Hate grocery shopping like I do? Here’s way around it

I hate grocery shopping.

After a busy week at work, going to the store takes up too much time, not only the hour I spend there but loading everything into the car, unloading it at home and putting it all away.

And the grocery store is filled with reminders of everything I am not doing right. I should buy organic (instead of what’s on sale) and cook from scratch (instead of buying 10 Lean Cuisines at a time).

I hate grocery shopping more during the pandemic, when it feels risky. I get anxious around too many people.

So, the other night, I decided to try something new. I logged onto my grocery store’s website, clicked on the items I wanted to buy and added them to my virtual cart.

I clicked “checkout” and chose a pickup time.

The next morning, I pulled into a parking spot in the first row outside the store and called the number posted on the sign. It was the first time I’d ordered groceries online.

People went in and out of the store, masks on, pushing grocery carts, empty on the way in, full on the way out. I smiled and settled back in my seat.

I’d known about ordering groceries online but never considered it. It felt pretentious. Now it felt safer.

Maybe I’d miss seeing the employees I’ve gotten to know over the years.

I’d eventually have to break down and go in for some items, but not today.

In my rear-view mirror, I saw Sarai wearing a mask and yellow vest with a cart full of paper bags. As she stopped behind my car, I put on a mask and helped her load it into my backseat.

I learned that Sarai’s daughter goes to the same school my son attended.

“That’s it?” I asked. That’s it, she said.

I was back home 24 minutes after I’d left. Suddenly I didn’t hate grocery shopping so much.