Ride on the recession wave: Social Report

Home & Finances

"Thank the Lord for the recession!" says BusyGirl Jenna. So what has she got to be celebrating? Jenna's social report takes a silver-lining attitude...

Frolicking about like born again hippies, it seems that ‘tough times' may not be as negative an issue as first thought. We're riding around on bicycles rather than clogging up the atmosphere with the car fumes, whilst the gym is swiftly replaced with a jog in the sunshine (when it bothers to make an appearance).

Yes, while everyone's complaining about this supposedly stressful recession, I'm finding it all very liberating. As media reports suggest it's on its way out (any day now), I ask you, was it really a bad thing?

I've never been one to be ruled by money, so it came as a shock to me how many financial commitments one can be weighed down by. Car insurance, loans and mortgages can begin to take their toll, so maybe the recession should come as a reminder that worrying about the future could ultimately stop you from enjoying the present.

It seems that the more money people have, the more they've been affected in the last 12 months, even to the point that those with savings are being refused financial support. I'll admit to not feeling particularly concerned upon hearing the news that celebrities were feeling the pinch though. Lilo's having to curb her LA spending sprees? Tom Cruise is cutting down on transatlantic air travel? Well thank the Lord for the recession!

Hell, most of the celebrities may be saving the world in their latest blockbusters, but in real life, their shockingly frequent flights are hardly doing the melting polar ice caps a favour. Their cut-downs alone have probably bought us a good extra century! And we're moaning about the recession why exactly? While you won't exactly see Lily Allen and Kate Moss queuing up at the job centre, isn't it fantastic to see the rich and famous get a sharp dose of reality.

And that's not the only positive thing to come out of the recession. Starbucks are decreasing in their numbers, where as charity shops are rising in popularity. Good news all round! Unemployed university graduates are taking the time to think about what they really want to do, rather than rushing into a career that offers financial fulfilment rather than happiness.

Many women are choosing investment items rather than numerous cheap garments, and now we're customising clothes rather than disposing of bin bags of ‘out of fashion styles', which trust me, will be hanging from the racks at Topshop in a few months time.

Redundancies have initially cast a dark cloud over many heads, but for some, it may be a blessing in disguise. For those whose jobs don't particularly inspire them, they should high five their manager for doing them a huge favour. Life is short ladies and maybe that's a state of mind that the recession has left us with. If ever there was a time to sit back for a moment and revaluate life, this may just be it.