When self-checkout first came out, I thought it was kind of fun getting to scan my own groceries and play cashier. It seemed rather perfect if I only had a few items to pick up. I could just run through, scan, pay and go without getting behind the weekly shopper with the bulging buggy.

Fast forward several years, and I no longer care for self-checkouts. Like most things brought to fruition to make things a little extra convenient, it has now taken over and changed everything. There are certain stores that if you shop after 8:00 or 9:00 o’clock at night, self-checkout is your only option. Frankly, I have a full-time job, so at the end of my grocery shopping, I don’t want another one as cashier when my cart is filled with supper, cleaning supplies, paper towels and a 22-pound bag of dog food; there simply isn’t enough room, and it turns into a ridiculous, stress-inducing situation.

Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid only of standing still.

— Chinese Proverb –

It’s only February, and I want a do-over. This year has not gone according to plan. Asthmatic bronchitis pummeled my health for almost all of January, so I feel like my new year is a bust. How are you doing?

If you are in the same boat as me, already seeking a do-over, I understand. I’ve decided to not dwell on what I haven’t accomplished and grant myself permission to simply start fresh in February. You should give yourself permission for the same. Let’s let January be our mulligan and tee off 2020 again! 

If you know from the get-go you’re not going to stick to your New Year’s resolutions, you’re not weak. You’re simply making the wrong resolutions. Trust me, if something is of utmost importance to you, you will stick to it no matter what. I know cutting carbs is hard, and saving money is impossible when you barely can make ends meet. Finding a new career is intimidating, and the thought of going back to
school is horrifying. Finding new love is paralyzing and calling it quits turns you inside out.

Fact: Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy, but, if you want something bad enough, it is easily achievable.

Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.  
—Carl Jung–

Almost every day I find myself wanting a do-over, meaning going back to the moment I woke up and begin again. This desire is usually fueled by a long to-do list that is not being checked off fast enough, or at all. Regardless how many tasks are on the list, most go undone, even though I’m full-throttle slammed all day long. It’s exhausting.

You hear it all the time: Shop local! But why should you? It’s so much easier to sit in bed with the world of retail at your fingertips. You never have to worry about running into anyone you know, or take time to drive to a store and go in. You can shop ’til you drop all by yourself without ever touching a product or talking to a human.

While online shopping seems to be the ticket for ease and convenience, shoppers need to think twice about dissing the local stores in their community. There are detrimental, long-term consequences to the massive growing, online shopping mentality.