Earlier this week a few friends came over for some early morning coffee, warm bread pudding, and ‘chattings’. But, of course, as Jamaicans, you know we must predict the future and give unending personal anecdotes about how to fix its problems, notwithstanding some of them being generational.

“So what do you think 2023 will bring?”

“I expect oil prices to continue to trend downward…”

“The Russian and Ukrainian war will end…”

“The prime minister will have to reshuffle his Cabinet…”

“Crime and violence in Jamaica will get worse…”

And, on and on it went, two pots of coffee later, and an empty bread pudding dish. No doubt, for all that we discussed, Jamaica’s outlook was not good on the horizon.

However, my position has always been, and will continue to be, that we must be realistic about what this year is likely to bring and how we prepare ourselves personally to face it.

Given this reality, here are my three suggestions for how to better prepare for and navigate 2023.

1) Develop a personal defensive financial position

Economists predict a 70 per cent chance of a recession in the United States. I would bet that the recession will happen shortly.

The implications this recession has for Jamaica translate to job losses, fewer tourists, fewer remittances, and fewer foreign direct investments, all of which we are highly dependent on to keep our economy growing. A reduction in remittances impacts the purchasing power of large segments of our populace who depend on those monthly overseas stipends, thereby negatively affecting our economy’s growth. Additionally, the Bank of Jamaica has increased its treasury bill rate several times over the past year, which will work its way fully into the economy, reducing disposable income for companies and individuals. Consequently, the period of low-interest rates is behind us, at least for the next two years, in my view. Moreover, inflation remains high, making the cost of goods and living for most Jamaicans difficult.

Furthermore, over the past three years Jamaica has benefited from a housing boom that created thousands of construction jobs and increased the wages of tradespeople and other professionals in the sector. However, to sustain a housing boom people’s salaries must either increase with inflation or grow with the mortgage/interest rate increase. But, as we are all aware, that’s not happening. Jamaican public sector workers are fighting to keep their little benefits, and salary increases have mostly been insignificant in the single digits, while daily living expenses are out of control.

So, I suggest that individuals employ a defensive financial position that focuses on savings to weather these difficult times and postpone any new investments, unnecessary spending, and increasing debt.

2) Prioritise your personal health security

There’s no denying that our public health system is in crisis. Only, unfortunately, one has to visit one of our significant hospitals to see it yourself. Nevertheless, the fact is if you don’t have money in Jamaica and if you get sick, your chances are slim as:

(i) you could wipe out your little savings on diagnostic care, treatment, and medication;

(ii) you get sicker or die waiting on surgery; or

(iii) you have the possibility of being misdiagnosed and become a ‘sitting duck’ because of the lack of resources to have all the proper tests done.

I have come face to face daily, as a Member of Parliament, with people facing these realities at our public hospitals. Most, if not all of my salary goes towards helping individuals either buy medication or pay for CT Scans and MRIs weekly.

Therefore, let 2023 be the year you are proactive about practising a healthy lifestyle and exercise, including finessing your mental health. Be disciplined in whatever programme you choose for yourself. Research has proven that the consistency of exercise, rather than intensity, is more critical. Exercise doesn’t have to be in a gym. You can walk briskly or turn on your favourite music and dance for at least 20 minutes. If you have difficulty with it individually, join a group that will help with your commitment.

Most importantly, ensure that you have some health insurance. If your job does not provide you with any, then take one out individually with full coverage, especially for diagnostics and medications. The Government offers some assistance with medication through the National Health Fund. Visit www.nhf.org.jm and apply for a health card today to help with pharmacy prescriptions and other specialised services.

3) Work Proactively with your neighbours about community safety and security

For this year I wrote several articles on the impact of violence in our country and gave medium- and long-term solutions. All the doctors, sociologists, anthologists, and crime experts told me that Jamaica’s crime problem is fixable but it will take a generation. But, in the interim, what do we do for peace amid states of emergency (SOEs), zones of special operation (ZOSOs), and ‘so and so’s’?

We must take some personal responsibility for our neighbourhood security. Therefore, if you have not taken the time to know the residents in your community, perhaps it’s time you do so in earnest. For example, implementing a community WhatsApp group for red flag alerts on anything suspicious or a signal if someone’s home is about to be or has been compromised is a meaningful start. So are regular community meetings and residential patrol rotations, wherein community members take turns walking or driving the community in groups. You could also look into the possibility of an SOS public alert system for a gunman intrusion.

A national neighbourhood watch programme exists across many formal communities. Contact your closest police station or the Community Safety and Security Branch (CSSB) under the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to learn more about this programme.

Whatever you choose to do, the fact is that we can’t remain fearful; it’s time we make our communities uncomfortable for criminals to come and operate. If we do not, crime and violence, like fungus, will continue to eat away the fabric of our society, and very soon the only thing left in our midst will be rot and decay.

Trust me, you will find that making proactive life decisions will give active purpose to your life and bring hope. I refuse to accept that all is lost in Jamaica. On the contrary, I have too much faith in us as Jamaicans that we will get through any adversity if we work together, pulling in one direction to create a significant tipping point in the best interest of our country.

We don’t have to depend on our political leaders all the time. Now is the time we rely on ourselves. And, in all of this, don’t postpone joy. You may think we have time to chase the world and all it entails at the sacrifice of our own happiness. Therefore, choose wisely how you spend your moments and with whom, as time is a commodity that’s uncertain to all.

Here’s to your hope, purpose, and stability for 2023. See you in the new year!

Lisa Hanna is Member of Parliament for St Ann South Eastern, People’s National Party spokesperson on foreign affairs and foreign trade, and a former Cabinet member.