design and the recession

So who hasn't thought about the recession and how it all will go?
For the first time last year I was not very busy in december and after a while I enjoyed it as a welcome change. It was great being able to help Paul my partner with the set up of his show, take lots of photos and generally remember what it was like to have free time.
I was very busy, but with playing, instead of solving typographical or informational problems.
I had a great time and every time someone asked me if i was busy - I kind of felt guilty for not being busy and running around like everyone else.
it takes a lot of courage to be happy and play when one is not busy working or making money, and it certainly has taken me a while to learn that and make the most out of my free time.
even after a lot of years of practicing this happy go lucky approach i sometimes find myself wondering what i am doing.
Last year I had been rather busy and forgot how to play. I remember looking around me and wondering what all the fuss was about. I didn't know how to look at ordinary objects and find their special glow anymore. I couldn't see or find beauty if it hit me on the shoulder, but having free time changed that again. I had the best and most productive december and january is pretty much the same, but more focused.
Today I came upon this great article by Michael Bierut - designing through the recession. He has been through 4 or 5 recessions and talks you through them step by step. And I love the way he finishes with: "If you've got this discipline to survive, or even thrive, in the next year or so, you'll be mastering skills that will serve you well forever. Good luck."