I can’t believe I used to really dislike shopping at thrift stores.

It wasn’t out of snobbery or anything like that. It was just too overwhelming, all the choices. You’d go in and there are literally a thousand different one-of-a-kind items, and each one required me to look at it, consider it, and make some kind of decision.

It was just too much, at least when the rest of my life was overwhelming already. When you’re mentally and physically maxed out, being presented with a massive treasure hunt isn’t fun, it’s just stressful.

But now! Life changes, things shift. And now I love the hunt.

It’s so pleasant to just hit up the Value Village on a Sunday morning with no particular agenda, looking for little treasures.

I’ve learned it’s all about the vibe. I don’t need to catalog everything in the store, or power through looking for the best deal. I used to be so focused on getting stuff DONE, getting the WIN, checking off the lists.

Now I go there and just wander. I let my eyes skim over the china shelf, looking for things that jump out at me that are pretty – I know I’ll know it when I see it.

I like to go to the jeans or jackets area and just let my hand trail over the pieces. If it feels right, it’ll jump out at me.

I like to look at the jewelry and the art and wait for something dazzling to catch my eye. If something sparks joy, $3 later it’ll be sparking joy in my own house, that I own, with no one to tell me it looks dingy or weird or out of place. It’s mine.

If nothing jumps, that’s okay. It was the wandering that made it all worth it.

I’m learning to trust that the journey is the good stuff, and I’m learning to trust my own likes and dislikes. I’ll find the good stuff, the stuff that is worth it – for me.

I’ll see you at the thrift store, looking for treasures, and finding myself.