I Dream of...Shopping?

sweclporama via Pixabay

I used to love to shop. Way back when I was single and living in essentially the middle of nowhere, I thought nothing of driving half an hour or more to the nearest mall and wandering in and out of stores, looking for bargains or the perfect addition to my wardrobe. Back then, I considered that an afternoon well spent and would often call my mom when I got home to tell her all about my new stuff. An inveterate bargain hunter, my mom taught me never to pay full price and sharing my purchases with her was often as much fun as making them in the first place.

Decades later, my mom is no longer just a phone call away. If I spend an afternoon at the mall (which is within fifteen minutes of my suburban home), it's usually to shop with my daughter for my daughter. I enjoy these excursions immensely, but now it's because of the company, not the shopping.

Last Christmas, my in-store purchases were few and far between, reflecting the preference for online shopping that has become my norm. I have a few favorite retailers that are my go-to sites, allowing me to purchase pretty much whatever I want without leaving my sofa. Lately, in particular, I've been the queen of the Target online order. I've been eerily content to stay put, perhaps because in doing so, I feel safe.

But I think I'm beginning to miss shopping.

Not the whole afternoon at the mall, dig through the bargain bins kind of shopping. Just...regular shopping. An hour at a store surrounded by merchandise that's three-dimensional, not virtual. Something I can reach out and touch instead of using a zoom key. Or the Zoom app.

But I digress.

Like so many things that are just out of reach, the actual shopping experience would probably be more tiring and less satisfying than my romanticized version of it. Going up and down the aisles, taking my time as the scenery changes, taking in the sights beyond my own house. A month ago, this was something I took for granted. Now, I kinda miss it.

Kinda.

Pixabay

I don't know if I'll ever return to the enthusiasm my 20-something self felt about an afternoon spent at the mall -- the convenience of online shopping has converted me to a hybrid shopper at best. But, I do think that once I can travel farther than the mailbox without feeling as though I'm breaking the law, I will appreciate shopping again.

For now, a girl can dream.