I'm feeling 'Amazon guilt'

Hi there.

How are you? Pause.

Thought I’d start off in a very simple way and allow you to think, how actually are you? Physically, mentally, emotionally, “generally”.

The end of the year and Christmas is rising on the horizon and I’ve certainly been getting in the festive spirit, whatever that means. I’ve got 2 Christmas Concerts at school in the next couple of days which are likely to be good fun and utterly exhausting in equal measure. I drew up a Christmas Card list, using my ones from the last 2 years as a base. I thought this last year and I felt it again - observing the changes between lists is hugely fascinating and insightful. You can see how your relationships and friendships have changed.

The highlight of the week will have to be my mock exams results I got back this week, in which I’ve got a Grade 9 (A* for those unaware of the GCSE system) in all my subjects. Congratulations to all my friends reading this and anyone else on their grades; there have been some fantastic grades achieved.

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It’s my mum’s birthday on Tuesday (Dec 14) and because I am a good son, I’ve been looking up some gifts. Fear not, I’m not asking you for gift ideas.

But, whether it was that, a 1L plastic water bottle I need for school or a pair of headphones, I automatically found myself reaching for Amazon. It’s become the norm in our household these days, apart from any large purchases. And I’m sure you also have increased your Amazon shopping, especially in the last couple of years.

However, as I search for the item I want (I’ll reveal the gifts next time), I feel a tinge of guilt and immorality as I scroll past John Lewis, eBay etc.

I’m not sure if it comes from my natural instincts to want to help people but I just feel bad to be overlooking these other companies. At the end of the day, Amazon is earning millions every single day as more and more people desert these companies, leaving them (at least in my mind) struggling.

I’ve also had this thought as I walk down my school’s road and see all the small restaurants and takeaways. I feel a sense of despair at the lack of customers rushing in, in comparison to the masses gathering at McDonald’s. For example, there is a small architectural design business on my school road that always looks empty. I’ve never, ever seen someone walk through their door.

It sometimes makes me feel afraid of where our world is heading. An international economy characterised by dominating large firms and no hope for entrepreneurial start-ups to ‘make it’ in the real world. Scary thought.*

I am, however, brightened every time I see a small company in the news or something of the sort. It gives me the optimism that the opportunity is still there and there is the chance for creativity, innovation and hard work to be rewarded.

There, it’s a lot more clearer ‘on paper’, to see what my thought pattern actually is. What do you think? Please do email me back, I promise a reply.

If you are interested in this, I remember spotting this video by Matt D’Avella on a similar topic.

*my specific unique viewpoint of the world definitely influences this whole notion of mild elitism. My mum says that there are people who help and use these businesses. I just don’t see them. And there is definitely merit in that.

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Book of the week 📖

I actually borrowed Fermat’s Last Theorem, written by Simon Singh and read a little bit of that. I aim to finish 2 more books before the end of the year

Podcast of the week🎙️

Hidden Brain: Both Things Can Be True

This podcast has been stuck on my bookmarks for a while. However, I’m so glad I got round to listening to it this week. A captivating story, conveyed with some psychology mixed in.

To kick you off, what do you see here?

2 people or a vase? 😵

Article of the week📰

Euros top Google's year in search in the UK

Massively insightful into what we humans have been wondering about this year.

Quote of the week💬

Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live. - Jim Rohn

Have a great week!

Adi 😊