The Rabuse Take
LIVING TO WORK
Issue 01.
2021
Elise Rabuse
LET THE CHAOS BEGIN
ILLUSTRATIONS & GRAPHICS BY ELISE RABUSE
Living to Work? Working to Live?
By analyzing and comparing my father’s American ideals with my mother’s opposing European ideals, I was able to create something. My mother was born in Ypres (Leper), Belgium, and immigrated to America as a child. My father grew up on Canterbury Dr. in Sudbury, Massachusetts, where the postal code is 01776 (think about that one). My parents' dueling values made me wonder about my own, and which were going to influence me more throughout my future endeavors.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I found the idea of the ‘future’ became increasingly overwhelming. Joining America’s workforce and sweat-shop-like culture seemed even more undesirable. It may be the fear of taking on more responsibility; maybe the ugly truth of having no time for those that matter; maybe the chilling feeling that sacrifices will have to be made as a career-driven woman too young to know if a family is in her future, or even wanted.
By researching the different cultures and combining them with my own personal experiences, my project turned into a therapeutic stress reliever, an illustrated mind-field. Including many scary realities, some goofy ones, rising anger, and some much-needed laughter—all forming what I call my Neo-Newspaper: “Living to Work”.
COFFEE... because crack is bad for you.
If you're happy and you know it... it's your meds.
"Roll me in fairy dust and call me a unicorn."
—Me, Myself and I
Fast Food
Quantity over quality has continued to become an issue.
Unpaid Vacation
The only developed country in the world without a single legally required paid vacation day or holiday.
Higher Education
Student debt has more than tripled in the last 15 years.
There's Always a Fire
The tendency to burn ourselves out to the point of no return.
TOO MUCH NOISE
On a scale of one to ten, how focused are you? Banana.
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BROKEN BANK
You're always rich at the dollar store.
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NEVER OWN A HOME
Being an adult is like trying to fold a fitted sheet.
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BYE, BYE BABY
America is the only developed country without some sort of paid maternity leave.
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STUCK TO A CHAIR
I don't want to be stuck in one place for the rest of my life. I can't stay seated, and I shouldn't have to.
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"I spend a lot of time holding the refrigerator door open looking for answers."
—You and Me, Both
HONEST ALCOHOL
Drunk people, children, and leggings all tell the truth.
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EXERCISING STRESS
Are you exercising your stress in an unhealthy way? These 'all-or-nothing' HIIT workouts can't be the best thing for us. Go ride your bike or something.
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SO MUCH STUFF
I always think of cereal. There exist SO MANY different kinds of cereal. Walking down the cereal aisle in the grocery store is always the most overwhelming for me.
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BALANCE
I believe the day you are satisfied with the balance of your personal life and your professional life is the day you become successful.
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TOO CLEAN?
For many, this may sound strange, but that's already the problem. Some people wash their bodies, their hair way too often. You're keeping your body from replenishing itself.