I didn’t get an Amazon Prime membership until the pandemic, when the allure of delivery finally outweighed the yearly cost for me.
I was impressed by the convenience, and never looked back — until three months ago when my Prime membership was about to renew. My budget has tightened, and I thought that if I’d lived without it before, surely I could do it again, right?
Plus, I knew I’d save money when the ease of ordering was no longer an option. There have been far too many times when I’ve regretted late-night purchases that I wouldn’t make in the light of day. Over the holidays, for instance, I woke up to see if I could cancel the $25 Amazon order of gourmet gummy bears I had placed the night before, but it was too late.
I felt free after canceling, but it was scary too
I knew that letting go of Prime meant having to run more errands again, but errands are something I’ve caught myself wanting more of — not less.
I’ve grown to miss running out for even silly things, like milk for my coffee and cereal the next morning. So the idea of being forced to find all of my favorite things out in the physical world again was appealing. I just wasn’t used to it anymore.
I’m adjusting to making lists now for the stuff I need and planning errands, but I didn’t realize I wouldn’t know where to buy anything anymore.
Once I saw the level of dependency I had developed with Prime, I didn’t want to use it anymore
I became determined to figure out where my favorite products are available and have sometimes opted to order directly from the company instead of going to a large superstore for the same thing. I might spend more because of shipping costs, but I feel better about supporting a smaller company. I also feel like I’ve made a connection with the people behind the business, as if my direct sale is a direct thank-you. Plus, I often get some kind of bonus, such as free samples, discounts for later, or a cute memento.
In some cases, I’ve even found new products to replace ones that, for whatever reason, I could only buy through Amazon, such as certain vitamins and supplements, and foregone other products entirely, realizing in their absence that I didn’t really need them.
I’ve returned to a more mindful shopping experience, where I consider the quality of what I’m buying or what I might be supporting through my purchase. In this way, I feel more invested in my purchasing decisions again, and like I’ve reclaimed some of my buying power.
I’ve realized how much I gave up for the convenience of delivery
I’ve learned it helps to give myself a pep talk that I’m only going inside to buy whatever it is I came for. I have failed the most at this in used bookstores and bargain stores. For instance, I went into Five Below specifically looking for a dog bed — and I left without one, but somehow I’d spent $60 on other amazing finds. While I do love everything I found that day, I didn’t necessarily have the budget for it. In this way, running errands again has gotten me into trouble a few times.
I knew I missed getting ready to go out for a morning or an afternoon of errands, but what I had forgotten about missing were the smaller things: hearing just the right song in the car, treating myself to an errand coffee, physically sifting through items like clothes in a store, and the simple joy of just browsing.
And it does seem a little too simple sometimes, because I would have never thought that incorporating more to-dos back into my life would ultimately bring so much back to me.
I’m hoping the shiny new feeling of running errands doesn’t wear off, because what once felt like chores now feel like these mini adventures I’ve just been having so much fun on.
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