As an avid shopper sometimes, I like to go all out when I buy. One space this occurs for me is thrifting. However, I have come to realize that buying in mass is not always the best decision. Thus, I have begun pondering three questions before I thrift.
1. Do I have space?
Before you go thrifting next, ask yourself this critical question, do I have space
For many this is a very difficult question for people to ponder. We often think we need to accumulate more and more things.
However, when you begin thinking from a sustainable perspective, you begin understanding that less is more and that you utilize your clothes more effectively when you buy with a purpose.
When you are intentional about how you thrift and amass new items, the way that you approach thrifting and buying changes.
2. What is my budget?
Next, you need to think about a budget. I have seen myself and others fall into the trap of buy abundantly. People tend to walk into stores and just buy in excess. This in many cases leads to buyer’s remorse or the guilt that people feel after select purchases. Feeling buyer’s remorse is one of my least favorite things to experience.
To avoid this, I have begun being more strategic in how I budget for my thrifting. This has totally changed how I approach buying. My eyes do not get as big when I enter stores like Goodwill anymore. I am still like a kid in a candy store; however, I set a limit on how much I spend at one time. Budgeting might sound super easy but it is more complicated than people give it credit. This is because it take discipline. You will have the urge to just buy to buy; however, you need to be honest with yourself about whether or not buying extra is worth it. Budgeting does not have to be a fast and hard thing but rather, a tool to help you create boundaries/limits.
3. What will these items add to my wardrobe?
Finally, before you go thrifting, think about what and how the items are going to get will add to your wardrobe. This little shifting in thinking has been a life saver for me. I have begun thinking more deeper about my purchases. I think the reason why many people have anxiety when shopping is because they do not have a clear vision of what items they are going to get and how they add to their collection.
I used be like this and would end up walk away from a store bags of things because I did not know the items did not add to my wardrobe. Being more picky about the things I add to my wardrobe makes me love the things I buy even more. Take a bit of time to think about your aims and goals when shopping can help you reshape your whole buying experience for the better.
The three things discussed may seem common sense but, many people do not put them into practice. By shifting your thought process just a bit when shopping/thrifting can make you a more effective buyer.
