The 'How TF Am I An Essential Worker' meme rose to prominence during the global lockdowns of 2020. It satirizes the government mandates that categorized certain businesses as 'essential' while others were forced to close. The humor stems from the absurdity of low-wage retail or specialty service employees—such as those working in craft stores, vape shops, or luxury boutiques—being required to work in-person during a health crisis. It captures the collective irony felt by employees who felt underappreciated until they were suddenly labeled essential to the economy's survival. Today, it remains a popular way to vent about mundane jobs and the contradictions of corporate labor.