Shopping with Panic and Anxiety

 Since we were sick for most of November and since I really had no idea how I caught the virus, I was hesitant to be out with other people.  Logically I knew that it might have been a fluke, that maybe I had picked up something from the lady who had come to update our Medicare coverage because she was the only one I had been close to for any amount of time and neither of us were wearing masks while we sat in our dining room.  I also knew that for 90 days I would be less likely to catch it again since the antibodies were still present in my body.  But still...I was nervous.

On Wednesday Gary and I had gone to Hobby Lobby and I was close to a panic attack.  There were just too many people and every aisle I wanted to be in had others there looking for items, just like I wanted to do.  All I wanted was to get out of there----and we couldn't leave quickly enough.

When Hilary asked me to go along with her so she could shop for the kids, and so she could help me with selecting the 'something to wear' for the kiddos, I hesitated.  I didn't want to be out with people in stores, especially on a Saturday night when most likely everyone else in Lafayette and the surrounding counties would be shopping too.  Gary finally convinced me that I needed to go, that I would be safe, and that Hilary could use the help.  Please he didn't want her to be out shopping alone later in the evening.  One never knows what might happen to a woman alone on her way to her car in a parking lot.  There are always stories....

Hilary was careful to check the crowds every place we went.  The Target parking lot was full the first time we drove past so we continued to drive.  At Home had a few people, but most of them kept their distance.  The line for the checkout was short and we were in and out without any problems.  Kohls was a little more crowded, but we really didn't encounter too many in the children's clothes area.  The checkout  line moved quickly too. 

Dick's Sporting Goods had a few shoppers but none where we were browsing.  Another cashier was added soon after we were standing in line to check out, so that helped.  Since Hilary was getting a headache from hunger, we decided to find a non-crowded place to grab some food.  McAlisters had blocked off tables so social distancing was easy.  There was no line at the counter.  Once the Chesterton swim team left on  their bus, there were very few people dining.

Finally back to Target, and then Meijer.  We were able to dodge others easily as we looked for toys and clothes.  When we visited the Meijer on the west side, the aisles were nearly empty. One of the perks of living so close to Lafayette/West Lafayette is that we can shop late and NOT have a long drive back home!

As we progressed through the evening, my anxiety lessened. I became more comfortable with wearing my mask and being able to see and hear.   Actually my knee was causing me more grief than my anxiety!  More walking than what I had been doing for the past four weeks was causing more stress on my left leg.

Shopping with panic and anxiety is not fun at all.  But as the evening went on, I did become more comfortable.  Plus I was able to cross many items off my shopping list for Christmas gifts.

Thank you to Hilary for asking me to go along, for checking frequently to see how I was feeling, and for calming my nerves down when needed.  Thank you to Gary for encouraging me to go---he usually knows what is best for me! (don't tell him I said that!).  And thank you to Papaw for taking care of Landon, Tessa, and Owen yesterday evening.  After eating pizza, salad, and breadsticks from Monicals, it was "Christmas Movie Night" and they loved it! Landon spent the night also, so that was fun.  

On to a new day---but I think that if I need to shop again, I will go on a weekday morning with no crowds.  Easier on my anxiety!