Batten Down The Hatches: It’s Time To Secure This Ship
No matter who you are, the sea of life can be choppy at times. Life is full of ups and downs as the waves of fate throw us where they will. And, for the most part, we feel helpless to resist their power. This is especially true in the turbulent times of the current age, where politics and even weather are challenging us at every turn. You wouldn’t be alone in feeling like the shipwreck is imminent.
But, it doesn’t have to be that way. Instead, get your sea legs on and think about what the sailors do when up against raging waters. They certainly wouldn’t sit back and let the sea take them. They would do everything possible to secure the ship and ‘batten down the hatches’. And, that’s what you should do. Only, instead of securing the ship, you need to secure your life. It may be easier said than done, but it’s the only way to cope with these testing times. And, to help you, we’re going to look at a few areas you should focus on.
Secure your home
Your home is your base. Bricks and mortar are essential to any sense of security. Think of this as the foundation of your ship. Without it, going up against a storm is useless.
There are a variety of ways you need to secure your home. But, let’s look at the one which seems most prevalent given recent events; disaster proofing. In case you hadn’t realized, the weather has gone a bit crazy. The last months have seen a variety of horrendous hurricanes coming our way. As such, it’s worth taking note and preparing for the eventuality. You can do this in a variety of ways. Damp proofing your home, for example, will be a massive help in the event of flooding. You should also secure loose roof tiles. And, make sure to store important documents on higher levels. Steps like this will go a long way towards preventing the damage caused. Make sure, too, to keep an eye on the forecast so that you know what to expect and when.
And, of course, it’s also essential to secure your home in a more general sense. Home alarm systems are a must for any family which wants to ensure their safety. As well as putting your mind at ease, a visible alarm acts as a fantastic deterrent for thieves. So, don’t hesitate to invest.
Secure your finances
Securing your finances is easier said than done. After all, they are the one thing which remain tempestuous throughout most of our lives. But, there are steps you can take here, too. For the most part, a little intelligent planning is the best way to calm the waters here. Knowing exactly how much you have and how you spend it will help you. By developing a tight monthly budget, you stand the best chance of keeping track.
It’s also worth securing your financial future. On an obvious level, this would involve paying off any outstanding loans and clearing your mortgage as soon as possible. The above planning can help you clear your loans, as it will allow you to turn any excess money over to the cause. And, something like this house loan calculator can help you work out how long it’ll take to clear your mortgage. Once you know that, you can rest easy that you’re working towards a more financially secure future. After all, security doesn’t get much better than having a house as collateral.
And, of course, savings feature heavily in your financial future, too. The more money you have behind you, the better position you’ll be in. Without savings, even small waves could capsize you. With them, you can deal with most things that are thrown at you.
Let’s not forget, either, that disaster can hit our bank accounts if we aren’t careful. Credit card and bank account fraud are big business, and the issue is ever growing. There are a few ways you can tackle security here. We all know the basics about covering our pin when we’re at cashpoints. It’s also worth considering where and how you buy online. Sites which use Paypal are your best bet. Avoid entering your details straight onto websites wherever possible. It’s also worth looking into fraud insurance, just in case you do fall foul of thieves. You can never be too careful when it comes to money.
Secure your happiness
As happiness isn’t a concept you can hold in your hands, many of us forget that it, too, needs securing. But, if you don’t find ways to keep yourself happy during the storm, all your other efforts will near enough go to waste. In short; your mental wellbeing matters.
The issue here is that there’s no real right path to security. You can’t pay for happiness insurance or install alarms on your mental health. Instead, you need to take a more roundabout approach. Nothing can help your happiness other than you.
For the most part, securing happiness is nothing more than knowing what puts a smile on your face. It’s worth writing out a list of everything that makes you happiest and turning to this every time life threatens to get you down. Aim for small things, like a hot drink, or a takeaway. These are achievable goals which can provide some calm when the storm is raging. Coping mechanisms, such as yoga and meditation, can also be a huge help here. No matter what else is happening in your life, methods like these can help you find a place of calm. And, it’s much easier to find your way back to happiness when you’re feeling calm!
It’s also crucial you pay attention to your emotions at all times. We all take our eye off the happiness ball when something bigger is going on. But, forgetting to consider your well being could mean the storm hits that bit harder. So, always take the time to check in with yourself.
