There is art in everything. Expression is found in all aspects of life. It is not limited to paintings, books, films, or music. Art is one of mankind’s many blessings, yet it is not technically necessary for survival. Yes, art is a means of expression that can allow us to see different perspectives on various subjects and even life, yet do we need it the same way we need food, water, clothes, and shelter? That being said, there are two types of people: those who thrift because they genuinely need a source of affordable clothes and house appliances, and those like me. Those who have no problem collecting articles of old age. Those who thrift for sport.
Though it is not necessarily a glamorous hobby, thrifting is virtually the equivalent of hunting, except with a specific prey, or as we call it, a niche. After all, we do not go into a thrift store the same way we do, say, a grocery store or the mall. However, it is only natural for humans to thrift–after all, we evolved from the prehistoric hunter-gatherers. In a world where the necessary does not satiate, it is not entirely unexpected that we have become picky even when hunting/thrifting. So what do we hunt for? Clothes? Old electronics? Collectibles? Anything out-of-print? In the digital age, humanity has lost a great deal of sentiment toward the tangibles, instead opting for quick and efficient sources of information. Why go through the hard work of buying a DVD when we can watch it on the next streaming service or (let’s be honest) some illegal website? Why go through the never-ending hassle of finding a certain article of clothing when it is readily available on Amazon? Okay fine. Thrifting is inessential for our natural survival and pursuit of information. But neither is art. So why do we thrift?
Necessity and art are the very things that dictate whether our lives are filled with languor or animation. What is life without art? If certain activities are not meant to be done simply because they are deemed obsolete by the majority, then why is there art to begin with? We do not need entertainment. We do not need art. Yet, we still paint. We still write. We still speak and express ourselves without question, whether or not it is deemed necessary based on its efficiency. Simply put, art allows us to talk. To experience. To live with a meaning. Our own meaning. If thrifting appears to be just that, then who is anyone to tell us whether or not we are allowed to enact this passion? Besides, while thrifting may seem obsolete in the growing digital era, it does pose many benefits. As long as one is not bothered by the fact that somebody else used an object first, thrifting is an extremely viable option for everyone: shoppers and collectors alike.
The smell of your grandmother’s home never grows old, even if it is present in an old mom-and-pop thrift store. There are two different kinds of thrift stores: the aforementioned mom-and-pop store with that musty, yet invigorating, smell, and warehouse stores. Both of these pose exceptional value for different kinds of thrifters. Warehouse stores tend to be affiliated with an organization that participates in donations. Take Salvation Army and Goodwill, for example. Both of these are notorious for being the go-to for low-income families requiring discounted clothes and other things. However, they can be excellent sources of used objects that anyone can thrift for. There is no shame in going to these stores. If one truly is interested or has a desire to thrift, then going against these stigmas in this way should be the least of their concerns. On the other hand, mom-and-pop thrift stores are small and local. Their prices may vary at any location, but they are great places to find used clothes, DVDs, CDs, records, and other household appliances. The main point is that all thrift stores are great places for anyone with an interest in taking up this exciting activity.
I have had the opportunity to visit both of these types of thrift stores in one day: Goodwill in Warminster and Throwback Thrift in Willow Grove. Both of these places were a pleasure to walk through and to simply endure, and I was able to get some good DVDs for an extremely affordable price. There was just an inexplicable rush in getting something extremely undervalued in a sea of “trash”. Thrifting is the common man’s game. It’s affordable, accessible, and an amazing pastime. If you find yourself in need of a rush of elation and joy, thrift. And maybe you can find the art within.
