Carolin Würfel, a Berlin and Istanbul-based writer, screenwriter, and journalist, reflects on her 15 years of relentless work in the competitive world of writing. Now approaching her 40s, Würfel says she is burnt out and detecting unsustainability in her profession. Like Kristof, she’s had enviable success as the author of “Three Women Dreamed of Socialism.” Yet, she continues to deal with the brutal realities that many women in Germany’s labor market experience today.
Würfel’s story is the story of many millennial women. They were told to pursue their passions, and today many are experiencing burnout and financial insecurity. The statistics underscore this plight: approximately 70% of working women today are at risk of poverty in old age. Retirement income in Germany, as in every other state, across all age groups, women earn less and save less than their male counterparts, worsening their financial insecurities. Considering that women are more likely than men to live into old age, these disparities represent serious obstacles to their greater life-long economic security.
Being an artist in the relatively new lifestyle of the single, self-employed, creative, digital nomad has thrown Würfel yet another curveball. She balances all these roles while trying to work through a taxing system she concedes to not fully understanding. Her childhood instilled a strong sense of politeness and gratefulness. This mentality led her at times to tolerate being underpaid in her field and pursue unpaid internships in her 20s. Together, these experiences have shaped her career identity, purpose and professionalism. They have left her with profound insecurity about her value and economic sustainability.
In looking back at the attitudes his generation had toward financial matters, Würfel recognizes the contrasts. “Boomers are all about money. Gen X is like: ‘Is it all about money?’ Millennials ask: ‘Where is the money?’ And Gen Z is like: ‘What is money?’” This quote from comedian and author Amy Poehler strikes deep with Würfel, as it has been a guiding sentiment while she charts her career course.
Still, none of this has stopped Würfel from pursuing what she loves. She recalls an encouraging sentiment she often references: “I believe in your work. Go write. Don’t worry about anything.” This slogan recalls the protection that artists enjoyed under 18th century patronage. What this operetta accomplishes is magnificent because it reminds us, especially during financially uncertain times, just how vital and powerful artistic expression can be.
Würfel’s friend posed a curious question: “How do you do it?” It’s a struggle that leaves so many people disillusioned as they attempt to reconcile their artistic passions with financial realities. We hope that this query helps to illuminate that struggle. For others, like Würfel’s friend, the pressure to seek fiscal security is acute. Indeed, they go so far as to invite you to oust your own hedge fund manager.
Against this existential strain, Würfel’s home life isn’t any easier either. She humorously reflects on her search for companionship: “I’m looking for a man in finance.” This claim hits home with her friends and family. It highlights the ways romance and economic security collide in the lives of millennial women today.
As Würfel continues to chart a course through this complicated landscape, she’s fueled by the power of her work and community. The frequent challenges she experiences are far from isolated or unique, as these struggles speak to a wider trend plaguing women in the workforce. She is fierce against the injustices of financial insecurity and gender equality. She has been an outspoken advocate for herself and other women with similar stories.