unconscious cognitive burdens

I had one of these moments this week. Someone asked me if I struggle with getting groceries, and I said no. But then I thought about it later and it is actually something draining, which I often put off or dread until I really need something.

Contributing factors are the very tight budget I'm on right now, my lack of routine meaning it's quite a big deal and a deliberate outing, the supermarket itself with all the lights and sounds and bustle, and the fact I'm exhausted and in pain a lot at the moment - it doesn't take much to wipe me out. Since the covid times I had a bunch of my essentials delivered by subscription which one by one I've cancelled so that's another layer - now I have to remember to get all these things and pay attention to when I need them, add them back into the weekly budget.

My armour includes headphones, glasses, big hat, and more planning ahead than I generally prefer - not just my list but the time of day to hopefully minimise it all. I treat it like a lightning raid and I can generally be out and back pretty quickly, but factoring in all the steps ... it does add up.

At least it gave me a quick finished post - I have a few long ones in the making. (And I've just realised I forgot one of the essentials so I guess I'm going out again tomorrow).