Efficiency vs. convenience. The yoga mat story.

Efficiency vs. convenience. 

Individuality vs. collectivity

Which one matters more to you?

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Let me tell you a story from my recent trip to Valencia! 

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I do yoga at home to improve my lower back pain.

I travel often and need a yoga mat in different cities/continents. 

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I can choose the “convenient” route.

Buy one at the new place, use it, then leave it behind.

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I can afford to pay for it, but I enjoy avoiding instances of  “single-use” purchases when it makes sense.

So, what if there is a better way? 

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I asked the shop owner if she would rent me a mat, and I would bring it back before leaving town. 

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Ultimately, I bought a yoga block from her and borrowed the mat, which is how I secretly imagined it would play out.

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When returning the mat, I gave her the yoga block I had purchased from her five days before as a gift for being kind and lending me her mat.

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Bringing it back at the specific time that worked for her before catching a train was not ideal.

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What was the lesson for me? 

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Throwing money at problems -which I’m a fan of- often hides a greater cost.
The missed chance for human connection.

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Of being part of an “inconvenient” collective rhythm, even if just for a fleeting moment.

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