 27th week, Sophie unclogged the toilet herself
And learned that resoling old shoes
Can cost more than buying new ones

In the 28th week, Sophie took up jogging
Looked at old photos
And planned a camping trip to avoid Christmas

In the 29th week, Sophie quit jogging
Took a three hour return trip for a free flu shot
And thought about planting veggies

In the 30th week, Sophie sold her guitar
Bought three birthday gifts, accepted a babysitting job
And considered doing her Masters

In the 31st week, Sophie joined a book-club
And did her laundry at her Mum’s place
And took home a tub of washing powder

In the 32nd week, Sophie celebrated losing 4kg
Borrowed money to pay a vet bill
And declined three invitations

In the 33rd week, Sophie lost her keys
And learned that it costs less to fix a small broken window
Than to pay a locksmith to let you in

In the 34th week, Sophie didn’t replace her smoke alarm
And spent all morning weeding her neighbour’s garden
For $40 and three scones

In the 35th week, Sophie had a one night stand
And found the awkward sex well worth it
For the fabulous dinner

In the 36th week, Sophie revamped her CV
Googled interview skills and positive affirmations
And applied for six jobs

In the 37th week, Sophie created a vision board
Borrowed her Mum’s bread-maker
And tried not to feel hopeless

In the 38th week, Sophie discovered Freecycle
Avoided an old colleague in the supermarket
And wondered if prayer would help

In the 39th week, Sophie wished she could sew
Visited the markets for the free samples
And skipped her cousin’s wedding

In the 40th week, Sophie drank the last of the vodka
Stole eight Panadol from a friend’s bathroom cabinet
And felt sick with guilt

In the 41st week, Sophie learned to knit
Stole four toilet rolls from a public bathroom
And felt somewhat guilty

In the 42nd week, Sophie watered down her shampoo
And stole 40 sauce and sugar sachets from McDonalds
And didn’t feel guilty at all

In the 43rd week, Sophie let her last insurance policy lapse
And attended a free Business Opportunity breakfast seminar
Deciding the business was dodgy, but the breakfast was great

In the 44th week, Sophie took her last iron tablet
Hitch-hiked to an interstate funeral
And considered the meaning of life

In the 45th week, Sophie sobbed when some milk went off
Took a casual job at a checkout
And hated it less than anticipated

In the 46th week, Sophie considered selling her laptop
And read a Wanted ad for Skimpy Barmaids
Discovered that jelly is actually quiet filling

In the 47th week, Sophie ate baked beans
Read an article about unemployment and suicide
And wished she could afford vodka

In the 48th week, Sophie googled “Dumpster Diving”
Joined an Unemployment Union
And got three deck chairs from a neighbour’s verge

In the 49th week, Sophie couldn’t afford her Dog Registration
Or the fee to replace her library card
But managed the half-price peanut butter

In the 50th week, Sophie hurt her back
Wished she could afford a physio
And wondered about the point of life

In the 51st week, Sophie put on dark glasses
And enjoyed a hearty hot meal
From the “Community Table” food program

In the 52nd week, Sophie walked on the beach
And tried to remember her career aspirations
And wondered if this was forever

_____________________________________________

Written by Katrina Bercov, in solidarity, 2018