topic Re: Do You Miss Shopping, Going to Grocery Stores, Etc.? in Community Chat

Do You Miss Shopping, Going to Grocery Stores, Etc.?

Sooner — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 16:41:56 GMT

I have discovered I am not a shopper. I am a buyer.

I really dislike shopping! I have stopped shopping for clothes in stores many years ago--order from Talbots is too easy when I need something. I would go to the store early in spring and stock up for the spring vacation and summer, the the rest has been online for years.

I have not missed Home Goods or T.J. Maxx which is a big surprise, and haven't really missed the grocery stores either, finding pickup to be a great alternative.

I am happier listening to books or reading, cleaning and rearranging the house and closets, at little cooking, going out to mail packages in drop boxes, etc.

I miss eating out but not as much as I thought and what we make is better. Surprise! And a lot healthier.

This is really changed my perspective on life, what is important, and what I enjoy doing. And I am not dealing with new things I don't need now. Which has been great too!

I really miss travel, but glad I went while I could!

Re: Do You Miss Shopping, Going to Grocery Stores, Etc.?

kaydee50 — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 16:45:37 GMT

We greatly miss traveling. And going to museums and concerts. And I miss going to Macy's, Marshall's, etc. without all the hassles that going to a store these days entails.

We were eating in restaurants until this past Friday when a lock down on eat in restaurants was once more enforced. Hopefully, it will not last too long. One of our pleasures that was still available to us.

Re: Do You Miss Shopping, Going to Grocery Stores, Etc.?

SXMGirl — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 16:49:37 GMT

@Sooner I do not miss anything about shopping. I never go to the mall, only go to the grocery about once every two weeks or less, and just enjoy being home, like I did before the pandemic. What I do miss is my art class for the social aspect since I am not very good, and I miss going to lunch every week with the girls. When the weather was nicer, we met twice at a waterfront restaurant with outside dining, and I went to the same place with a long-time friend last week. I still go to the Y, but it is almost empty and they have safeguards in place, including a new HVAC air circulation system. Even though my life has really not changed, I will be glad whenever this is over.

Re: Do You Miss Shopping, Going to Grocery Stores, Etc.?

spiderw — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 16:51:46 GMT

I always enjoyed being out and about, going to my favorite stores and being among people. However, as the virus has changed that I have reduced my outings to supermarkets, Barnes and Noble, Hallmark stores and maybe Target. I loved going to Pier One but now that it has closed, it is one less favorite.

I love to read and am trying to read the many books I have. I do things around the house and keep in touch with family and friends by phone. I miss socializing , that has always been a part of my life. However, I do make the best of it all and hope for positive change soon.

Re: Do You Miss Shopping, Going to Grocery Stores, Etc.?

stevieb — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 16:52:48 GMT

I miss having more options and being able to feel more comfortable exercising them as I choose...

Re: Do You Miss Shopping, Going to Grocery Stores, Etc.?

LindaSal — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 16:52:52 GMT

I miss traveling too. We had many plans this year and of course that has all changed.

I still like to shop but at this point I have to be in a shopping/browsing mood which hasn't come over me in quite sometime. Even pre covid, before we downsized we lived way out in the woods and even grocery shopping was an adventure as everything was quite a drive. I guess I am somewhat thankful for those years as it prepared me for the way we live now.....who knew? (on line shopping) Oh yes and I love going out to eat, another lost love, but I do admit I like cooking, especially in the winter.

Re: Do You Miss Shopping, Going to Grocery Stores, Etc.?

proudlyfromNJ — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 16:57:18 GMT

No. I was never a shopper and for years now it is done online. I hate grocery shopping. I am spoiled now because my husband does it. He has to be busy every minute of the day. I do like Home Goods, etc as I enjoy that stuff more than clothes. However, the last thing I need is more stuff in my home. We enjoy dining out and have been doing that. Also traveled twice. No planes.

Re: Do You Miss Shopping, Going to Grocery Stores, Etc.?

SeaMaiden — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 16:56:49 GMT

Honestly, I am only missing unnecessary shopping that I use to that was just for fun. I use to go out and just window shop... buy unnecessary things...

now I just go to the grocery store when I need to go. Less trips.... less spending. I order more things online now. Spending much less money.

So the question is DO I MISS SHOPPING??.... I have to say the only thing I miss is my monthly trips to goodwill to just look around that I use to do.... I miss it, but, really never needed to go anyway and bring more junk home! So really it is a good thing!

Re: Do You Miss Shopping, Going to Grocery Stores, Etc.?

willdob3 — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 16:59:27 GMT

@Sooner

No. I don’t miss going into stores and, even if the pandemic were to magically disappear, I have no plans to start shopping in stores again. Ever. Shopping online and doing grocery pickups or having things delivered saves me so much time! No impulse buying at the grocery store either.

Re: Do You Miss Shopping, Going to Grocery Stores, Etc.?

MomCat — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 17:04:29 GMT

I'm a buyer too! I don't go shopping unless I need something, and usually have a list. With that said, I haven't stopped going to the grocery store, including Walmart. Since there aren't many other places to go, these trips are pretty routine now. I'm trying to go to a restaurant every so often, but I'm not good at planning that. Probably because I have so much food at home. Being at home more made me stop buying clothes and home items. I'd rather spend time getting rid of all this stuff I no longer need. I sure don't want to bring in more. Cosmetics and hair products are either purchased at Walmart, or online. Ebay and Amazon have very competitive pricing.

Re: Do You Miss Shopping, Going to Grocery Stores, Etc.?

gidgetgh — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 17:06:57 GMT

I miss everything. All of it.

Re: Do You Miss Shopping, Going to Grocery Stores, Etc.?

FiddleDeeDee — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 17:08:35 GMT

Yes. Not so much for the need to spend but for the need to see. I love people watching, I enjoy looking at what is new and up-coming, getting ideas for decorating or cooking, etc. Mindless escape that cost nothing.

Now? The rare times I go anywhere, I'm filled with stress/concern.

Re: Do You Miss Shopping, Going to Grocery Stores, Etc.?

deepwaterdotter — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 17:10:09 GMT

I've never viewed shopping as anything but a chore. I grocery shop online and have it loaded into my trunk in the parking lot. Non-grocery items are purchased online and delivered to my home. Our favorite local Mexican restaurant has permanently closed, so I have been honing my skill at preparing chicken enchiladas.

For the most part, I plan on minimal brick-and-mortar shopping for the rest of my life. Online shopping is just too convenient. And we never were big on eating out or ordering in, so I'll keep on making our favorite dishes.

Re: Do You Miss Shopping, Going to Grocery Stores, Etc.?

happycat — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 17:16:30 GMT

I miss shopping, but I'm getting use to it. I feel like this is just a different way of life, and I am adapting as best as I can.

Re: Do You Miss Shopping, Going to Grocery Stores, Etc.?

freakygirl — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 17:18:23 GMT

i'm really not missing anything, and i'm grateful for that. i'm also grateful that i have a husband who doesn't mind going out and doing all the errands. i'm happy to just stay home.

Re: Do You Miss Shopping, Going to Grocery Stores, Etc.?

Biftu — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 17:20:26 GMT

I miss browsing at Marshall's and Home Goods. When I felt like getting out for a while those were my stores of choice. Seeing and talking to people and seeing new merchandise lifted my spirits. I will not be shopping there again until who knows when. I kind of feel the same way about grocery shopping, no browsing just in and out with my list.

Re: Do You Miss Shopping, Going to Grocery Stores, Etc.?

Icegoddess — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 17:23:10 GMT

I wasn't shopping that much before all this. I still do my normal shopping. I'm in the grocery store at least once a week. Yesterday went to Home Depot, Lowes, and then stopped into Kroger to pick up some bread. No differenc than my normal shopping patterns except I had to wear a mask.

I do miss dressing rooms for the few times I do want to shop for clothing.

Re: Do You Miss Shopping, Going to Grocery Stores, Etc.?

feline groovy — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 17:24:16 GMT

Nope.

Re: Do You Miss Shopping, Going to Grocery Stores, Etc.?

Carmie — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 17:27:58 GMT

My life hasn't changed too much. I am mostly a homebody. I go to the grocery store, the same as always...only masked.

Since I have been retired, I really don't shop anymore unless I need something specific and if I can order it online, I will.

We spent our summer the same as always...at our summer place, boating.

We didn't go to the NJ beach this fall because of COVID and didn't the year before because I couldn't walk because of knee pain.

I was hoping to go to Florida for two months this winter, but we aren't going and don't feel it is a good idea right now.

I really don't mind staying home. It's mostly what I do anyway. But, when it is cold, snowy and dark here, I know I'll wish I was down south enjoying some sun.

Re: Do You Miss Shopping, Going to Grocery Stores, Etc.?

Porcelain — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 17:30:24 GMT

No. Shopping for necessities is a chore. I'm very glad to have streamlined it. I much prefer to choose my groceries online to go pick them up. And Amazon for most of the rest. I do still go into stores occasionally, such as Lowes, when there's no viable alternative.

But slogging across miles of concrete at Walmart just to buy Command hooks etc was always plain depressing. The mall was worse. Having to remember where I parked at the mall, having to look on that dumb map to figure out where I was at g123 North in relation to a219, aka Bath and Bodyworks at the other end of the building, the public restroom, bored sales clerks if you could even find them in the dead, hushed department stores.

All this in person shopping is just something I did because I'd always done it. It was something everyone did. Now that there are valid reasons not to do it anymore, I'm noticing that it really was all just a big waste of time.

I do miss hanging out, relaxed, waiting to meet a friend at a coffee shop. But that won't be back until Covid is gone. Even though I could do it now, it's not relaxed like before. It's not the same. It's not fun.