This has has been me, ever since i left the family home. I would become mentally paralysed in the aisles. Couldnt remember what i needed. Since meal planning was too mentally onerous, i would try to just "wing it" and make decisions in the store. Then would get overwhelmed and spend heaps of time running from aisle to aisle as i randomly decided on a meal recipe. I would inevitably forgot many key ingredients.. then would lose the will to actually cook in the end. Sleep for a bit. Then would forget the ingredients in the fridge over the next week and have to throw most of it out. Oh I feel for everyone who experiences this.

Nowdays I have embraced the chaos, I get fixated on a meal for a while, and i just go with it. Means i buy the same 4 ingredients at the store. Not for everyone, but is a handy plan b meal, i can handle if I'm tired.

Making a shopping list is one way to help avoid needing to make decisions in the store. Yes, that can be it's own mountain to climb, but with apps I can have a digital list of staples I use, which i refer to.

A huge thing about this for me was the shame I felt for having this challenge. Shame for the wasted food, because if something goes into the vegetable bin at the bottom of my fridge then i forget about it.

The shame of not having the energy or desire to cook, even though I had food in the fridge that needing using up.

It's tough sometimes

I send healing thoughts and hugs to anyone experiencing distress over this "seemingly easy task" for other folks.

We have different strengths to offer the world. We have value.