Anyone else hate shopping after lockdown ?

[Veeveeoxox]

Euugh I went Christmas shopping today , the noise , the crowds it was sensory overload I feel exhausted and just want to lie down. Prior to COVID I loved it will this be a forever thing or will I be able tolerate it again ?

Anyone else now hate crowds ?

I have never been good in crowds but enjoyed a shopping trip at quieter times.

Now I tend to avoid it at all costs, sadly our local high streets have lost the most appealing shops too so it’s a self fulfilling cycle of not worth going.

Yes , I've been into my nearest town once since the first lockdown . I hated the crowds and the shops were full of awful clothes & stuff I didn't need . I used to love window shopping , it now seems a waste of time .

Me !
I only go when the kids are in school now.

I hate it now because there are no shops to buy clothes in anymore and I have to go through the tedious task of ordering everything online and then sending it back.

I used to love shopping but I don’t enjoy it now, for the same reasons as you OP. Sensory overload. I also find it depressing how many businesses have stopped trading.

I’ve never liked very crowded places but they freak me out now. I hope I get over this before I start going back to gigs.

I hate it also. Normally I love the Christmas markets but won't be going this year

I hate it I hate driving on roads because of the cars that are on them I hate shopping in our out of town shopping centre because of people I've embraced the online shopping revolution

Saving me petrol now it costs a fortune

I've never liked shopping so no difference for me there but lately the traffic is terrible. Everywhere I need to go it jammed with cars. I'm looking back with nostalgia to the days of spring 2020 when I drove to work all alone on the roads.

Same here, I used to love a mooch around the shops with a friend, now, I avoid shops like the plague.
Hate the crowds and the noise.

Yes I find shopping really stressful now unless it's really quiet in town. The whole mask thing is just weird and I just find myself forgetting everything I went for!

I used to love trundling around the beauty and perfume aisles but can't test anything so feels pointless.

My DM just thinks I've got really anxious about being in crowds since the pandemic but I think lots of us are feeling like this.

I’ve never much liked it but I really hate it now, yes. As others have said it is sensory overload. Just want to run away

Oh I love it! I love the hustle and bustle of a busy shopping street. I'm really sad our local shopping centre seems to have been really hit by the pandemic and so many empty shopfronts. I want lights, seasonal music, chilly weather and the sheer joy of being allowed to be physically part of it all.

Went into town (Central London) around 6 months ago and yes, hated it, got flustered, left. But all much more 'normal' there now - much less masky in shops etc and feels fine again, to me anyway. Mixture of time passing and less obvious covid signifiers I think.

Never wild about crowds either, but yes I notice I’m worse since lockdown - won’t even contemplate it tbh!

I used to love shopping,now I hate it.Cannot stand being around people,I have saved so much,it has made me realise how much money I spent on stuff I had no need of.

@maofteens

Oh I love it! I love the hustle and bustle of a busy shopping street. I'm really sad our local shopping centre seems to have been really hit by the pandemic and so many empty shopfronts. I want lights, seasonal music, chilly weather and the sheer joy of being allowed to be physically part of it all.

Me too. I popped to shops today and had a proper mooch around at the clothes etc and enjoyed it. Felt normal after a long period of abnormal

Well I still love shopping. Hate the whole online faff. I like to try on and buy there and then. Went shopping yesterday and it was so good to see all the Christmas stuff out. Buying food at the local market and stopping for coffee and cake. Have away out at Bicester planned with DD for end of month on my payday :-)

No. Our shopping centre has been decimated. No Debenhams, Laura Ashley, Zara or New Look. So many jobs lost.

Yes same. I regretted going into town last weekend. Didn't get everything because I just wanted to get away from everyone

I work in a busy train station retail shop. I cant tell you how anxious i feel when you see the mass waves of people coming through the station, especially friday and saturday. Its honestly overwhelming.
Plus people are so much ruder and short tempered than pre covid it makes work hell. So much so that after 20 years in retail ive handed in my notice!.

me as well, im in and out with a list these days for food
even going shopping for pleasure which i wasnt a massive fan of before lockdown isnt great - maybe its the mask mandate in scotland that partly puts me off

I love shopping, just hate crowds. Everywhere is so busy that it just becomes stressful.

Nicer that the shops are less crowded - bit frustrating that some haven't reopened fitting rooms - or in-store cafes

Nope, I love shopping, currently doing it right now. Feet up by a lit fire, dog curled up next to me, glass of red in hand.....

I'm the same! We have started doing a lot of walking and hiking since the pandemic but went shopping yesterday (which I used to love) and just wanted to be back in the forest walking in the peace and quiet!

Think maybe we have found a different way to live now, busy shopping days used to be the norm but now I'm saving my money, buying less junk and getting out in nature instead. Way happier.