3 ways I make grocery shopping work for me as an autistic woman: Because I don’t want to stop grocery shopping even though it’s hard

Originally published on Medium

After a grocery shopping trip, I like nothing more than to lie down on my living room floor and relax from the trip. I let myself feel the stress and release it.

Because grocery shopping is a challenge.

And I like challenges.

I sill remember my first grocery shopping trip with my own money. I went to Kroger with a list of ingredients from internet recipes. I thought I was prepared. By the end, my cart looked kind of empty but my running tally of the cost was getting too high. Something wasn’t right.

So I did what any good student does: I researched how to grocery shop. (I don’t remember what articles I found back then but here’s a recent one with excellent tips) After my research, I went back and eventually figured out what works for me.

Grocery-shopping is the one errand for the day

For a short period of time, I tried to “do all the errands” in one day. That included grocery shopping and going to the laundromat. I noticed how tired I got after but I thought that’s what it took to Get Everything Done. America runs on coffee after all, right?

I complained to my husband about it and he commented “Don’t do it on the same day.” And my first reaction was “I have to!” and then the next thought was “Can I?”

I could. I stopped trying to be like everyone else and my energy levels and mood improved. Even with a washing machine at home now, I still need to do these errands on separate days. Even with Instacart (thank you pandemic for forcing me to try this!), I still need to do them on separate days.

It’s what works for me.

Grocery-shopping during slow times

I don’t go grocery shopping on the weekends or after 4:30 PM because that’s when everyone else usually goes. I have the option to go earlier in the day so I do it on the weeks that I don’t use grocery pickup or delivery.

Grocery shopping with a weekly list and Often Used items list

I like to be in and out of the store quickly so having a list is essential. I don’t go to the store multiple times in a week, so I can’t risk forgetting to buy anything. I also keep a daily whiteboard list of items that are running low as a reminder to add them to the grocery list.

I also keep a spreadsheet of kitchen staples that reminds me of the things that I don’t buy regularly. Both of these lists give me that big picture and little picture view I need.

These are the main tips that help me to still enjoy doing the grocery shopping myself.