Please tell me I'm not the only one who hasn't been to the supermarket

[Snuggles81]

So the last time I stepped foot in a supermarket was March 20th on my way home from work, before all the social distancing changes happened in stores.

Since then my DH has done all our shopping and I have now got myself all stressed and anxious about going to one.

It's not the risk of catching the virus that worries me (I'm still working in school, going out for social distance walks etc) but the change and rules on the supermarkets and some of the way people have be treated.

I suffer with anxiety anyway and always overthink new situations.

I've now made going to the supermarket this big issue in my head.

Am I the only one feeling this way? Such a silly thing to worry about but the thought of going shopping of any kind worries me.

[VoyageInTheDark]

I haven't been in a supermarket either. DH does the shopping as I can't drive. I've been in smaller shops a couple of times and found it stressful as I'mtrying not to get the rules wrong and then some people just get right in your space with no regard for social distancing. I miss being able to casually browse, especially in garden centres and non-essential shops

[TheDrsDocMartens]

I’ve been out once. DH or Dd2 go to get bread or milk if we are desperate. Everything is delivered.
I’m enjoying not shopping or driving or going near lots of people. Can’t stand supermarkets or queuing normally so at the moment they sound like hell to me.
We’ve got a garden and have lots of local shops delivering so easy to not Need to go out.

[Happymum12345]

I go at night. It’s much calmer. You will be ok & after the first time, you’ll know what to expect. Personally, I will never go to Asda again. Sainsbury’s, coop & m & s are much better.

[ILikeyourHairyHands]

I've been to Waitrose a couple of times a week since the beginning and it's absolutely fine. Never queued more than 10 mins to get in, and once you're in it's completely normal except for markings on the floor when queueing for the till. No one-way system and you can walk around as you usually would. Ours is a mid-sized store and allows 30 people in at a time. It's very relaxed, don't worry OP, you'll be fine, it's a low-stess experience.

[GuiltyBark]

I've not been in a big supermarket only local shop. I did go to homebase last week and it was okay, a bit weird with the arrows and one way system which they'd done in a way that didn't make sense.

I was like you about big shops and also got myself in a state about driving again. Just do small things to increase your confidence, go a little further, maybe try a Tesco metro or small co op first. I understand what you mean though it's difficult to behave normally and not be anxious.

[Megan2018]

I’ve not been in any shop since 15 March.

We have Ocado deliveries and DH has done any too up shops. Everything else has been online. We have a baby and it’s just not a pleasant experience taking her at the best of times so I can’t see the point.

I am anxious about it though, it would take a desperate need to get me in there I think!

[emmathedilemma]

I haven’t been either. Only shops I’ve been in are the local chemist and the little supermarket thing attached to the petrol station for a couple of essentials like an ice cream! I’ve done a weekly click & collect shop, mainly because I can’t be bothered standing in a queue outside and then following arrows round the shop, I’m not that organised a shopper!

[Oly4]

Just my experience but Waitrose and M&S have perfected the social distance shopping to a T if you ask me. I feel safer in those shops than anywhere. Pricey though

[lazylinguist]

I've been to the supermarket (Aldi) every week and it's totally fine. Only ever a few people in front of me queuing to get in. Totally normal inside the supermarket except for the fact that there are far fewer people in there at a time. That's it. Nothing complicated, difficult or stressful about the actual process at all.

[buttersidedown]

I didn’t go for the first 3 weeks or so, and DH did all the shopping, which is unheard of! However, I decided that it was something I needed to experience, and I know this sounds silly, but I would feel a bit weird to tell my friends I didn’t experience a socially distanced supermarket shop.
I go once every 2 or 3 weeks, and don’t enjoy it, but I go not long before closing and it’s quiet and fairly easy. I do get nervous though.

[pinkpixie83]

I made my first trip today for 10 weeks. Couldn't do a full shop as a single parent, due to the time it takes.
But was a pleasant experience for the top up shop I needed and no where near as bad as I'd worked it up into in my head.

[ssd]

You sound like you are doing well op.
Good luck when you do go.

And thanks for this thread, I thought I was the only one feeling like this.

[ragged]

my DH also did all the shpping for weeks!
Eventually teen DS wanted sweets, so we started popping in.

DH always goes in the mornings when there are long Qs, waited 15 minutes yesterday.

DS & I go up 2x/week in the last 2 hrs before closing & barely anyone is there. We never have to wait.

We cannot persuade daft DH to go a less busy time.

I dread going slightly bc every shop has weird rules & signs of disease control, but I still go if I want to. I'm not afraid of the virus, I just don't want shopping to be a tense experience.

[Bargebill19]

Another one who hasn’t been in a shop since early March - other than two trips to our tiny local shop for milk. DH does it once a week.
The idea of queuing to get in just makes me me want to scream - I’m a get in, shop, get out as quickly as possible. I can’t stand being around lots of people - queues and busy places are places of intense stress for me no matter how quiet and peaceful they are.

[Spannwr1971]

I think your anxieties are perfectly reasonable, given the changes we've had. I found it okay though. The queues are well spaced out, and once you're in the shop, there are actually less people allowed in at once, so it's quite nice. I've also found people are being nicer, and friendlier with each other. Give it a go, you can always walk out if you feel too anxious.

[NanooCov]

I was the same up until yesterday. DH has been doing all the shops. I took the plunge and went to our local little waitrose. It was fine. Security guard on the door was lovely and friendly. Most people sticking with the rules apart from one knob. The only thing that confused me was when the cashier handed my receipt to me and I had to stretch towards him to get it. Don't know why I even took it to be honest as it just went straight in the bin. Was totally fine though. Had let it get to be a big thing in my head but glad to have done it.

[Muffinandcake123]

I haven't been to the shops / supermarkets since Feb.. ://

[Roomba]

I've had to go every week or so - I have no car so can only buy as much as I can pull in my trolley and carry at the same time. Even if I could get online delivery (which I can't), I only have a small fridge and freezer (and tiny kitchen), so can't stock up on loads of fresh stuff at once. I have a bedroom stacked with tins, jars and packets so I don't have to go out more often! I have had to take DS2 as I'm a single parent. He knows the rules (mask on, don't touch your face, stay 2m apart, don't touch anything and wash hands after) and amazingly for a hyper 7 year old he has stuck to them (unlike many adults I've witnessed lately!).

It's mostly been fine, it will probably be better than you're anticipating. I would do your research and ask people about your local supermarkets though, as they seem to differ widely in their approaches in each area. I've seen people on MN praise one chain for only allowing a set number in, arrows on floor, constant cleaning etc. Then others saying the opposite about the same chain but in a different area. Where I am, Sainsburys is probably safest, but I'd have to queue with DS in the sun for 3 hours to get in. Lidl is generally good, the one time I went to Aldi it was an absolute free for all and a fight started over a guy getting too close to people and being offended when they asked him to move back. Others have said their Aldi is fine. Find out when it is likely to be quietest and go then.

[SudokuBook]

I wish more people stayed at home to be honest. Hopefully this is something that will persist. Just to warn you.. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS OUT THERE.. A DEADLY VIRUS IS ON THE LOOSE. Protect yourself and your family, stay at home.. do it for the key workers.. do it for the NHS.. do it to teach Cummings a lesson... do it for whatever you hold dear... In fact, you are literally exposing your husband to DEATH by sending him out to do your groceries... keep him indoors..cherish the people you love... yes, stay indoors. Don't be fooled by all these people saying it's safe out there. They're literally trying to murder you by saying that.
Stay safe.

Are you on glue?

[Bebbanburger]

I haven't and I work in one. Currently off on full pay because my husband is on the shielding list. They have been brilliant but my time is up. I have to go back in two weeks and I am really scared.

[RaeCJ82]

I haven't been to a supermarket since the 17th March and that was a quick dash in for something. I've done my main, weekly shop online for years and booked quite a few slots when it all started kicking off and have managed to get one weekly since.

[MrsCountryGirlTelford]

This sounds like me op. My anxiety is so bad that I’m now on Valium. My first trip to a supermarket was to pick up my Valium prescription - and I did it with no problems.

Take each day at a time. Do you have pets? Pets at Home is relatively quiet.

Start with the less popular shops and gradually work up to a large supermarket.

Wishing you all the best. You aren’t alone x

[Putapeonyinyourpocket]

I'm so glad I've read this thread, I've been online shopping since lock down and my husband goes to our butchers. Past few weeks there's been issues with my delivery and food with only one day remaining on the date.
I've plucked up the courage to go, got a mask and I've ordered some gloves as my hands are split from the over washing.
It's definitely the worry of getting it wrong, going down the aisle the wrong way.
I plan to go in the evening and use scan and shop, I went to my local garden center this week too as a practice run. Needed to practice breathing as I did become a little over whelmed, but my husband returns to work Monday so I really need my independence back.

[SudokuBook]

It is much quieter when I go in the evenings when I go.

As for going down an aisle the wrong way seriously what’s the worst that can happen? Some random you’ll never see again will scowl at you? You aren’t going to be taken out and shot.

I've plucked up the courage to go, got a mask and I've ordered some gloves as my hands are split from the over washing.

The advise is not to wear gloves. If you’re at home all the time why have you been over washing your hands?

I really hope some of you here get the help you need with your anxiety it sounds totally crippling. This is going to the shops for goodness sake it’s a very mundane experience. Is it different from before - yes - is it worse - not really, you just need to be a bit more mindful

[daisybrown37]

I felt the same before my first trip, it was the fear of a new process to follow. It was very clearly marked and was fine and actually quite pleasant as there were less people in the store. Try a quiet time if you can - during the week and maybe around 10ish. Once I did it once I was less fearful about going again.