Oh, shopping..

Despite being a female, I've never quite found this common joy women seem to share in shopping. For clothes, that is. I grew up a tomboy and never cared much for my attire, but as I got older, I started to care more.. you know, middle school and high school tend to have that effect to some degree.

Anywho, I always disliked shopping for myself.. because I had no idea what my own style was, what I liked, etc, etc, so I'm so, so indecisive when it comes to clothes. Also, I'm very wary in places like the mall to shop with so many people, it's like I break into social phobia mode. I constantly feel like people are staring, judging, whatever. It drives me crazy. I get so insecure in the mall and it makes shopping a very, very displeasurable experience.

I try to do everything as quickly as possible, when in reality I'd love to take my time, compare and contrast.. and so then I usually end up with meager results in what I came in for, you know? It's like I'm so shaken, uncomfortable and insecure that it's just.. well, awful. It'd probably be easier if I went with friends, but I quite lack those.

I always imagined that shopping while the mall was completly empty would be brilliant and much easier on me, and I could actually -enjoy- it, but we all know that'll never happen.

But oh the beauty of online shopping! It seemed to solve this problem, only that not being able to try on/see the item.. well, sort of sucks. But it still suffices, I suppose.

Still, I hate the fact that I'm faced with these social fears and it cripples me in enjoying a thing like clothes shopping.. and I'm almost certain this laces in with AvPD.. bleh.

Anyone else have this problem?

*needs to go shopping* =/

I hate shopping....HATE SHOPPING!! But for me, it's not about social phobia...it's about insecurity, low self-esteem, hating my body, avoiding mirrors so that I don't have to look at myself, etc

Even though our reasons are different, i sometimes feel abnormal for hating something that most girls love doing....

I don't shop online either though..... I wear what I have

=(

Oh, I see. I can relate, though. I don't HATE the way I look, but I'd definitely like some improvement.. but hey, I'd say just about all women feel that way with this 'thin is in' fad corrupting this generation.

Bleh, but it's a pain. Shopping, period. Expensive, too. I'd rather spend money on something technical.. or music, or a book.

I hate shopping for the same reasons. I feel like people are judging me and making fun of me for some reason. So i tend to keep shopping down to the least amount of time needed.

Yeah, same here.

It's so silly, though.. because they probably aren't, but as much as I try to convince that to myself, that this fear and insecurity is irrational, and that nobody is probably judging me; I instantly fall vicitim to the feeling when I'm presented with it.

That's what bugs me the most. I KNOW it's ridiculous, but I can't stop the way I feel. I suppose.. even if I pretty it up with words, the fear is still lodged into my subconscious.

I hate shopping because I have no money. Back in the day when I had a job, I would spend hours at a time just hanging out in the video game store. I actually like shopping if I have money.

The exception is clothes. I will browse for hours and leave with nothing. I think I look absolutely terrible in anything so it's hard to find anything I like.

Haha, I'll do the same thing. Then it feels awful to leave empty-handed..

and yeah. Money. :/

I actually hate shopping on the weekdays, because there's not a lot of people and you stand out. While when it's busy, it's not that bad. I do, however, get a headache from all the noise.
I also find it hard to shop in my city because i want to be original and unique in my style. In other words, i think if i buy something where majority of people buy cloth, they'd look at me and say, oh, he bought this shirt there and there, for this and this price, and it was on sale. I think it all goes back to high school, when i started buying some items online,( while everybody shopped at the mall) and then get compliments and questions where i bought those. Ever since then i try to buy clothes that are trendy, yet not available at malls nearby. (Now that I'm reading this, i realize how stupid it sounds.) I think if i had a girlfriend i would put a lot less emphasis on my appearance and "get a life"

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Imman - Ah, it's okay. I understand where you're coming from, I can relate to not wanting to buy clothes that are too "common" and there's a good chance I'll be caught with someone wearing the same thing. It's so annoying, though. I wish I just didn't give a $#%^. Although, I definitely prefer when the mall, if ever, is dead. It's easier on me. Less eyes.


Ravin - Mood is definitely important, it helps to be in a good one. I'm jealous you can just zone everything out and do what you came in for. I let everyone effect me and it.. well, sucks. I usually don't have to worry about shoe shopping, I wear the same shoes for yeaaaaars..