Considering lifestyle choices
Regardless of world economic conditions it is important to choose the way you live and consider it's impact on others. Booms and Recessions are not new and hard times, whenever and for whatever reason they come, provide an opportunity for rethinking your priorities. The hierarchy of need begins with the basic requirements of food and shelter to sustain life, continues through increasing comforts and education and finally, once functional needs are met easily, and self determination has been realised, to the desire to give to others - philanthropy.
But it is all reversible! A job losss, or the collapse of a complete business empire can put the main focus back onto basic needs very quickly and at such times we can rely on old sayings to spur us on:
"Necessity is the mother of invention", "penny-wise, pound foolish", "cut your coat according to your cloth" and other Quotations and sayings, many from Shakespeare, were common in youth but seldom heard recently.
Greek Design often incorporates stylish ideas taken from nature. Greek food is often home grown and simple to prepare. Good conversation in a family or community setting is one of the best exepriences in Greece. We can all learn or re-learn to appreciate life without the mass consumerism many of us have got used to in recent years.
Interestingly, in the UK recession, coffee bars are doing well! If we can strike the right balance between work, social life and community, we'll all benefit.
Life Skills
Simplifying your life pays huge dividends, but requires clear thinking.Consider your activities, responsibilities, collections, etc, to identify the patterns in your life.
Group activites and note time spent on each and how you prioritise them. Look for changes you can make.
Analyse what you do and why; and whether you need to do it or could do it more simply.
For example - Why keep lists of what you've spent - it is past! Better to keep "to do lists " and budget plans. Look to the future rather than the past.
Recognise Change and adapt to new circumstances. They bring freshness and a sense of achievement.
Do you need to save money, time or effort? - Which is most important right now?
Adjust your priorites as things change, so that important matters are not left!
If your mind is filled with many small concerns you may be too tired to even see the big ones!
Make time for leisure and to see the people or places you want to see.
Gradually you can simplify life; not to give up luxuries but to live more effectively to enjoy and appreciate them.