Transformative Impact: How a Day of Bento Packing Altered My Spending Habits
Some time ago, I found myself caught up in impulsive or stress buying. While it didn’t spiral out of control, I frequently added items to my shopping cart. Despite hesitating before checking out, if the cost was below a certain threshold, I usually went ahead with the purchase. As I monitored my monthly spending habits, I noticed an increasing expenditure on food. Formerly, I prepared my meals daily, but due to current circumstances, I’ve resorted to visiting cafes or restaurants to satisfy my cravings under the guise of ‘this meal will make me feel better.’ The regret usually sets in when the bills arrive.
In an effort to address this issue, I decided to take up a couple of part-time jobs on the weekends. My latest venture involves working as a food packer in a central kitchen that prepares bento sets outsourced to places like hospitals and supermarkets. My role revolves around packing sauces and instant meal kits. While this task was initially automated, the recent breakdown of the machines necessitated outsourcing some manual labor to alleviate the burden. The job itself is quite routine — labeling packing bags, manually filling them using a hot tube or a large jug, and ensuring the weight matches the label. Another team takes care of sealing the packages. I found myself repeating these tasks for six hours straight, with only a 30-minute break and quick toilet/water breaks. This experience has been an eye-opener for me, especially given that some of my colleagues, aged between 40 and 65, have worked there for 30 years.
As my shift concluded, I struggled to navigate the industrial area in the darkness, feeling sores all over my body from the constant scooping, pouring, and bending. Despite the physical toll, I treated myself to a larger meal that night, giving myself a pat on the back. However, I also saved a couple more bucks as I hesitated to check out the shopping cart that I initially planned to. While I intended to clear my shopping cart due to an expiring voucher, the thought of forfeiting a day’s work made me hesitate, and I ultimately went to sleep without completing the purchase. Perhaps, I’ll continue to use this experience as a periodic reminder and find value in seeing things from a different perspective.
