Tell a child he or she can’t have something and that’s exactly what the child will continually demand.
Adults aren’t much different in dealing with the forbidden, even if the forbidden is something totally unnecessary or even frivolous.
Since we’ve been told to “stay home” it has become human nature to want to do exactly what we should not be doing during self-isolation and proper distancing.
I am not a shopper. At Christmas time we make a list, dash into a store where we are confident of finding what we need, pay and get out. Mission completed.
So why do I have this urge to wander the aisles of a department store, with absolutely no need to buy anything? I want to browse the kitchen department to check out the new gadgets, most of which I would never use even if I could figure out what it is they do.
I want to run my hands over the non-stick frying pans and muffin tins and even though I have no use for either, being able to touch is a desire I am barely able to control.
We have a new cousin, so of course sending a cheque suddenly becomes an impersonal way to greet the little guy. The mom wants clothing in vibrant colours so checking out the tiny overalls and t-shirts or the infant shoes and slippers is a shopping experience that I suddenly want to do. Then I would naturally pick a gift that the mom and dad would not appreciate — like a drum or cymbals on which to bang. They live far away so why not.
Purchasing items to enhance my wardrobe is a task undertaken only when someone looks at my top and comments “you’ve been wearing that for a long time,” suggesting it might be time to spend a few dollars. Wouldn’t it be nice to have something new to wear when we once again are able to gather? Not an essential purchase, but gosh I wish I could browse some of the stores that carry my impressive size.
I’ve never been much for spending time in museums but suddenly I wouldn’t mind a voyage to spend a few hours learning about people I don’t know and why they settled where they did.
Because I know I shouldn’t, I want to visit all the grocery stores in town to pick out our fresh fruit and vegetables. Before Easter I wanted to poke the hot cross buns to find the freshest packages, and I “needed” to find Easter treats that might last us to Victoria Day. I still want to linger over the tomatoes and talk with other shoppers as they pick out cauliflower and celery.
I don’t drink coffee but it is suddenly imperative that I visit family and friends to share cakes and cookies, a glass of water, maybe a hot chocolate. The tables inside the fast food outlets and favourite cafes beckon and it is difficult to stay away.
And it goes without saying that my hair do needs doing by a professional.
I have been advised not to do any heavy lifting until my injuries heal. So that means no house cleaning. Darn. I am barely able to resist getting out the vacuum cleaner to chase down those dust bunnies that grow daily. But resist I will.
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
