Breaking Stereotypes Niamh Yam

TIME FAMINE

TIME PLAYS A HUGE ROLE IN OUR LIVES. WE SAVE, SPEND, WASTE AND CRAVE TIME. TIME HAS A VICIOUS HABIT OF BEING TAKEN AWAY FROM US INADVERTENTLY, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO BREAK.

In a recent UK-wide survey, 74% of adults opened up about feeling overwhelmed by stress to the point of feeling unable to cope at least once a year. Another survey, conducted by Healthspan, revealed that one in four members of the British public claim to have ‘no time to relax’. These statistics prove how little control people have over such a staple asset in their lives and how time management is a skill our nation is yet to master.

With Generation Z being a generation engrossed in electronics, these statistics make sense. Our obsession with technology has partly backfired; we now feel that we have even less time, a side effect that no one had envisaged when initially creating these gadgets. Undoubtedly, technology has many advantages and we wouldn’t be able to function half as well without it, but it does have its downfalls. Spending so much time on our smartphones and other devices prevents us from having actual downtime and being able to take a break from our chaotic lives. On average, people squander about 1/3 of all free time in front of their TV screens and spend considerably less on activities that they themselves consider to be more beneficial and pleasurable, such as socialising and exercise.

We are largely a society of maximisers, working hard 24/7 and always looking for that extra hour of the day to fit in another task, but we consequently run the risk of quality slipping due to overburdening our workload. We may feel that we have achieved more, but only at the cost of feeling more stressed, more strained and less satisfied.

So how can we combat this?

It circles back to the idea of time perspective. Take an extra minute of your valuable time to step back and take a look at yourself. Make sure you are delegating your time wisely and effectively whilst prioritising properly and obtaining the correct mindset to work most successfully.

PEDRO DA SILVA @UNSPLASH

The Thief of Time

BUT WHAT IS A GOOD USE OF TIME? HOW CAN TIME BE MANAGED SO THAT IT CONTRIBUTES TO WELLBEING? HOW CAN WE REGAIN A FEELING OF CONTROL OVER OUR TIME AND BALANCE IT CORRECTLY?

I’m almost certain that anyone who picks up this magazine has experienced procrastination. No matter how well-organised and diligent you are, the chances are that you have caught yourself wasting time on a school night, online shopping or watching Netflix, instead of doing the maths homework that’s due the next day. You find yourself with a ‘present-hedonistic’ perspective rather than a ‘future-focused’ one. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not telling you to never binge-watch your favourite TV series or treat yourself to a new dress for that party coming up; I’m just simply stating that the concept of procrastination can hinder your potential and your mindset. In 1978, only 5% of the population admitted to being chronic procrastinators compared to roughly 26% of the population today. One in five people procrastinate so much that it will jeopardise important aspects of their life such as jobs, relationships and even their health. Yet perhaps we can lower this statistic more easily than you may think. Perhaps you can be proactive by making that tiny click to close your web browser, or by merely moving your phone away while you work, or even just by scheduling breaks and actually sticking to them… All of these seemingly small changes could actually benefit your future self considerably.

So the next time that you catch yourself with the wrong time perspective, have the discipline and awareness within yourself to notice this and fix it. If we all do this, perhaps we will finally be able to gain control of time and use it to better ourselves as people.

Money Doesn’t Grow On Trees

PHOEBE WORSLEY

‘THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE ASKING FOR BECAUSE MONEY DOESN’T GROW ON TREES,’ KRIS JENNER SAID TO KENDALL JENNER. ‘YES IT DOES. IT’S PAPER,’ KENDALL REPLIED BEFORE WALKING OFF.

MICHELLE HENDERSON @UNSPLASH

This viral clip from Keeping Up with the Kardashians was posted in 2013, and the witty comeback amused viewers everywhere. However, after rewatching the clip in 2020, it shocked me to realise how much money has changed in recent years, starting with the fact that British banknotes are now made from polymer. In addition, the total value of cash payments made annually continues to plummet, making cash payments the third most popular method of payment in the UK today. Even STAHS has recently become a ‘cashless’ school.

The ‘pound sterling’ is the oldest state-issued money still used today. Since 775AD, the pound’s value and physical form have changed alongside British history. For example, after World War II, the Bank of England changed the composition of the pound from sterling silver to cupronickel. It is no surprise that the pound is universally respected, seeing as it has endured eight economic crises and two economically straining world wars. However, behind all the history, any form of money essentially has to fulfil a simple function. Money is not intrinsically valuable, unless it is made of expensive raw materials, but instead holds value because people universally accept that it is valuable. Therefore, anything can be used as money so long as it fulfils the necessary criteria of money. Take, for example, the Yap Islands who use the famous ‘yap stones’ as their currency.

JONAS LEUPE @UNSPLASH

A cashless society is rapidly and inevitably approaching

However, as society has advanced, so has money. With credit cards weighing around the same as a pound coin, it is no surprise that they have become an increasingly popular choice. Not only is money impractical, but it is shockingly unhygienic. Just think of the countless exchanges that a single pound coin undergoes in its lifetime! Since Britain’s first online banking service opened in 1997, we have seen finance as we know it undergo drastic technological changes. Transactions can now be made between countries in seconds. But it doesn’t stop there. New innovations such as contactless payment, which was introduced in 2007, have increased the efficiency of payments even further.

In today’s society, entire companies operate solely online. Companies such as Amazon and Pretty Little Thing are huge companies despite having no physical stores for consumers. The increasing popularity of online stores is mostly due to their convenience: you can buy anything at any time and from any place. However, this change in society’s spending patterns may not be entirely good. The concept of people being able to do everything from the comfort of their own homes has become a reality. But all of this doesn’t come without a cost.

SUZY HAZELWOOD @PEXELS

With jobs becoming increasingly digital, structural unemployment for those uncomfortable using technology is rising. Furthermore, while companies such as Amazon increase in revenue each year, local bookstores and individually owned shops are struggling to stay in business. They simply cannot compete with big companies. Closing down local shops can have a big impact on the elderly, as many retired citizens suffer from loneliness. Small interactions can help brighten their day, and removing shops like local newsagents could have devastating effects. Technology may benefit the majority, but it undeniably has a negative impact on the elderly who may struggle with online banking and technology. Studies show that while the use of debit and credit cards is overwhelmingly popular among young adults, the biggest users of cash are people from older generations. Will the gradual replacement of cash leave the elderly behind?

A cashless society is rapidly and inevitably approaching, and it will widely impact all of society. One day, coins and notes may be a thing of the past, with the iconic pound becoming no more than a historical symbol.

But what will this mean for buskers and beggars if no one carries around loose change? Will theft rates be reduced if there’s no tangible money to steal? Will this be the end of break-ins and money heists? Perhaps the next generation of thieves will be sitting behind computer screens, scamming and hacking people in order to steal.