"shop as normal" is well-intentioned for avoiding stockpiling & leaving shelves empty for others. it's a little more complex than that for many. there have been excellent discussions about the improbability of "shop as normal" + lacking funds. and, emerging stuff re: EDs..

I identify as being well into ED recovery, and the grocery shopping, cooking experience is complicated AS HECK right now.

I also am extremely privileged to have access to funds, a secure job, and therefore less worry about that aspect of the experience. the overlap between socioeconomic factors & ED recoveries is something that has lacked attention before now & continues to lack attention.

a part of what makes me feel secure in recovery is knowing that I'll be able to access food that I want to eat and that I need to keep my body strong when I need it. regardless of *actual* shortages on the supply end, empty store shelves create a reality where this is uncertain

if I were to "shop as normal," honestly, I'd be at the store every other day, picking up smaller amounts of things. because that's "normal" for me. I believe this is "normal" for lots of folks. I'm not doing that, and so I've had to think A LOT about food, quite far in advance.

the kind of calculation and planning required - & then flexibility to ALTER the plan IN THE MOMENT in an environment that is already fraught (being around people at a store in the time of a pandemic) - is not an easy cognitive task.

people in ED recovery have vastly different relationships with food, meal planning, stocking up, visiting the grocery store, etc. these are experiences that have been (hopefully) explored with a team under "normal" conditions, to create routines that work for the person.

at this social moment, those carefully thought-through (or cobbled together!) plans about managing shopping, cooking, ordering, and eating are thrown up in the air.

food is also tied to comfort and stability (for many with AND without ED histories I think) - not having access to something that is comforting and stable in uncomfortable and unstable times is a really tough & tricky experience.

basically what I'm trying to say is, I feel for everyone who is navigating this odd, de-stablizing experience right now. and I hope you offer yourself some compassion if it's hard--no matter where you are at in your ED/recovery experience.