Kim DuBois

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I did my shopping at Fresh and Easy the other day, and it felt great.

I really don’t like grocery shopping.  In fact I’d been putting it off for far too long.  The idea of the packed parking lot and crowded aisles didn’t bother me as much as the thought of how much food I needed to buy, how long it would take to purchase it all, haul it in the house and put it all away!  It truly felt overwhelming to me, and each time I tried to persuade myself to just go get it done, I found 100 other things that needed my attention first.

But on the way home, a friend needed to run by Fresh and Easy to pick up cat food, so I tagged along. Understand that I’ve been taught by the most frugal and efficient woman in the world on how to grocery shop; we must use coupons, shop sales, buy bulk and avoid last minute stops that add up in cost…  and I could hear this woman’s voice  (it’s the voice of my mother of course)  screetching in my head at the first thought of me buying groceries there!  “The prices are higher, you can’t buy bulk, there are far too few choices, you can’t stock up…”  she had a dozen reasons for skipping the small store and heading straight for more serious shopping.

But I didn’t want to!!!  I WANTED to grab enough to get us by for just a week or so!  I wanted cute, individually packed vegetables and single serving meals!  I wanted short aisles, fewer choices and a half full cart!  Because ultimately bargain hunting is HER thing, not mine.  I like to save money, it’s true, but for her, it’s the thrill of the proverbial kill that makes this all so important and gratifying.  And as I realized in that moment, spending as little as possible may be her priority, but my time and sanity are mine!

So I spent a little more, used no coupons, didn’t hit any sales, purchased nothing in bulk and got only what we needed for the next 5 days, and it felt GREAT!  I encourage everyone to let go of the voice in your head that says ‘you should’ or ‘you shouldn’t’.  Let go the idea that you must always do ‘the right thing’ (which is generally someone else’s version anyway) and do what helps you feels good to you!

I did, and the sense of relief was well worth the extra money!  There are no ‘should’s’ in this life.  Do what you want.  Choose what works for you in the moment, stop telling yourself there is only one right way to do things, and allow yourself your right to feel good.

It really is ok.

 

As always it is my goal to uplift, inspire and help others to heal their lives.  Thank you for allowing me to be part of that with you.  Kim