7 Good Things About Tough Times

I drove by a flea market last weekend and cars were spilling out of the parking lot. It struck me that there might just be an upside to today’s post pandemic reboot. Flea markets, second-hand, and consignment stores seem to be doing well. It means we’re buying less, recycling more, and contributing to a greener environment. Good news, right?

So, because I’m a glass half full kind of person, I decided to spend some time mining the silver lining in what some might see as stormy clouds. Here’s my list of seven other good things about tough times.

1. The humour seems to be improving. While it’s hard to laugh when times are tough, humour seems to be a growing priority. My husband and I recently watched a show called, “That’s My Jam” where Jimmy Fallon hosts celebrities as they play a variety of music and dance inspired games providing some unforgettable moments and performances. Two games in particular - Wheel of Impossible Karaoke and Slay It, Don’t Spray It - made us laugh out loud and served as a reminder of how good it feels to laugh hard enough to make your eyes water. Humour can definitely help us manage stress and sometimes even see a situation with a new perspective.

2. Tough times mean some people are losing their jobs. While that’s sad and scary I’ve known some who have used the loss of a job as an opportunity to explore new desires and options. For many, what was originally devastating news, resulted in a far more rewarding career that was a better fit with their passion, skills, and interests.

3. Not sure about you but we’re spending more time with friends and family. We’re also seeing families rediscovering the wonder of nature, walking, cycling, camping, libraries, and parks. This past weekend we observed several hundred families and kids walking throughout our downtown as they searched for clues and solved puzzles with an Alice in Wonderland theme offered by cluedupp.com.

4. Ironically, having less money means that many of us are eating healthier. Often we eat out less and at home more. The result? In most cases, food choices that are better for us. 

5. We’ve also been reminded that we can have a lot of fun without spending a lot on material goods and equipment. Subsequently, we end up spending less and saving more. That makes us feel better because we have greater control over our finances.

6. Irrelevant and inefficient businesses don’t always survive. While good businesses may not exactly be thriving, many are hanging in there. When spending tightens, survival of the fittest kicks in and those providing poor customer service and questionable value don’t always. That’s good news for the small business owners who are supporting good service, support our communities, and provide more personalized service.

7. Try to focus on what’s strong, not what’s wrong. There is no time, like a troubled time, to determine what you value in your life. Rough times make us finetune our lenses to more clearly see what’s important to us. If we’re wise, we’ll take inventory, donate to those less fortunate, recycle, and affirm, with love and positive reinforcement, on what and who matters most. Instead of fretting about what we don’t have, we can feel good and grateful for what we do have.

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