Sitting on a public bench outside a fancy burger shop and a trendy Japanese noodle place, preciously eating my 75p pizza scroll and 22p banana that I've bought from the Sainsbury down the road. I'm enjoying the sun, the traffic going by behind me, the foot traffic, the trees either side of me. I notice the occasional passerby give me a sideways glance and I wonder what they think of me sitting on this public bench with my pizza scroll and backpack. They must think I'm slightly strange, but it makes me glad that this public bench is here.
12 months ago I would have comfortably slipped into one of those cafe seats - an activity that fell hand in hand with enjoying a lazy summer Sunday. I'm still that same person that loves the sparkle of being surrounded by movement, and the luxury and freedom of thinking outdoors. Now I'm counting my pennies I can't always afford to do this sitting comfortably in a paid establishment.
Contemplating this I've fallen a little more in love with this seat and whoever's decision it was to place this here. I'm glad that I can legitimately enjoy the sun and the streets and the people just as much as the people who are sitting outside at the cafe and restaurant chairs and tables. We're experiencing the same warmth and loveliness of a lazy Sunday afternoon; the same sense of belonging of being part of the city. And I'm grateful that I can do that. For my sanity more so than anything. The worst thing with living life on a budget is being stuck indoors for fear that being outside is going to cost you money. Trying to piece your life together and not having a good place to think is the worst.