In the past, The American Dream was something a lot of people pursued. However, nowadays, it seems that the term has practically disappeared because a lot of people are struggling with how expensive living in the country is. To give you an example, one manager from California recently shared her struggles on TikTok, talking about how the current income, lack of health insurance, and other myriad challenges make The American Dream feel more like an American nightmare, not only for her, but for many others out there.
The TikTok user has been sharing several videos about the “American Dream,” one of the most viral ones recently hit Reddit, where she talks about her struggles as a manager in California.
According to her, she lives in a $1,600 flat with no bedroom. She feels her health is declining due to not being able to afford whole foods with her “$20-something-an-hour salary,” and speaking of health, she doesn’t have any health insurance at all. The manager also mentions how the electric bill is so high that she has to sit outside because she can’t afford to turn on the AC. Furthermore, she also mentions how she’s reportedly $7,000 in debt and doesn’t qualify for government assistance.
The truth is that this situation is alarming, and a lot of Americans are struggling just like this manager, or worse. We all know that the economy has taken a hit lately, with the unemployment rate rising to 4.6% during the last months of 2025, among other things that are affecting Americans.
Many users agreed with this woman’s statement, claiming that the American Dream is now a fleeting memory and the struggles are real.
“The fact she’s only $7k in debt isn’t something to scoff at. From my perspective, she’s being genuine and attempting to live within her means. This is a sad truth for so many,” commented one user.
“This is exactly how they want us to be living, too. Exhausted, dazed, and compliant. Something has got to give,” said another user.
This is a sad reality for many Americans, and with 2026 just starting, the future of our country is uncertain. We’ve already experienced several turbulent days, and there’s hope that conditions will begin to stabilize and improve. If not, people will have to make do with what they have.
