Shopping is Stressful

I find it difficult to go shopping since the pandemic. I told someone about that today, and she agreed, saying it seemed that people didn't know how to act socially in public places, and have less courtesy ever since the pandemic. She's quite a bit younger than I am, so I was surprised to find that she also felt anxiety in the stores.

My daughter and I went to Trader Joe's the other day. I always let her or my husband push the cart if they shop with me because I don't have the patience for everyone running back and forth across the aisles and cutting in front. So many people were there, bobbing and weaving in and out of the produce section and across the aisle to the dairy. They had no qualms about reaching around me to get things. The chaos of the crowd movement, along with the rushing shopping carts, was overwhelming and gave me stress and anxiety.

The last time I went in there alone, people reached in front of me and approached me from the side or stood behind me without social distance. If I turned to step away, there was a body in my path. I became so frustrated that I pondered pushing the cart back to the door and leaving. Instead, I took a deep breath and went to a different section of the store, waited until people cleared out of the produce section, and then was able to look at the produce in a calm, quiet, slow manner, examining the dates on the packages without people reaching in front of me, crowding me, or locking me in with their cart.

Yesterday, when we left the store, I was exhausted, and we had a 30-minute drive home in separate vehicles. Then, when we got to my house, we had another 20-minute ride to another store we had planned earlier to visit. I told her she had to drive because I was too tired.

Years ago, as a young person, I was zipping in and out and throwing things in my cart. Working full-time with a busy schedule, I had to do everything fast. Now, I am the older person who may have been terrorized unknowingly by my younger self. Food for thought, for sure!

Costco chaos is another story. I have my husband run interference, pushing the cart and clearing the way. Rarely do I go to Costco alone. People don't watch where they are going, so I stay behind him so I won't be jostled and annoyed. Still, the same human behavior occurs as I mentioned above.

I have never liked crowds but used to enjoy shopping. When bored, I went to the mall. Since the pandemic, all the stores have been very empty, there is hardly any staff, and it could be dangerous. Thieves steal vehicles and drive them through the doors, usually after hours. Crazy or mean people want to knife or shoot people; catalytic converters are stolen from vehicles in parking lots. Basically, it is not enjoyable any longer and many agree with me. There isn't a fear of going shopping alone - it just isn't fun! It used to be relaxing and de-stressing and now it causes stress.

Home Goods is one store that is still fun to wander in. The beautiful items and friendly staff make the customers happy. The women and occasional men shopping there are all polite, even in tightly packed aisles where it is hard to maneuver the shopping cart. "I'm sorry, let me move over," and "Excuse me and thank you" are heard throughout the store. If one needs assistance, the staff are happy to find a price or load up something large for customers. A woman who had just entered the store recently said, "It is so pretty here. It makes me happy." I smiled because I felt the same way. There is no reason to hunt for specific items to make a stop at Home Goods. It puts people in a good mood to walk their aisles with beautifully curated displays.

How do you feel about shopping these days? Do you go to the store, or shop from home?

Copyright © 11/12/2024 by Andrea O. Corwin

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