Ever since bank interest rates fell, game earnings decreased, and all of the
doom saying started, reading The Neopian Times has become quite discouraging.
Every week there is some new article advising Neopians on what they should do
to ensure their continued survival or protect their hard-earned cash-you'd think
the end of the world was nigh! But I'm here to tell you that life during a Neopian
recession-if that is indeed what's happening-doesn't have to be depressing and
worrisome!
Sure, your pockets may get a little empty at times and business in your shop
might not be quite as brisk, but you need to ask yourself: Is that what Neopia
is really all about? Did you immigrate to Neopia just to become a millionaire
or accumulate the most plushies, PetPets, or Battledome victories of anyone
on the planet? Or did you come to live a new and good life with your pets and
have a lot of fun? If, as I hope, you came for the latter reason, here are a
few tips for you and your pets to stay happy and emotionally healthy in the
face of the pessimism that is running rampant in Neopia right now.
1. Don't forget about your pets!
Feeling down? Shop profits slow and/or low? Why don't you take a break from
all of the pressure of the business world and go play with your pets? Maybe
you should take them on a walk through Faerieland or even buy them a cool new
toy. This is the most important way to have a great Neopian life! Your pets
are the reason you're here in Neopia-be sure to lavish lots of attention on
them! And don't focus solely on improving their stats or painting them with
a rare paintbrush-those goals can wait. Rather focus on day-to-day things like
feeding, grooming and playing. Remember: your pets' happiness leads to your
happiness!
2. Read some fiction or poetry every day
This can be a vital part of making your day a little brighter! Keep up with
some continuing series in The Neopian Times, read new parts of the Storytelling
Competition, and be sure and check out some of the great poetry that's posted!
If you've read all of the newer literature, go back into the back issues of
The Neopian Times or dig through the archives at the Campfire and delve into
some of the older stories.
3. Try your hand at writing some of that fiction or poetry
Once you've read up on some of the great literature Neopian culture has to
offer, why don't you try writing some of it yourself? You don't have to be a
Shakespeare or Defoe--just site down and write what comes to you. This is a
great way to relieve stress and who knows? If you submit your work it might
even end up displayed for other Neopians to enjoy.
4. Carry on with daily life
Don't get swept up in the financial panic that seems to be building
in Neopia. Stay cool and calm! Continue doing the activities that are part of
your daily routine. Of course, if it makes you feel better, you may want to
take some precautions to protect your Neopian interests. On the other hand,
this whole recession thing may be much like the whole Y2K scare-a lot of talk
and fear, but in the end, not a whole lot comes from it. Do what makes you feel
safe, but don't panic!
5. Take everything you hear-especially pessimism-with a grain of salt
Let's think about this. Why was NeoPets created? Was it to make a nice, happy
world with millions of successful players and then ruin them all with a few
changes? I don't think so. NeoPets is here for you to enjoy! While bad things
do happen (if they didn't, Neopia wouldn't be very realistic), Neopia is probably
not going to come crashing down around our ears. The Powers That Be aren't cruel,
just really really powerful. Kind of like the old Olympian gods... anyway, don't
lose hope. And don't take all of the gloom and doom going around to heart without
first thinking it over.
Those are basically the top five things you can do right now to maintain a
happy and healthy Neopian lifestyle. I hope that everyone out there can continue
to have fun on NeoPets and not get carried away by all the negativity! If all
else fails, a tasty pie will cheer definitely you up! | 
