Some economists have jokingly defined a recession like this: If your neighbour gets laid off, it’s a recession. If you get laid off, it’s a depression. My bright, articulate friend Natasha used to work in the city but is now having to dumb down her CV in an attempt to get a job. It’s hard to know what to say when she asks for advice. We both know she is too experienced for some of the jobs she’s applying for, but I admire her tenacity. Luisa, too, started her career in finance, but has veered off in another direction after losing her job. ‘I keep saying that no job is too small for me so I’d better walk my talk,’ she said before landing a sales assistant role in Bond Street. The pay is a big drop from her previous job, but the people she works with are a lot nicer, she revealed.

‘I started a new PERM job this week. It’s staid, secure and non creative and… I love it! Who knew! Data management at a comms company. I like having some routine and certainty for once,’ a friend, who was previously a budding actor, emailed. I was surprised that she was enjoying her new role, but sometimes all one wants is stability and simplicity in uncertain, complicated times.

Another friend, who works in science, forwarded me an article to proofread. It was inspiring reading about a supportive girlfriend’s impressive career in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Meanwhile, the only permanent job I’ve been offered since my move to Amsterdam is monitoring prostitute reviews…

Hot Danish attempts to bring humour to my predicament but manages to say inappropriate things such as, ‘It’s hard not to feel like a loser when you’re with a winner like me.’ It’s good to know that the economic situation is keeping everyone grounded… Perhaps it’s a good time to quote Australian entrepreneur Mina Tadros, ‘Recession is like failure. It is an event; not a person, so just move on.’