As the US government shutdown becomes the longest in history, federal employees are turning to social media to share practical tips and document their daily lives without pay. Across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, workers are posting “shutdown vlogs” that combine dark humour with advice on budgeting and mental health.
Courteney Bush, a public affairs specialist in Washington DC, has created a TikTok series called the “Shutdown Diaries”. She rates her mood as a “B-minus” overall and says she is trying to find positives each day. “It’s a day-by-day process,” she said. “We’re all trying to think of this as normally as possible, so that we don’t spiral out.”
Deidre Drakes, an army wife, uses satire in her videos. “You can either stress about things or laugh,” she said. Her first shutdown video joked about doing “something strange for some change”, which resonated widely. She said the response has been supportive, with people reposting and sharing words of encouragement.
Essential workers who are not furloughed are also posting about the challenges of working without pay. Reddit communities and Instagram accounts have become hubs for financial hardship programmes, legal updates and coping advice.
With a pause in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits looming, some creators are focusing on food security. Lola Ajayi, a DC-area content creator, has compiled a viral resource list for federal workers. “I decided to put out a video with the few resources that I had found at the time,” she said. Her Google document is updated daily with verified information.
