Published on 12, July, 2020
Shopping online is such a boon. When I can get things delivered that is. I've been battling with DHL for me to go and collect a pair of shoes that I bought at the beginning of November from them, but they only offer deliveries at non specific times, and I can't cope with that.
But leaving the house to go shopping I detest. All that noise, all that choice, all the offers, and colours, and people asking if you have store cards, and people trying to sell you things or asking you to fill in surveys... Give me a day spent indoors any time.
What is worse than shopping is shopping with my other half. This afternoon we set out to go to Sainsbury's to buy cereal, washing up liquid and something for dinner tonight. The snow is causing traffic chaos so we walk. No issue with that (though if anyone throws a snowball in my direction 'for a laugh' I'm turning round and going home).
Then on the way he goes into QD. I feel like I'm about to explode. Why change plans at the last minute like this? I can't cope, I feel like staging a sit-in protest. We start looking at Christmas decorations, even though we've got enough decorations to deck out Windsor Castle. 'I thought we were going to Sainsbury's' I complain. Just the look I get tells me to shut up or risk causing an argument. So I keep it to myself and my anxiety spikes.
On the way to Sainsbury's we stop in three more stores, by the end of which I'm feeling so confused I feel like crying. I start complaining and I get shouted at for being 'grumpy'.
No shopping is not for me.
The trick to successful shopping is to figure out what it is about the shopping experience that makes it so uncomfortable and avoid that environment.
Today, I went shopping twice with no unpleasantness. I knew from experience which supermarkets were overcrowded at this day/time and went to the quieter peaceful ones. Instead of Aldi with its fast moving and shoving culture I went next door to Fultons. Still bought what I needed with minimal queuing and relaxed atmosphere. Later I went past Waitrose. That was crowded!!!! And went to a smaller Asda. Again quiet and I used the self service machine leisurely.
I was also alone so nobody was forcing me to go where I didn't want to go
That's the case for me. A good solution can be to get the person you're shopping with to drop you at a more interesting location while they go do the bits that drive you spare.
Robert124 said:I was also alone so nobody was forcing me to go where I didn't want to go
I can only shop alone. I just need to concentrate on what I need - then get out!