Goin' mobile (within reason).

I bought a car a few months ago, so for the first time since 2009 I can get around the city (and suburbs and other states and countries and who know where else) in my own vehicle instead of relying on public transport, or another person’s car.

I hadn’t planned on buying a new car. The one time I could’ve really used one was during the pandemic, and goodness knows I am really hoping a situation like that doesn’t arise again in my lifetime.* But an opportunity from a long-trusted friend presented itself and I was able to purchase their used car for a fair price. I’ve never owned a new car in my life, but this is the closest to “new” I’ve owned thus far … and the car is already 14 years old.

I debated the purchase in my head, weighing all the pros and cons, and all the fears the responsibility of ownership of an item that requires a constant influx of money just to keep insured and full of gas, with mountains of potential dough going out the window should the vehicle require anything beyond those two things. But I got over my doubts, and the benefits really did outweigh my concerns, so I bought it.

I was worried it would impact my step streak, but I’m still walking as much as I ever had. Bt it has had one unexpected benefit I couldn’t have foreseen: I’ve completely stopped ordering food or groceries for delivery. Which means my snacking on impulse deliveries has dropped to almost zero, which has been pretty terrific for both my wallet and my waistline!**

Another unexpected outcome? I am loathe to lose a good parking space when I get one right on front of my house, which also reduces frivolous trips in favor of still getting most of my errands done on foot.

But as the weather gets nicer, I will happily lose those great parking spots on a regular basis in favor of driving out to different forest preserves and such to really widen the terrain of pretty hikes and fun excursions this summer! I've already starting knocking a few long-held to-visit spots on my list and am eager to pick up the pace.

Vroom vroom and zoom zoom indeed!

*Though the way things are going, I’m feeling less secure that will in fact happen. But I'm trying to keep it positive today, m'kay?

**In the “healthy, I feel better” sense. I am far less concerned with the vain reasons for reducing one’s waistlines these days. However, owning a car and discovering that Whole Foods carries all the "good" and "rare" Jeni's Ie Cream flavors has caused me to exhibit more self control in this area than I would have expected.