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.