Can’t stand crowds and shopping anymore

[NorthAngel]

Hi,

I am 5 years post last period and went through a really bad year with symptoms of the menopause not long after my periods stopped (life changing symptoms).

Anyway, I am finding that these days I can’t stand being around loads of people and shopping. My teen daughter loves to shop but wants me to go (obviously to spend my money). I made the mistake of taking her to York yesterday and within half an hour I was desperate to escape and run to the countryside. I feel anxious when there are too many people around and really can’t stand it.
Has anyone else been effected like this? I’m 50 now.

Browsing and shopping in store for pleasure is rare now for me. I used to love it, never bought much but enjoyed looking at the window displays and mooching around etc. etc.

I am retired now, so can choose my moments. A good time to go is just before school pick up time. The shops are empty! Then they fill up again with the kids in tow...

I am not mad at anyone, it is usually a time constricted thing, if people are working or whatever they can only shop at certain times and weekends. I avoid the kiddie rush hour like the plague now and it largely works. I have it down to a fine art. Not everyone can do that, and if I were one of them these days I'd completely shop online.

The local Tesco is absolutely VAST. And even at busy times it seems very airy and empty, plenty of tills open and the staff are very helpful. I forgot my clubcard one day and there were offers on, the cashier used a card that she asked her colleague for (not sure if legit or not but I didn't care). So I got the discount but someone else got the points. LOL.

Shopping is a chore, and especially around now. But onwards and upwards.