There’s something about a small town that makes you slow down a little.

This morning, I took a drive to the Village of Clinton. No real agenda. No rushing. Just breakfast, a little shopping, a visit with a friend, and some time to myself.

And honestly? I loved it.

I started my morning at The Lucky Dog Bistro, a really pretty little spot with beautiful woodwork and a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. It’s also pet-friendly, which I loved. The service was wonderful, and it was the kind of place where you don’t feel like you need to hurry through breakfast and get on with your day.

I ordered The Morning After, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, sourdough toast and home fries. Breakfast itself was simple, but sometimes the food isn’t the entire experience. I enjoyed sitting there, taking in the atmosphere and starting my morning somewhere different.

After breakfast, I wandered through some of the local shops.

Of course, I managed to find my way into Lucianna’s Boutique, where I bought a few Christmas gifts.

Yes. Christmas gifts.

In August.

I know. 😂

But every year I tell myself I’m going to start earlier instead of waiting until the holidays are right on top of me, so maybe this year I’m actually going to listen to myself.

I also stopped at Almost Local, which was such a fun shop to browse. There were candles, pieces from local artists, little gifts and trinkets, and all sorts of things you don’t necessarily find in the big stores. Those are the shops I love because you never really know what you’re going to find when you walk through the door.

And that got me thinking about something.

We hear “shop local” all the time, but it’s easy to forget what that actually means.

When we spend money at a small local business, we’re supporting someone’s idea, someone’s livelihood and, ultimately, our own community. Even stopping in, looking around, telling someone about a place you discovered, or sharing their business on social media can make a difference.

So maybe this week is the perfect excuse to visit a local shop you’ve never been in before, grab breakfast or coffee somewhere different, or pick up a gift from a small business instead of automatically heading to a big-box store.

But there was another part of today that I enjoyed just as much.

I went by myself.

I’ve learned that I really enjoy doing things alone sometimes.

There is something freeing about getting in the car and going wherever you feel like going. You don’t have to ask anyone what they want to do next. You don’t have to worry about whether someone else is bored, ready to leave, or wants to go somewhere different.

You just…go.

You wander.

You stop when something catches your eye.

You sit a little longer if you feel like it.

Being alone and being lonely are two very different things.

Sometimes spending a few hours by yourself is exactly what you need to remember how much you actually enjoy your own company.

Today wasn’t anything extravagant. It was breakfast in a little village, a few local shops, a couple of Christmas presents ridiculously early, and a Saturday morning spent mostly on my own.

Simple.

And maybe that’s exactly why I enjoyed it so much.

Life, observed honestly.