Have you ever thought about what happens after you unload your groceries? Do you return the shopping cart to its proper place or leave it in the parking lot? This simple decision is the essence of the Shopping Cart Theory, a concept that examines personal responsibility, ethics, and how we engage with the world when no one is watching.
The theory suggests that returning the cart reflects a sense of accountability and care for others, while leaving it behind might show a lack of consideration. It’s a low-stakes, everyday choice—but one that says a lot about our relationship with responsibility, empathy, and community.
This idea resonates deeply with my Emotional Baggage Cart series. Much like the shopping cart, the baggage we carry is often left unattended. Emotional wounds, microaggressions, and societal pressures pile up, and we’re rarely given the tools—or the time—to sort through them. But what happens when we take responsibility for that baggage? When we pause, reflect, and decide what to carry forward and what to leave behind?
In creating these sculptures, I’m exploring how we navigate the invisible loads we carry. Each Emotional Baggage Cart is layered with materials like zip ties, paracord, and vintage fabrics—metaphors for the weight of trauma, resilience, and healing. They’re a reminder that, much like returning a shopping cart, taking the time to confront our emotional baggage requires effort but ultimately makes the world a better place for ourselves and those around us.
Just as the Shopping Cart Theory invites us to consider our small, everyday actions, my Emotional Baggage Cart series asks us to reflect on our inner world. What are we carrying? What do we need to release? And how can our choices—whether in a parking lot or in life—help foster greater empathy and accountability?
By turning responsibility into ritual and art into reflection, we can lighten our loads, honor our stories, and contribute to a more connected, considerate world. After all, it’s not just about the cart—it’s about the journey.
