Why do I find this all so overwhelming?

[Rainbowsprite88]

I get a weekly food shop delivered because quite frankly I can no longer cope with physically going to a supermarket (or any shop). The shops are full of people aimlessly wondering around thinking to themselves "I don't know what to buy'', stopping & starting with their trollies, dithering, on go slow. Its the ultimate frustration. I now only go to the shop to get what didn't arrive on the delivery, and I go armed with a v short sustinct list. I only get what I need and I'm straight out. Otherwise it's just too much. Shop with a scanner to avoid queing. Take my own bags to save money. I also feel the same about traffic.there no longer seems to be a rush hour as such, its now busy all the time, regardless of the time/day. I don't live in a big city.
Am I just a misery?

Growing up I had to be dragged around the nearest supermarket every Saturday morning, without fail, queuing took as long as the shop itself, hated it.

Grew up and realised there are alternatives such as shopping daily or fortnightly or a quieter time. Do what makes most sense and creates the least stress!

Nope! I do exactly the same but i’m sure for me it comes from the fact that the weekly food shop with my Mum as a kid use to be at least a 3 hour affair, wandering aimlessly up and down the aisles whilst she pondered on what to buy.

for me shopping is a military operation - in and out as quickly as possible!

I'm autistic and struggle in supermarkets as I find them incredibly overwhelming.

Bright lights, lots of changes in temperature, strangers, music, conversations, lots of different smells, things moving around all the time, having to navigate past lots of people and obstacles, random tannoy announcements - I hate it and only go when I have no other choice.

I live in rural Scotland and I actually quite enjoy shopping. I am one of those annoying people. Don’t take a list, I just buy whatever calls to me that day. And then I go to the cafe for lunch before pootling off home. Then I get home delivery for all the heavy stuff. Horses for courses.

Its when you see families out all shopping together i wonder why

It's strange but if I am going through a stressed or difficult time in my life its the supermarket shop that becomes the first thing that overwhelms me too. A few months ago I had to give up completely and just rely on deliveries, thankfully these days it doesn't bother me at all. It was like a panicky feeling for me and feeling unable to make a decision about anything. And the temp change too. I now always bring an extra layer and take it off at the counter when I'm loading up. You are definitely not alone OP

Surely you don’t need more of a rationale than ‘I just don’t find this bearable’?

I’m not autistic, just find it time consuming and other people irritate me so I’d rather not queue with my £200 shop. It takes 10 minutes to order online and get it brought to my door. So much easier.