Supermarket Sweep
Updated: Mar 12, 2022
I believe that there is no better place in the world than a supermarket at 8 o’clock on a Saturday morning. The customers are the kindest you could come across; motivated to start their day with the bits they need, having the rest of the morning to themselves. They appreciate the tiny elements of shopping; fresh fruit, arranged groceries and free coupons.
There’s a sense of pride in being awake that early on a weekend morning. Optional or not. Sometimes when I try hard enough I envision a timeline where I go to the gym at 8 o’clock on a Saturday morning. Somewhere in Dublin. A clean gym, a grey and black colour scheme, with every piece of gym equipment one can think of. There would only be two or three other people there exercising. They have jobs in offices and embassies, wearing ASICS trainers to work before changing into stilettos at the front door.
I like to think about this possible future of mine because for so long it seemed impossible. Even if I’m prone to think that a quick departure to the big smoke will cure any problem I have. I’ll turn vegan, fall in love with exercising and study a Bachelor of Commerce in the meantime.
Every Friday in school we used to have a revision class, nicknamed ‘get your life together’. I’m convinced that this was the last time I felt organised. However now I need much more than forty minutes of organisation, I need forty days of strict preparation.
Having said that, it’s not how the world works. Even when the globe stays still, I can’t just book off a month to file my receipts or finish my ‘to-do list’. I’ll stick to my 8am trips to the supermarket. I may not be getting my life together, but I’m preparing for the day ahead. For the moment, I’ll take it one day at a time.