Trend experts look at what's in store for you in the new year 2009: Surviving and thriving
Joanne Richard
Sun Media
January 5, 2009
Down, out and broke! So says celebrated trend tracker Gerald Celente of the Trends Research Institute.
Joanne Richard
"The Panic of '08, as we predicted in '07, will lead to the Collapse of '09 worldwide. This year was the collapse of the financial market and home market; next will be the retail and commercial sectors," says Celente.
"With massive bankruptcies come massive vacancies. North America has overbuilt for a long time -- just who is going to fill all those buildings?"
Buckle up for a tumultuous ride ahead as the economic downturn digs in its heels: "It'll get worse before it gets worse... Employees will refuse to leave jobs even after being fired... When you lose everything and have nothing left to lose, you lose it!"
He predicts "economic Slimfasts. People are going to be toning down on consumption in terms of food and products. Rampant consumerism is coming to an end."
People will take a greater interest in whole health healing and self-sufficiency, including planting gardens to grow our own healthy food.
And we'll be lifting our spirits by lifting spirits, adds Celente. "People will be drinking their woes away and there'll also be a huge entertainment boom." When the going gets tough, people go dancing for escapism.
Cut back spending immediately and reconsider where you're sending your kids to university. Don't waste your money on degrees in the arts, history, communication, business administration or psychology -- "go into engineering or the health field."
He generally doesn't dole out investment advice, but he suggests investing in gold.
ROOTING FOR CHANGE
Out to lunch? No way, says food trend tracker Dana McCauley. "More people are taking their lunch as the economy tightens and health concerns rise."
She says farmers' markets and local products will continue in popularity, with root veggies growing in demand at restaurants and in recipes.
"Lard and fatty foods like bacon and butter will be considered luxurious indulgences," while popcorn -- kettle cooked and gourmet flavours -- will be the new 'it' snack.
People will indulge in affordable indulgences, like booze and chocolate because they can't afford vacations or luxury item, adds McCauley.
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BRIGHT SPOT
While people may be feeling blue, the colour yellow will reign, says colour trend predictor Kate Smith. "We will be drawn to yellow, the colour of sunshine and happiness, because it will give us the positive lift our spirits need plus it is a colour that can open our mind to new thinking."
Pantone, which provides colour standards to design industries, specifically cites mimosa, a vibrant yellow, as its top shade for the new year.
Purple will remain strong in 2009, and so will blues in a wide range of hues, says Smith, of sensationalcolor.com. And white will be right as we look to start with a fresh slate - white encourages us to clear obstacles and clutter.
Cheap and cheerful accessories and artwork, as well as paint, offer major impact without major investment.
GET CENTRED
Learn how to keep calm, clear and centred, says stress expert Eli Bay. "Cultivate gratitude for what we have instead of envy and greed for what we don't have."
According to Bay, of the Relaxation Response Institute, the current world-wide crises will bring on a "tsunami" of stress.
Expect an increase in psychological issues and a significant increase in physical ailments.
"People will tend to cocoon at home for safety and to keep their expenses down and many will become isolated and depressed.
Develop specific skills like self-regulated breathing and mental concentration/mind focusing meditative type techniques to release the stress.
SOCIAL NETWORKING
Call it a full chat room: "The critical need for face-to-face communication is here now," says communications expert Stacey Hanke.
"The human tendency of searching for sincerity, comfort and affection will never go away."
Communication needs to be clear, concise, to the point and relevant. "Without it, employees' motivation decreases, performance suffers..." adds Hanke, of 1stimpressionconsulting.
BIGGER ISN'T BETTER IN 2009
Think small, says Chuck Martin, of NFI Research.
Small and medium businesses offer the best employment opportunities. His research indicates small companies with fewer than 500 workers expect headcounts to stay the same or increase over the next 12 months.
"Forget the monster companies," says Martin. "Smaller companies may pay less but it's better paying than not getting paid. They may offer less benefits, but they offer more freedom."
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To get more on life, go to: canoe.ca/life
