The recession in Britain has seemingly put an end to the ‘greed is good’ culture. There’s a study just out this week in the Daily Mail reporting the shift in UK attitudes from wealth, to the importance of family, health and well-being.
After all, “Life isn’t just about the money, honey” said someone famous, once.
After six years of recession, home baking and home/garden make-overs have seen a massive increase in the UK. For Brits, the recession has meant being more aware of the importance of healthy finances and also relationships. The study predicts ‘The year of 2014 will be associated with getting more control over personal time and sorting out personal priorities, including having better work life balance, leading a healthier and more active lifestyle.’ Full Daily Mail article.
We like to watch ourselves, or our alter-egos, if you hadn’t already noticed the back-to-back reality series streaming through your prime-time tele.
In Britain, cooking shows like the ‘Great British Bake Off’ has joined the scores of other cooking shows, however it’s interesting to note ‘The Big Allotment Challenge’ is kick-starting a lot of TV interest.
Are we trending back to some lovely basics? Home grown veges, home baking and some simple things in life? Yes. And I’m pleased about that. Not because I want to be part of a trend, but nice because I’m well underway on my journey and would love some company (figuratively speaking).
The move back to growing vegetables and home baking personally, is partially rebellion against the ever-changing world. Saving money, yes. Knowing what’s in your food, or the spray that doesn’t go on your food, yes. Taking back control of some essential needs, most definitely. But it’s the gratification that comes with hands-on hard work, and indeed the results of the seeds in-which we sow, that will have you grinning from ear to ear. There’s nothing quite like picking your own dinner from the backyard, or whipping up a dish in the kitchen from scratch.
Our grandparents may have done it out of necessity, but we can do it by choice. It seems a shame it has taken a recession to rediscover that for many.
*I have just Googled the ‘famous quote’ and apparently no one said that, ever. So I will claim that wee little quote of my very own.
