I have friends that have nearly all of their food delivered to them. They started that years before the current pandemic and for the most part they are happy with how it’s turned out. According to them, it saves them time and eliminates the “hassle” of going shopping. Now “hassle” is a curious term. What exactly is the hassle they refer? Finding the items you want? Other people? Traffic?
From the article: “Things go awry when multiple problems converge at once,” says Stephanie Preston, professor of psychology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. “At the grocery store, first off, you’re anxious about being able to get the supplies you want. And then the idea of fighting over resources is extremely aversive, so you have internal conflict, and that’s anxiety-producing in turn.”
It’s unfortunate how anxiety works. A seed is planted in your mind and you then extrapolate out multiple scenarios in which that seed grows to a vine that will choke you to death. The likelihood of you having a negative experience at a grocery store is low, but with everyone in a heightened anxious state, its seems more likely now than ever.
The article is well written, if not satirical at times which can be grating. That said it’s a decent piece in the sense that the aim of the article appears to be to extend understanding to those who have serious anxiety issues and need grace.
We are all going to have to manage as best we can. You can have delivery of just about anything these days but sometimes you do have to venture out. Remember that you aren’t alone, millions of people suffer from anxiety. People are scared, you will get odd looks, someone might comment to you, they may go the other way when you approach.
Hang in there, you are doing awesome. Take one day at a time, one event at a time and you will make it.