Economic Recession Means Back to Basics

A prosperous economy and everything is good. An economic recession and everything is bad.

This is the case if your happiness depends on material things. Of course, everyone feels better when there are no kinks in the system and you don’t have to think about money (because you have enough of it). And most people would feel stressed from losing their job. However, what I’m referring to is the utter devastation this economy has brought many people and the hopelessness that prevails.
One way to get out of the hopeless mindset is to focus on the things you haven’t lost. For example, suppose you are upside down on your mortgage and because of lost wages have to lose your home to the bank. Yes that is bad. But do you still have your family? Are you still going to bed with a full stomach every night? If the recession means living in an apartment, isn’t that still a roof over your head?

Some may say, “that’s easy for you to say if this hasn’t happened to you.” Yes, that’s true. But this isn’t about everyone else, it’s about you and focusing on the things you still have and making the best of your resources. Times of loss are also times of appreciating what we do have and realizing what we really need to get by in life. It’s hard to appreciate the little things when The Jones’ flaunt their excesses. But you don’t know how well the Jones’ really are doing when they get inside their home. America’s overspending and subsequent crash and burn should show us that things aren’t always what they seem.

So it’s time to get back to basics. Stop measuring success by how much you’ve acquired compared to the next guy. Nurture the things that are more long lasting like your health, friends and family. Pick yourself up with what you have left and start reformulating yourself. You may come to prefer the new path your life has taken.