Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

I was so sad after going to the supermarket today

169 replies

naughtycat · 02/04/2020 00:48

I left my flat for the first time in 2 weeks. I live alone in a 2nd floor flat. I was quite happy on my own here in solitude! . I only went out because I had to pick up a prescription from the chemist. I don't eat much so food isn't really an issue for me. I just thought it would be okay to pop in to Lidl to get a couple of things...non essential.....including wine, cider, crunchy nut cornflakes, mars bars, broccoli, eggs.

I was literally 'Marked' by another customer who was making a song and dance about the 2 metres thing. It was not possible to do it in Lidl today!! People were being careful ....but it was not possible.

This guy (with his latex gloves and his stupid flimsy amazon mask ) made me feel so shit about myself.

I've stayed home for 2 weeks with zero human interaction I've never felt so calm and relaxed. Go out for the first time and immediately humans piss me right off.

People keep saying that is humans are sociable animals and we are not designed for isolation.

Well f@@k me I must be some kind of alien or something. I've been happy as Larry on my own for 2 weeks...one trip to Lidl, having to interact with other humans and I feel so low and sad!!

Surely there are other solitary human creatures like me out there?!

OP posts:
MadameTuffington · 02/04/2020 06:31

Yes! I absolutely love my own company - I work in a very social job but when I am at home, I see a few close friends and family and that’s it. I totally understand your love of being alone - I believe if you are comfortable with your own company, it’s a positive thing - at the moment my 76 yr old Mother is going stir crazy because she can’t attend her regular piss-ups and get togethers - I find a lot of people vacuous, competitive and boring these days - I get enough time with people at work. I am still working full time and had a day off yesterday and was Facetimed by a few mates but kind of wish they’d left me in peace - awful isn’t it?

As for the gloved and masked drama queens out there giving you hassle in the supermarkets, let them get on with it - there is as much decent community led goodwill at the moment as there is twattery.

Enjoy your peaceful Nirvana and don’t feel i. the slightest bit bad about it xxxx

DressingGownofDoom · 02/04/2020 06:49

I find the supermarket stressful at the moment too. It's gone from a place where people greet each other, you bump into friends, smile at children, choose treats for your family. Into somewhere people cover their face and look away when you are near, stay as far away as possible, and eye up whatever you're buying and judge accordingly,

KatherineJaneway · 02/04/2020 06:51

suddenly you feel like you have to justify everything your buying!

So true but you have to ignore the basket police. The other day someone on here had a go at me for going out twice in one week, once for bread and once for milk. Apparently I could do without either.

But the best thing we can do is follow the rules and look after our own mental health so as not to add to the casualties.

So true.

izzywizzygood · 02/04/2020 06:52

The man in the supermarket sounds a plonker! Ignore him! It's impossible, despite all best intentions, to stay 2m clear at all times in the supermarkets. A lot of the isles are barely 2m wide.

@WorraLiberty worra a horrid response. What's bugging you? List of what you're eating and drinking please! Tap water and corn? I bet not...

You sound like you have this isolation in check OP! Good for you! Smile

Pulppixies · 02/04/2020 06:56

I buy chocolate, wine and wine gums every week. They are essential. If you weren’t meant to buy them, they’d not be on the shelf or cordoned off.

NotTired · 02/04/2020 07:04

I feel exactly the same OP. I'm still working but my days off I'm perfectly happy at home. Thinking about having to catch the train and what mistake I could make is taking over my life. DH does the shopping thankfully.

dogsdinnerlady · 02/04/2020 07:07

There is NO directive about what we can buy from any of the shops that remain open. People being critical of OP's shopping list are a just plain nasty.

SpeckledFrogsLog · 02/04/2020 07:08

There does seem to be genuine confusion about what is allowed under lockdown. I am continuing to do a normal weekly shop, buying the usual chocolates, biscuits and crisps. I then don’t need to go out again for the rest of the week. I figure that’s preferable to driving or walking to local shops every day to buy bits of shopping (which I know some people are doing). If anyone says anything to me they’ll get short shrift but luckily so far most people in the supermarkets seem more focused on their own shopping and getting out of there as quickly as possible!

Deathraystare · 02/04/2020 07:09

What is this pasta that people talk about??? I haven't seen any for ages! I thought I had some in my cupboard but no.

My shopping today (in 24 hour shop because I am on an early shift) would I sure be deemed non essential and certainly did not include any pork (which I don't eat- why pork and not another meat?), pasta -can't find that anywhere, no potatoes-they don't sell them. However I did get one of those John West Lunch on the go tuna for when I do a double shift on Saturday and Sunday, plus some custard creams also for the weekend and some apples.

DanielleHirondelle · 02/04/2020 07:10

I'm already dreading my next venture out for food shopping - I felt so relieved to be home after my last shop. I understand where you're coming from OP.

The 'basic necessities' is interesting - I too feel that once you're there, what is on sale can be bought, but that it's wrong to make extra trips just for 'extras' that you don't actually need. Basic essentials for me would not include, for example, bread, milk, biscuits or meat but I couldn't do without tea, coffee and spices!!

swishthecat · 02/04/2020 07:13

And in case you hadn't realised, we are in lockdown which means not shopping for non essential items

Worra Can you please provide Mumsnet and the rest of the nation with a definitive list of what we can and can't buy please? It would end all the arguments on here about what we are "allowed" to buy.

You see, the government hasn't provided a list so I stupidly assumed that if I go to a supermarket or the corner shop or the offie I can buy whatever happens to be on the shelves.

OP, it is weird shopping right now. I went to the supermarket for the first time for a couple of weeks yesterday and found it a really unsettling experience. We are all stressed and worried and are wary of each other.

Bluesheep8 · 02/04/2020 07:26

Why does lockdown mean " no non essential items" surely if you're going for essentials you can get some "non essential" while you're at it? My most recent basket contained:

Milk
Coffee
Cat food
Onions
Peppers
Wine

Some of the first few items may or may not be essential to others. Essential is essentially subjective, is it not?

Ginfordinner · 02/04/2020 07:29

I am concerned that you "forget" to eat, and have to make yourself eat once a day. That is not a healthy relationship with food.

SarahInAccounts · 02/04/2020 07:37

You see, the government hasn't provided a list so I stupidly assumed that if I go to a supermarket or the corner shop or the offie I can buy whatever happens to be on the shelves.

The government have said we can buy anything at all and that shops and supermarkets are allowed to sell what they normally sell.

Some ridiculous posts on MN on this subject.

Original poster
naughtycat · 02/04/2020 07:37

The posts on this thread have cheered me right up! And even made me giggle a bit (please can nobody log my giggles about non essential shopping this with 101 )

OP posts:
Deathraystare · 02/04/2020 07:38

This guy (with his latex gloves and his stupid flimsy amazon mask ) made me feel so shit about myself.

Well, you've been out of hte loop for a while and forgotten that some people can be absolute arseholes!

Deathraystare · 02/04/2020 07:41

Worra Can you please provide Mumsnet and the rest of the nation with a definitive list of what we can and can't buy please? It would end all the arguments on here about what we are "allowed" to buy.

Also - whatever is deemed essential is more than likely to run out anyway and are we to say that people cannot buy say Heat magazine at the same time that they buy spuds, milk or meat?

I do think it is wrong to just go and buy a paper as some people do but this is what they do everyday and are not likely to change!

daisypond · 02/04/2020 07:42

I am concerned that you "forget" to eat, and have to make yourself eat once a day. That is not a healthy relationship with food.
Not necessarily. It’s difficult to get food these days, especially basics. We can’t get an online slot and we don’t have a car. We now only eat once a day and we prioritise the children. Stress and anxiety also removes much desire to eat.

Deathraystare · 02/04/2020 07:43

naughtycat - enjoy your crunchy nut cornflakes - My mum (RIP) used to love them!

tootyfruitypickle · 02/04/2020 07:44

Totally agree OP. I stopped going out 3 weeks ago for very similar reasons. Very calm at home , I have anxiety and it’s pretty low while I’m locked down!! Although my street are aceSmile

Notredamn · 02/04/2020 07:50

It's not The Handmaid's Tale, you can buy what you want.
If it's on the shelf, help yourself imapoetandididntknowit

Pinkarsedfly · 02/04/2020 07:50

Can someone explain to me the problem with buying treats?

I know you’re not supposed to go out every day, but if you are doing your once-fortnightly shop, what difference does it make what you buy? Once you’re out, you’re out!

Fuck sake, we have to keep the economy going somehow, so surely a few luxuries in the trolley is getting more money going through the system than if everyone lived on a tin of beans (not in tomato sauce, that’s a luxury!) a week?

Do people think Covid19 is attracted to chocolate or something? hope not otherwise I’m fucked

The government have allowed off-licences to stay open haven’t they? What’s bloody essential about them when you can get booze in the supermarkets?

AuntieMarys · 02/04/2020 07:51

I did a massive shop yesterday in my very calm, organised, well stocked supermarket. First time in 8 days. Spent £200.
But that included £40 of stuff for a neighbour and knickers and pjs for dd who is staying with us clearly indefinitely.
I have enough for meals for 10 days but will need a top up of fruit/bread/milk.
We have crumpets, hot x buns and chocolate. Didn't need wine or gin as that has been delivered.
Shops are much better stocked since the panic buying of last week. Don't feel guilty for buying stuff

ACertainSupermarket · 02/04/2020 07:53

And in case you hadn't realised, we are in lockdown which means not shopping for non essential items

God I'm fed up of this one. Whatever is on sale in the shops, be it biscuits, rose gin or hair dye, you are allowed to buy.
BUT if you make a special trip out for it, that is a non-essential trip.

clarehhh · 02/04/2020 07:54

Think you chose wrong supermarket lots of praise locally for Waitrose, which is where I will go when I need stuff.That said my husband picked up click and collect Asda which was well organised.Sorry you had a bad experience.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread