Because public statements are good for resolve

[beetiger]

I'm one of those folks who is a little bit mall-sensitive. I'm not sure if it's the mild claustrophobia, the mild social anxiety, the fact that I suck at parking, or the ambient noise, but generally I've got a limited tolerance. And during the holidays, it can get ridiculous. Hours of lingering misery and vague illness from a short lunchtime shopping trip.

So a few years ago, I started a personal tradition of not stepping into a mall or large chain department store from the Wednesday before Thanksgiving until Twelfth Night. I'll be doing that again this year.

It's not anti-consumerism, per se, though I do indeed have too much stuff and prefer any gifts to be wearable, consumable, virtual, or in the form of donations to organizations I believe in. I'll still be shopping for the holidays online and in smaller independent shops. It's personal care. I'm just happier that way.

Maybe you might be too.

Comments

[kores-rabbit.livejournal.com]

I assiduously avoid the toxic mall environment as much as I possibly can, year 'round. The holidays always knock me over, when I walk into the mall, with a wave of stress and anxiety from all the worried shoppers. I learned it's best if I just stay the heck away.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who makes this choice.

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

Yeah, this. Every time I'm in a mall, I'm reminded that I'm so completely Not From the Same Planet as most of the other people who are shopping there.

The holidays make it even worse, with the overcrowding and ... people being positively sociopathic about competing for things like parking spaces and the last widget on the shelf. Good cheer my ass, these people would stab you and drive over you for the last parking space.

Eff that.

[sheherazahde.livejournal.com]

As Seth Meyers said: "Nothing puts people in the giving spirit like enduring a long stressful holiday with their family, hopping in the car half drunk in the middle of the night, and battling an angry mob over a tennis bracelet."