Pandemic Dread Has Me Instagram-Shopping Nonstop

Author Roxane Gay on how unnecessary purchases help her regain control in an uncertain climate

Roxane Gay
ZORA
Published in
7 min readNov 20, 2020

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A small shopping cart and red computer mouse on pink background, symbolizing online shopping.
Photo: the_burtons/Getty Images

After nearly eight months of relative isolation, I have succumbed to Instagram ads which have, over the past while, become increasingly ludicrous. Or my inability to resist them has become increasingly ludicrous. It all…

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Roxane Gay
ZORA
Writer for

I write. I want a tiny baby elephant. If you clap, I clap back. Books.: Ayiti, Untamed State, Bad Feminist. Difficult Women, World of Wakanda 1–5, Hunger.