Lost in the grocery store, anyone?

[lemonspeaks]

Today I went to the grocery store. On my way (while also listening to an audio book on living life well with ADHD) I repeated over and over the few items I needed. I got to the store and spent time looking and smelling candles.

Were candles on my list? Not this week, but they were 3 weeks ago, and I just remembered that I wanted a new candle. I put it in my cart and collected the additional items I needed.

Fast forward 20 minutes and I'm on the other side of the store confused on why I was even over there.

Was fish on my list? I couldn't remember. Ah, but the fish reminded me that honey was on my list, but was fish?

I knew I should've written down the list, but I forgot to grab a pen when I was at home and had access to both a pen and a scratch piece of paper. So, I called my husband to ask about the fish. He didn't answer.

He's a lovely man, but he's also new to the concept that I have ADHD. My cute quirks are now symptoms in his eyes. Although he hasn't said that, I'm merely assuming.

Back to the store---I walked through the aisles, hoping to jog my memory of what else was missing from my list. The overhead music was screaming Bon Jovi and distracting me from the audio book that was playing through my headphones.

I walked past the honey aisle and halted, remembering that honey was on my list. I got three different kinds, because who doesn't need three kinds of honey? That's when I remembered bananas were on my list and the entire reason I was there in the first place. I had forgotten to buy enough of the pieces of fruit to get me and my husband through the week.

It's weird though, because we both eat at least one banana per day, but if someone asked us what our favorite fruit was, neither of us would say bananas. Hm.

At the store, I checked out and began to panic about not having everything I needed. I could feel the anxiety move into a panic attack, but luckily I forgot about it and walked out, somehow remembering exactly where I parked the car.

Now here I am at home eating chicken instead of the fish I forgot to buy, feeling grateful for this community and the audiobook I partially listened to today about living with ADHD.

[PurpleMerp]

I use Post It notes. Stick one up on the fridge, and add items throughout the week. Take the note with me during grocery shopping, sticking it to the cart. Cross off items as you go through the store.

Much less likely I'd forget anything, and having this routine makes it much less stressful.

[Stonesfan in reply to PurpleMerp]

I make lists on my iPhone "notes" app

Check them off when in the basket.

[Lovepetal in reply to Stonesfan]

This works for me, too! I try to keep my list by adding to it as soon as I realize I’ll be needing something throughout the week. It’s the only way I can manage my food supplies.

[Hominid711]

🤣 hilarious!

[emiL1234]

Did you absorb the information from what you were listening? Would you try the same, listening to classical music, still no list ? I want to know what happens!

[Jozlynn]

I feel seen!

[NYCmom2]

Try using “Notes” or a similar note taking app on your smart phone. Often I create a shopping list directly into my schedule on icalendar on my Smart Phone for the time I’ve scheduled to go shopping.

This way it never gets lost. I can’t be trusted with Post it notes (think a kitten with a ball of yarn- lol).

If my spouse has items to add to the list I ask him to text it to me so I have a record to refer back to.

But short answer, yes, I’ve gotten lost in so many stores including grocery stores.

[Fayerweather]

I'll text my roommate. "Shop list" and then all the items we need, then when I'm in the store, I go back to the text and get the stuff on the list. The only issue is when I tell myself "of course you remembered what was on the list. You don't have to look." Then absolutely forget three things.

[Lovepetal]

The grocery store has become one of the most difficult places for me to be lately… and I always have a list! Your post really speaks to me.