Ask Amy: Pandemic experience has triggered food hoarding
Dear Amy: My life is in a good place. My kids are out of the house, and I retired early.
Before COVID-19 hit, I went to Broadway shows and movies, out to eat with friends, and traveled alone.
Obviously, the pandemic threw a wrench into things. I have tried to reframe my life during a time when I've been scared to go out, despite being vaxxed and boosted.
Early on during the pandemic, it was hard to get certain foods, but I’ve found that even after things settled down, I was still overstocking.
I have two full fridges, two freezers, and find myself ordering food for various relatives and having it shipped to them.
I don't have an eating problem, as I don’t over-consume food, but I can’t stop buying it.
I finally canceled my Costco membership and limit my trips to the store, but I still find myself at midnight shopping at online food sources.
I've tried everything to stop, and yet I keep buying. Not clothes, not knick-knacks, not home furnishings. Just food.
Events like the Ukraine invasion seem to trigger me buying more food.
I have a freezer with sliced and frozen vegetables, sauces and soups. The other freezer contains nothing but meat. I know this is a control issue, but I can't shake the fear of running out of food.
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