How to have fun in frugal times

By AnneMarie Eveland
A young couple recently asked me how they could have fun in such tough economic times. Here are a few ideas:
De-stress. A simple way to eliminate stress: Breathe! As we consciously take a deep breath, it alkalizes our system and brings us into the present moment. It helps to slow down our racing minds. It is the first gift we get; the last one to go.
Chunk it down. Just do one thing at a time. Completing things gives you a sense of having some control over your life. Stop ahead of fatigue and acknowledge your work.
Carve out quiet time. Even a few minutes for you to reconnect with your inside Self – a place where no one can go but you.
Become Good Stewards of Finances. Instead of trying to afford something new, ask yourself, “What will happen if I DON’T buy this, or go out?” I recall my family spent only what we could afford to pay with cash, didn’t buy frivolous items, reused and fixed everything instead of disposing of things. We have become a disposable world; it costs less to buy new than to fix what we had. Accept the challenge to see if you can fix it or do “without” instead of consuming more.
Reward Relationships. “Disposability” has permeated our culture. We dispose of people when they don’t please us, becoming relationships of convenience for our needs, rather than mutually satisfying outcomes. Nurture your relationships.
Entertaining shoestrings. We’re high consumers instead of creative producers. Here are some ways to entertain ourselves instead of paying someone to entertain us:
Monopoly. Pull out that old board game you have sequestered in the closet from childhood and play it a new way. One pragmatic version I created is to tape onto each property on the board “services,” such as child or adult sitting service for a night, secretarial services, cooking a meal, dog walking, haircuts, auto oil change, yard work, house cleaning, any talents for the prize properties. Redeem the services or gift them to friends or family.
Potluck Dinners. The simply joy of sharing a meal and rekindling simple conversations. I recently ran across a book of riddles containing fun brain teasers. We entertained ourselves royally with interesting mental gymnastics.
Practice being in the “here and now.” Avoid worrying excessively about futures of which we have little control. Discard regrets of the unchangeable past. That’s why it’s called “passed.” Remember the Serenity Prayer … the wisdom to know the difference between what we can change and what we need to accept.
Think BIG. We often hear “Don’t sweat the small stuff. It is all small stuff.” Not bad advice. As we minimize our hurts and maximize the halos in others, we are twice blessed. It brings out the best in you and uplifts others too.
Walking. There are so many places here in the Rim Country to walk and see beauty around us. And walking is one of the best exercises to expand our “feeling good” levels and strengthen our limbs. Take a friend, walk and agree to talk about pleasant happy things, not gloom and doom. You will be amazed how such a simple activity will enhance your immune system and raise your endorphins – besides enjoying the company of a friend.
Believe! In yourself, in others, in whatever you wish to call “a bigger picture, a higher Being.” Find a way to trust the life process rather than blocking opportunities with negative outlooks.
Keep a “Joy Book.” Find a blank book; cover it with your own personal creative design. Each day write something you enjoyed about your day. Is it that second cup of coffee the waitress gave you with another smile and without charge? Were you moved by the tenderness of a couple holding hands, the playfulness of two puppies, the gentle breeze of nature, that incredible sunset, or your child saying, “I love you.” You get the picture – gratitude. The more we notice what we are grateful for, the more gratefulness presents itself in our lives.
When I gave JOY books to my friends, I said, “Just write your joys. Don’t date your entries.” When our brain re-reads our handwritten joys, it also brings back those heart-warming good feelings we had in the experience.
If we look for the great gift in our small daily joys, we cannot help but shout, Hurrah for Humans!!