Note: This post is part of an ongoing blog series called #costamesa365 where the author is striving to shop only* in her city of Costa Mesa, for a year.
We’re a dozen days into the #costamesa365 challenge – an entire year where I’m trying to spend money only in Costa Mesa – and the ripple effects are already playing throughout my life.
I’m unexpectedly saving money on gas and just on shopping in general. I’m discovering new foods and better ways to move through discomfort. Sure I’ve had a setback or two, made some mistakes, but I’m learning and growing – a lot!
One of the best things to have happened since starting this challenge is seeing how my choice is giving others pause in their purchases, too. I see it in friends and in messages from our readers. Even my own little family – initially skeptical about #costamesa365 – is starting to inch more in that direction.
Why just the other day, my eldest daughter declared, “I totally love this Costa Mesa 365 thing!”
(Of course, she said it with crumbs in her mouth, as I had just sprung for a whole box of Sidecar Doughnuts. But I’m quite sure she was pure of heart in her enthusiasm and the donuts had absolutely nothing to do with it.)
The husband has jumped on the Costa Mesa bandwagon, full force, and is now modifying his shopping habits, too. Yay! He works as a consultant, which means meetings, lunches and social engagements are just part of his every day. (That’s a lot of chances to throw some love Costa Mesa’s way.)
Recently, he made plans for an evening out with a work partner / client / friend – and the wives – and I suggested we do Tavern + Bowl at The Triangle.
As an introvert, I prefer outings to be around some sort of activity. (Because hours of small talk and face time quickly wear me out.) I like bowling socially because it’s fun, competitive in a friendly way, and no one can take themselves too seriously walking around in the equivalent of pleather clown shoes.
Tavern + Bowl is also great because it’s all the fun of bowling that you remember as a kid, but with a more grown-up, palate-pleasing menu than what you typically get at the alley.
We had a blast knocking down pins and knocking back appetizers. It was a great night out!
But there, beneath the usual fun-time vibes, I could feel something else. Something more.
The added sense of happiness – strike that – serenity that comes from making mindful choices with a purpose. ♥
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*We will always start by shopping / looking in Costa Mesa, first. But if we really need something and an alternative is nowhere to be found in Costa Mesa, we’ll stray. Also, as parents, we’ve decided that certain kid-related things (mainly educational) will need to remain baked in.
