Is it really imperative that business is open 24/7? I wonder …

In the Northeast, we recently enjoyed (one perspective) a record hitting blizzard that deposited a “boatload” of snow on the ground.  Pre-storm, as the metric predictions came close to mirroring the devastating and infamous “Blizzard of 78’, Boston was on high alert and taking every precaution to prevent the outcome from several decades ago. Basically, the state was shut down. No one was allowed on the roads for 24 hours starting with Friday early afternoon traffic. Most schools and many offices were closed Friday anyways. But, the intention of this action was to effectively and efficiently, clear the roads, keep residents safe, and get the state up and running as quick as possible.

The outcome of this intention was threefold: we saved money, we saved lives, and we created new opportunities. First, because we were able to directly address the snow removal without any obstacles (autos on the road), our machines efficiently cleared the roads and highways of snow.  We saved money by focusing on the storm situation rather than multiple issues requiring prolonged use of expensive machinery. Second, because we were not on the dangerous roads, but home safe and warm, we were not subject to dangerous travel accidents and potential deaths. Finally, in our stay at home mode, without outside distractions, we were “forced” to experiment with new ways of being home. Perhaps playing board games, leisurely cooking interesting food, engaging in lively, lengthier conversation or doing nothing filled your indoor quarantine.

It is the latter of the three outcomes that peaks my interest most. Do we really need services and stores open 24/7? How inconvenient and dismantling is it to be without unlimited choices all of the time? Are you able to get by for a full day without a restaurant, grocery store, movie theatre or some other 21st century convenience? How would your life change with one day – really off? I wonder…