How the Financial Crisis Can Benefit Your Health
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Once upon a time I lead a relatively stable life as Just Another Suit working at Just Another Bank in the City of London. I had a Regular Income and a Retirement Savings Plan and a pair of Pointy Black Shoes that made click-click sounds on the pavement.
Then, last April, things changed when I quit my job to pursue a full-time freelance career. Money’s been tight ever since, and the recent economic crapitude only highlights that I’m not the only one in a financial “crisis”. In fact, I don’t even know what a “crisis” is when I compare myself to people with families who have lost their jobs and retirement funds.
So I feel kind of silly writing about this topic when I’ve already willfully chosen to “opt out” of the financial rat race. But it also occurs to me that some of the ways in which I’ve adapted to job-free life might be helpful to people who are just now adjusting to a shrinking wallet.
Less money means = Less Eating Out = More Eating In
Kris of Cheap Healthy Good explains this much better than I can:
It may seem lame to discuss food in times like these, but it could be one of the ways we, as ‘mericans, get back on track. I’m serious. How we shop, cook, and eat determines a lot of our expenditures, and can be indicative of our larger spending habits. And if we can reform our approach to something as simple as grocery shopping (planning more, being frugal, going DIY, etc.) who’s to say we can’t apply those lessons to bigger things? It won’t fix the crash, but it’ll give our families the means to survive it, and maybe even prosper.
Elsewhere, ABC shows how healthy eating need not be expensive, even in a bad economy.
Less Money = Less Stuff = Fewer Choices = Less Stress
Consumer culture is flooded with stuff competing for our attention, and the myriad of choices is more stress than it’s worth. In his book, The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less
Autonomy and Freedom of choice are critical to our well being, and choice is critical to freedom and autonomy. Nonetheless, though modern Americans have more choice than any group of people ever has before, and thus, presumably, more freedom and autonomy, we don’t seem to be benefiting from it psychologically.
So while the economy’s taking a dip, why not take this moment to re-evaluate what your true needs are and stop worrying about choosing between a bunch of stuff you never really needed in the first place.
My advice? While you’re waiting for the economy to come to its senses, have a clear-out, a mass de-clutter. Get rid of all the stuff you don’t need. Maybe you can even sell a few things. Have a garage sale. You’ll make a mint as all us poor folk are heading to yard sales rather than Target for the best deals. This leads me to my next point.
Simplification = Less Stress
Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say let your affairs be as one, two, three and to a hundred or a thousand… We are happy in proportion to the things we can do without. - Henry David Thoreau
Simplicity means getting rid of stuff so you can spend more time with the people you love doing the things you love. Get rid of the clutter and devote yourself only to things which provide real value.
Of course, you gotta earn a living. But seeing as the 40plus-hour workweek hasn’t paid out for some, how about a 4-hour workweek instead?
Tim Ferris‘ book, The 4-Hour Workweek
His scheme might seem crazy, but his ideas are inspiring. The book is full of great quotes worth keeping on hand for anyone trying to simplify their life and get more with less effort:
Options - the ability to choose - is real power.
Each path begins with the same first step: replacing assumptions.
Less is not laziness. Focus on being productive instead of busy.
Relative income is more important than absolute income.
Believe it or not, it is not only possible to accomplish more by doing less, it is mandatory.
Find your inefficiencies to eliminate them and to find your strengths so you can multiply them.
Slow down and remember this: Most things make no difference.
Lack of time is actually lack of priorities.
Simplicity requires ruthlessness.
Don’t confuse the complex with the difficult. Most situations are simple - many are just emotionally difficult to act upon.
Slowing down doesn’t mean accomplishing less; it means cutting out counterproductive distractions and the perception of being rushed.
Life is not a race. Do take it slower.
What about you?
Has the economy inspired you to change your habits for the better? Leave a comment and let us know how you’re faring!
72 Ideas to Simplify Your Life
The Blog of Tim Ferriss
The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less
The Economy, Grocery Shopping, and Butternut Squash Lasagna: a Study in Wha..?
63 Life-Changing Quotes on Lifestyle Design
Can Less Money Equal Better Eating?
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October 14th, 2008 at 12:47 am
Well no, I cannot say the economy has changed a thing for me. In fact I consider myself quite oblivious to the whole situation - not because I am naive or ignorant but because I choose to focus my life and revolve it around positive energy. I live based on the belief that we are all capable of creating our own reality regardless of what is happening in the world around us. Most of the time it is as easy as not getting sucked into other people’s drama and a matter of personal perspective.
However having said that - just based on health reasons I am a huge and I mean HUGE fan of eating in at home - healthy, personally prepared and cooked meals just can’t be beat!
And like you I am planning to quit my job in June and go freelance too - regardless of what is happening in the economy.
I have no doubt that everything will work out for you Monica - just as long as you keep moving in the direction of your own wonderful creations
October 14th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I enjoyed this post and, as I read it, I thought that perhaps we’d not be in this economic situation if we’d all been after this sort of mindset all along. I mean at all levels of society, the personal AND business worlds.
My upbringing was just as you write about, so the lifestyle you describe is pretty close to what my husband and I practice. I must say, I’ve lived in a very rural community, in one of the US’s largest cities, and now rural-urban just outside that city. What I found, even for myself, having back-to-basics thinking is in the city is difficult to maintain. “Keeping up with the Joneses” and peer pressure is very subtle and insidious. I can see how people without much self discipline can become mired in trouble. And “if everyone else is doing it…”, well…
You know, I found that living as you describe is so beneficial on many levels. My sense of community is larger, my outlook is sunnier, I’m in terrific health, I have the mental space to consider new horizons, and the time to enjoy my accomplishments. Life is just nicer. Not only do I SEE the “roses” so many other people seem to overlook, I stop and “smell them,” too!
October 14th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Evita and Julie - you both bring up another thing I’ve noticed since the meltdown. That is, I haven’t really noticed a thing! The whole crash hasn’t seemed to effect me at all. I thought maybe this was because I live in London, but then I talked to my parents (mom runs her own business and dad is a teacher) and they didn’t even mention it. They’re actually selling their house and shopping for a new one.
Isn’t it nice to not have to “survive” the hard times? You both point out something key to making sure these hard times really aren’t hard at all: maintaining positivity under ALL circumstances, good and bad. Sounds easy, I guess - but so is life.
Julie, your comment on peer pressure made me think about how living in London has affected my lifestyle, and hastened my dreams of moving to the country! You’re right, the city influences are “subtle and insidious”. Much like the black dirt I find in my ears after a day’s cycling in London. Someday I’ll be smelling more roses than car exhaust. But while I’m here I’m trying to make the most of it, and look to the positive side of living in a big city. I want to believe that it’s possible to live the lifestyle I propose while still living in “regular”, urban society.