by Lorelei Cohen

Created on: November 11, 2008   Last Updated: February 26, 2009

The Importance of Little Luxuries

The country is in an economic downturn. Money is tight and stress is high. The stocks that you so carefully invested in and set aside to help out during the low points in your life are on the verge of bottoming out. Neighbors are being laid off from work as more and more companies cut corners to stay alive, at any time you could be the next one unemployed, or having your hours cut. The costs of living keep rising but your paycheck stays the same and it seems that every penny is getting squeezed till it screams. The stack of bills that get set aside each payday gets a little higher each month. This is the perfect atmosphere for a really good period of depression to nestle into your life. This is the time when the simple pleasures or "little luxuries" of life becomes so important.

Despite the current lack of extra income that you are currently experiencing, emotionally you still need to enjoy all those important luxuries, and treats in life that make it worth living. You and your family still need to get out and really truly enjoy your lives. Even more importantly you need breaks from the stress and anxiety that are occurring in your world. You need the little luxuries of life as a reward to yourself for getting out there and working through this difficult period in time. These small enjoyments in life are what allow a person to really truly enjoy the process of day to day living.

These "simple pleasures" of life don't have to cost a lot, they just have to be something that you enjoy, something that is a reward to yourself to make up for all the other stuff that you do in your life that isn't quite so rewarding. They can be something as simple as a nice hot cup of specialty tea or coffee at a local cafe. For around a dollar and a half you can have about an hour of entertainment. An opportunity to just sit and enjoy the flavor of your beverage while you experience the atmosphere that accompanies it. A brief respite or vacation from the stresses of everyday living. A little luxury might be that instead of going on an expensive stress relieving shopping binge, you instead enjoy a day of window shopping with a friend or family member, and then stop off at that same local cafe to discuss the merchandise and people that you have seen on your trip.

Pack up a picnic basket and head off to the city closest to yours to enjoy a day at one of their local parks. If it is winter, fill a thermos with cocoa, and head off to a local hill to experience

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