Shopping anxiety

[PumpkinP]

I have to go out to the supermarket, I haven’t struggled getting online shopping and I could just stay in and continue with that but I am getting the fsm vouchers and my shopping is costing a fortune as they can’t be used online they are going to waste so I feel forced to go out to use them. The local Tesco’s is 1.5 miles away and means walking there and back, I’m going to take a suitcase but I also have a child in a pram so it’s going to be a pain getting home but there’s no way I’m getting on a bus which is what I would normally do. I just have a major anxiety about going to the supermarket, is it still really bad? I just feel like I’m going to catch it if I go, I haven’t been to the supermarket in ages so I’m not sure if things have calmed down. The walk there is also difficult to avoid people as I live in London so pretty much impossible to stay 2m away from people.

In my experience the shops haven't been that bad, although I can understand your anxiety. Would it make you feel better to get masks for you (and your dc if they are over 2)? you can get one here if it would. In my experience also, people do try and actively avoid others on the street, even if it means briefly walking on the road, and at the supermarkets they have markings on the floor showing where to stand so you are 2m apart.

all the best x

IME, yesterday at my nearest Sainsbury's supermarket was far worse than the previous week, despite the protective measures taken. The queues outside were far longer and it took 1/2 hour to even get in. One mother even let her child, aged about 4, cycle up and down between the two sides of the long queues, within about 1m of people on one side of the queue. People weren't keeping their distance when inside the store. I couldn't wait to get out of there.

M & S food hall was much better though. (I have to go there to buy a vulnerable relative's food). Only a couple in the queue and not too many allowed in the store at any one time.

I'd seriously consider going in the evening if you can. Around here the shops are deserted in the evenings but packed from the early mornings onwards - quite different to how it used to be.

yeah I can go in the evening if it’s usually quieter then. Still so anxious but I haven’t been for weeks and have anxiety anyway.

Personally love going shopping now if am honest not so many people in the shop at once no one is beside you trying to grab the same stuff etc honestly people might say it's wrong but i take my time and work my way up and down isles and it's so much calmer than before wouldn't bother me if stores stayed like this forever but this is Morrison's I shop at! X

It’s the catching the virus I’m worried about mostly, supermarket seems like a very likely place to get it.

I understand that am pregnant with only 4 weeks left to go but getting your mail etc and even just getting a online delivery is a risk as well just as much as in store I would say yes there's more people in store etc but then with delivery's or mail you also don't know who or how many has touched it before you!

I suppose when I’m in I can wash my hands instantly after touching things but outside I can’t and the long walk home I find it really hard to not touch my face (the joys of hay fever) and also can’t predict if someone will cough or sneeze. where I am it’s really hard to keep 2m distance and last time I was out not many people tried to. I’ve ordered some hand gel so I will feel better when that comes! I’ve been lucky to get deliveries pretty easily so going out seems unnecessary but it’s the only way to use the vouchers.

Which company are the fsm vouchers our school use Huggle which you can use online with Asda Tesco Sainsbury's

Eden red. You can’t use online, only Asda and I have Tesco’s vouchers, all my slots have been with Tesco’s and I assumed you could use them online until I got them, can’t get any with Asda slots round here anyway.

Ah that's a shame but definitely try and use them as it's a shame not to!