Something I wrote on another thread:
"Shopping. Not my favourite thing in the world.
Early morning is the best time, as it's quieter for me. I get in the car, armed with a variety of recycled carrier bags, and drive to my local huge supermarket (whose name shall be nameless).
Into the supermarket, and into a wall of noise. Announcements, fridges whirring, people chattering, tills beeping. The smells hit me as well - bakery, fish, meat, veg, fruit, new clothing. And the sights, too: Everything is stacked high with colours, patterns, flashing lights. And there's a cleaning machine somewhere, beeping noisily. I'm rather scared of them, to be honest...Then there's the people. Loads of them. And I probably know loads of them, too, since I've lived here for years, but I can't recognise who they are.
Sometimes people say hello, so I use what I'd call 'standard conversation bits' to get through the situation, e.g. "Oh hello, how are you?" I can't go down the aisle for pasta as there's a flickering light over it, so that's something I'll have to do without this week.
Picking out one choice from hundreds is so hard - I can't see the things fast enough, or concentrate against the background of sensory overload. I tend to get the same things every time. Shopping trolley filled, I go to the checkouts. Which one?? Oh no, more choices...I pick one. The man in front of me has left some things on the end of the conveyor stand...Oh no, what shall I do? Does he want them put onto the conveyer when there's room? Is it rude to move someone else's things? I'm completely transfixed by the problem. Daren't speak to him - haven't planned what to say. Phew...he's moved them. Packing is not something I'm good at, as I can't co-ordinate what I'm doing or go fast. And asking for help is scarier because the person helping always wants to chat to me, and I don't know what they've packed where, and at this stage I am thoroughly 'out of spoons'. I cope, though I wish I'd taken along bags that are all the same shape, as I can't calculate what goes in which one.
Paying: Arrghh! I hate paying. I either drop the money, or put the card in the wrong way. And I have to remember all the social stuff too - the thank yous and the 'no cash back for me thanks' stuff, whilst smiling. The smiling is important. Well, it is for me.
Now to get back to the car. I get to the exit, and the alarm goes off. Someone please just put me out of my misery right now... I've had enough. I want to go home
There are security guards striding towards me, and I suspect the silly checkout person has left the bloomin tag on the bra I've bought. Yup, she has. Security guard wants the receipt. Here we go with another 'amber drops her purse contents everywhere' moment. SO many people now staring at me. I want to hide, or run, but of course you can't do that if you're in a shop with alarms going off as they'd think you were a criminal. It's sorted out. He's a nice security guard. The alarm stops. I'm shaking now. I need to go home, but I've still got to get back to the car, and put the shopping in it, and drive home and unpack it and etc. It takes me a long time to recover from shopping if something unexpected happens.
Apparently some people like shopping. I'm amazed. Next time I see a toddler screaming in the aisles, I'm tempted to join in."
The suggestions for coping tips that have already been given are good ones.