the conscious life

The Husband and I have been making an effort to live our lives more holistically and actively - utilising our surroundings and all it has to offer, and finding cost-effective ways to have fun. Yes, you can safely assume that we too, are feeling the effects of the worldwide economy crunch.

I must admit however, that our current situation has opened my eyes and helped me to pay more attention to the things going on around me. Each day, The Husband and I read the news online and browse through websites to look for events happening around the city that we could participate in. We take advantage of the community-based activities and concerts, whether it's going to the Viaduct to watch fireworks at night, or having a picnic in a park where free summer concerts are being held.  

Most afternoons, we park ourselves on our local beach, enjoying a couple of hours of sun and swimming. When the tide is out, we arm ourselves with books and a bottle of wine, often spending hours out in the sun until it gets chilly. In the evenings, we can usually be found strolling hand in hand on the boulevard, enjoying the sunset with ice-cream or two in hand. Other days, when it's all quiet, we invite friends over for barbecues or a pot luck on our deck.

We've also been eating homemade meals nearly everyday. Once a week we buy groceries, planning our meals in advance. We always cook enough for leftovers so the Husband has enough for work the next morning. Keen gardener that he is, we've also been growing plants on pots on our deck, and utilising the labours of it in our meals. Our tomatoes are starting to ripen, and burst with a sweetness so tangibly different from the store-bought variety. We are also anticipating the ripening of the two glorious lemons on the lemon tree. Who knew growing your own fruit (and then eating them) could be so fulfilling? In little pots, our herb varies. From chives to rosemary, oregano to parsley, some flourish while others mainly survive. We don't always use them - but it's so good to know they're there.

We watch movies in the cinema only on movie nights, when tickets are $10 per person and not $15 like it usually is. Lately, even that is a luxury. We prefer to wait for it to come out on DVD, and using the coupons we get from the supermarkets, we're able to hire two new DVDs - typically one new release for another new release free. 

Now, I have never been the queen of thrift. Once upon a time, I spent money on clothes, books, bottles of wine and food, without thought, and better yet, without guilt. But today, I look at myself and I'm proud of all I've learned, and how money-savvy and consciously I am living. Perhaps it was never about what you could buy, but about seeing opportunities and using them in the wisest way possible. 

My, I am growing up.