How to Enjoy Your Life When You Don’t Have Much Money
We all tend to believe that we need a lot of money in order to enjoy life, especially with the current high fuel prices, and rising costs of groceries. Indeed, money does offer security, a chance to travel abroad, and engage in those expensive leisurely activities, like skiing and snowboarding, that many of us wish we could do every year.
But, do you have to have a lot of money in order to enjoy your life? Is it possible to find enjoyment when you’re barely able to make ends meet? Absolutely. While you don’t want to stay stuck in your current pay-check-to-paycheck situation — and nor should you feel you have to — there are ways you can still find enjoyment in your life.
Get out and enjoy nature
It doesn’t cost a dime to get out and hike your local trails, or to spend time at the beach — if you’re lucky to live near a lake or the ocean.
I used to live a minute away from the beach. Unlike most other beaches on the Sunshine Coast, the beach closest to our home was mostly deserted. Few people visited that beach for a swim or a paddle, likely because it was rocky. You couldn’t walk that beach without wearing a pair of durable water shoes. Regardless, I loved spending time there. It was the highlight of my summer afternoons.
On the hottest days, I would walk to the beach, strip down to my bathing suit, and march over and into the water. I loved how the cool water felt against my sticky skin and I relished every minute spent, treading and ducking underneath the surface. It was exhilarating. Even though the water was salty — as ocean water is — I had to shower off afterwards, but I always felt completely refreshed, especially on afternoons when temperatures climbed into the late twenties and early thirties.
The ocean is something I truly miss, but I am learning to enjoy the landscape of where I’m currently living.
Nature is the best way to get away without getting away. There is nothing more soothing than being in the great outdoors, breathing in fresh air, while listening to birds sing their melodious tunes. It’s a way to relax, de-stress, and recharge.
2. Exercise at home
Fitness classes are fun as they give you a chance to meet other people, but they can also be pricy. If you can’t afford to attend fitness classes, you can still get the same benefits from exercise at home. There are so many programs you can follow for free.
A friend recently told me about an app that she uses: FitOn. You can access a plethora of workout programs and meal plans for free. Although I’ve checked out some of their programs, I haven’t used them yet, but this is something well worth checking out, especially once the cold weather returns.
Exercise programs can be fun when doing them on your own, but they can be much more fun when you are doing them with friends.
Of course, you can also include a brisk walk or snowshoe (in the winter months) in your workout routine.
3. Read lots of books
Reading is the best way to build knowledge, but it’s also good for the soul. There is nothing more satisfying than sitting at the beach, or even in your own room, engrossed in a page turner.
The other great thing about books: They are inexpensive. If you’re unable to travel anywhere because of lack of funds or other commitments, books can become one of your best sources of leisure and entertainment.
4. Join a writing challenge
Use this season of your life to build your writing portfolio, if freelance writing is your much desired career. Join Medium, write, and connect with other like-minded writers. It truly is the place to be.
The other great thing about Medium is that there are publications that offer daily, weekly, and monthly writing challenges. I’ve just joined the June writing challenge hosted by MIDFORM .
, editor and owner of A Taste for Life, also regularly posts writing prompts and challenges.
Writing challenges are fun because they allow you to be creative, connect with other writers, and build your following.
A Takeaway
You don’t need a lot of money in order to enjoy your life. You can find enjoyment in everyday activities and in the simplest things — like reading a book or going for a brisk walk. All you need is a creativity, imagination, and a few good friends to spend your free time with.
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