Having grown up in a very rural area, I didn't discover Trader Joe's until my freshman year of college. And even that took a while: I was so used to shopping at the overpriced, underwhelming yet convenient grocery store on campus that I ignored friends' recommendations for this organic, affordably priced haven. If you've ever shopped at a Trader Joe's, you know that it's an experience. An adventure, even. Below are the 9 stages we all go through when shopping at our beloved TJ's.
Anticipation
It's shopping time! What new foods are you going to discover today? Maybe a new beauty product? Will that cute cashier who checked you out last week be working?
Dread
Somehow the Saturday morning grocery rush surprises you every time. You walk in and see the line already wrapped around the store and think "Why didn't I just go during the week?"
Focus
No use standing there, taking up valuable space in the little space this store has. Time to make your rounds and start checking off that list.
Discovery
As always you come across some sort of intriguing new product, or maybe one you haven't seen in a while. You stand there for a while, trying to simultaneously convince yourself that you need it and that you need to stay within your budget. If you're like me and have practically no willpower, the id wins almost every time.
Confusion
The vegan cheese was RIGHT HERE last week. Where did they move it? And why is it that you only see employees when you don't need them??
Hunger
Looking at all that delicious food can really get to you, especially if you neglected to eat before your excursion. You should have listened to your mom when she said, "Never shop hungry".
Relief
You check the last item off your list, and your anxiety floats away. Now it's time to squeeze your way around the store and find the end of the line.
Surprise
When shopping at Trader Joe's there's usually no in between - you either spend more or less than you thought you were going to. If you've managed the latter congrats, you smart consumer, you!
Contentment
You exit the store, your arms weighed down with the iconic red and brown paper bags, and mentally praise yourself for "adulting" so well. You dream about the delights that your taste buds will enjoy over the next week, and for a while you're at peace.
