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 haven’t been since March 2020. I’m only shopping online. Far too freaked out to shop on the High street.

I’m ordering from little independent places I’ve found.

Masks make me feel I’ve lost one of my senses. The “good” shops have all left our town

Monsoon, Next, phase 8, loads more I can’t think of.

I did go in September very early. None of the shops opened at 9am anymore. It was only drunks and druggies wandering the streets, I didn’t feel at all safe. So I got in the car and came home.

Not only do I agree not also need to add in the anti Covid people holding a demo in our town centre today. I put my mask on to make my views clear and yet several tried to force leaflets into my hands and one started shouting at me how I had to protect my children. Which I have by vaccinating them.

Just made what was already stressful into downright hideous, will not be going there again

I used to love browsing shops for clothes and make-up, and even food! Now I hate it. In and out as quickly as possible, buy tried and tested make-up on line. God, I miss it so much but I just can't stand people and crowds any more.

I haven't been since march 2020, maybe I'll rethink that stance if Scotland ever lifts the mask mandate, but tbh not a big fan of shopping in person anyway. I'll spend ages online shopping and had already been doing a lot of online shopping pre covid, this has probably just accelerated the process. My city centre doesn't even have a lot of the clothes shops I buy from so it's no real loss.

Slightly miss browsing in a real bookshop though,
but know I wouldn't enjoy that while masks are here so online it is.

It's horrible- even supermarkets are unbearable. At most I saw 2 people wearing masks today and those that weren't gave me dirty looks. Selfish twats.

I prefer to buy clothes in shops, so I can see what the fabrics like, how well made it is etc. No faffing with returns

And I miss department stores - I could get so much Christmas shopping done in one visit to one shop,

I find I'm shopping less - it's gone back to being what is was when I was growing up - a functional thing, with the odd special day to the Big City, not a routine leisure activity

Yes! I've joined Stitch Fix so I can get new clothes but not have to go or make any choices!

I'm the same, although I've always preferred to go shopping really early when they open as tend to not be as busy. Nothing enjoyable about being elbowed, queueing at the till for ages, and generally being around tonnes of people! I like the act of shopping itself though.

I'm finding the supermarket more difficult again as there are more people in masks than a couple of months ago. Masked faces make me feel anxious, back when everyone was wearing them I just avoided looking at faces but I've got out of the habit since. Then there's not knowing if you can just squeeze past someone who is blocking an aisle or if you might get abuse for it.

Totally agree. Just cannot get used to trying clothes on in changing rooms again either!

OP I felt like this even before lock down. Don't get me wrong I do like people but I also get complete sensory overload, noise, people all over, the music in the shops and it gets worse round Christmas. ALL shopping can all just about bring out a meltdown.
I love space, quiet and people in small numbers.
I feel your pain!

Yep hate it now. Used to love a good shopping day out.

All mine done online now. I don’t think I’ll be going back to the shops.

Very strange.

Absolutely hate it now. Used to shop every day and now I go maybe once every ten weeks. So busy, loud, overly bright and it's a minefield trying to dodge people coming too close

Online shopping is the way forward

l absolutely love shopping, just getting out and having a lovely browse, trying different stuff on, l have two sons who have never had any interest in shopping, so l love that l can now take as long as l want, and just look whereever l want.

I feel the same, I got all our clothes online now, or when I need to go to the supermarket. I used to like going to Primark for cheap baby clothes/accessories and to get basics like vests and socks, but I haven't been for well over a year now and I dread the thought!

Went into my city centre today (where I work midweek) and it was awful. Way too busy, couldn't walk down the street without people walking into us, massive queues... Utter hell

@Royalbloo

Yes! I've joined Stitch Fix so I can get new clothes but not have to go or make any choices!

What is it like?

Hated it before and hate it even more now. My idea of hell is being in a shopping centre on a Saturday afternoon with people who actually enjoy being there. But their idea if hell is probably running up and down hills in the wind and rain which I love, each to their own. And thank goodness for online shopping.

The Christmas markets have just started where I live, thats elevated crowds to a whole new level!

Christmas markets are full of overpriced imported tat

I went to town today and struggled in the crowds in some of the shops. It just seemed really busy and I felt like I was in everyone's way. I hated it but I will continue to go; it would be a huge shame for the high street to go under completely.

I went into town last week.
First time since the first lockdown. I felt that I was seeing the high street with a fresh eye.
What an awful run down little place.
Every other shop is either a sandwich shop, a coffee shop or takeaway food outlet.
Most of the little independents have given up.
Maybe with so many places closed down people have lost any pride in keeping the street tidy.
It made me sad to see it.
I even missed the chain stores that I used to think overpowered the place. BHS, Debenhams and others.
Never thought I’d say that.

Every time I go shopping for something I end up wishing I'd just bought it online. It's quicker and there's more choice.

I went into the city centre the other day with ds and dh, but it was just so depressing with boarded up shops and cheap shops everywhere, closing down sales etc. I couldn't even be bothered with the covered in market. Couldn't find a winter coat for ds and then had an anxiety attack and had to leave. Just hated every minute of it. Not going back. Hadn't visited it since the start of the pandemic anyway so can manage without.

We got him a nice coat in Tesco Extra.