thrift without spending a penny
NOTE: Includes Youtube video at bottom of this post!
We tend to look beyond what we already have, always wanting more. That is the epitome of the human condition. We will always want more, no matter how wealthy, famous, or abundant our lives seem to be. While we tout minimalism and criticize consumerism, we often forget it fulfills this innate desire to look into the future for what’s next.
I’ve spent time wishing I were immune to these ideals, but it’s what makes me human. Quite a tall order to do what all the monks, Gary Vees, and armchair experts of the world ask us to do: Enjoy the now.
I like to think there’s a way to look at consumerism from a self-improvement perspective. If I hold this perception as I make decisions, I can allow it to inform how and why I consume.
Personally, I consume, purchase, and invest because I believe in a future where sustainability is embedded in everything we do without thought. I don’t subscribe to the idea that everyone will need to agree politically on how to achieve this, but I do believe that a new generation of conscious brands, businesses, and people is on its way.
One small, key way I’ve been rethinking my consumerist habits has been through shopping secondhand. The very idea that a boundary exists between me and the item I want forces me to slow down, to think hard about why I want it, and to create more space between my thoughts and my actions. I can’t just waltz out and find specifically what I’m looking for at a thrift shop anyway. It will take time, determination, and a careful process to find it. And you know what? It makes finally having it remarkably rewarding, leaving me wanting to keep it longer.
The cherry red blazer I found tucked away in my mom's 90s closet.
If you don’t want to spend money on thrifting, there’s another way: look to your family, your friends, your community. I’m willing to bet your mom or sister have some clothes in their closets they don’t wear. Or perhaps your cousins do. Your friends. I’ve discovered one of my favourite ways to hang out with friends has been through organized clothing swaps. I’ve been invited to a few and always walked away with an item I care much more about for the simple reason that it belonged to someone I know. Then… we sip cocktails and get drunk, you know the deal.
In my latest vlog, the stores are closed on a planned thrift day, so I improvise. I decide to investigate what already exists in my family home and end up with quality finds. Remember, today’s mass-produced clothing does not live up to the quality standard of clothing made in the 90s.
Check out the video here:
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