When Inconveniences Can Make Your Life More Whole

Why I spend an hour every week to buy bread and other healthy hassles

Kaki Okumura
4 min readFeb 25, 2021

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Illustrations by Kaki Okumura

My mom had texted me, “Do you want me to pick up anything at the supermarket?”

We had no more bread at home, and I was thinking about going out and buying it myself. But if my mom picked it up for me, I wouldn’t have to leave the house today. It would be convenient.

I replied, “Thanks for checking in, but I don’t need anything!”

You see, my thumb had hovered over the ‘Send’ button for a brief moment — it would be so much easier if she had just picked something up at the grocery instead. I could just spend the rest of the day inside, I wouldn’t have to change out of my comfortable pajamas, and I would have more time online to work on my deadlined projects.

But a part of me knew that some inconveniences were better for me than not.

Why I make buying bread a hassle

The bakery is not necessarily a close walk, but I give myself that errand every week for it makes it routine to leave the house. I get walking, it clears my mind, and I end up feeling much more refreshed. I get to say hi to the bakery lady.

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Kaki Okumura

Born in Dallas, raised in New York and Tokyo. I care about helping others learn to live a better, healthier life. My site: www.kakikata.space 🌱