Have I been left in some kind of time warp? Seems to me that for quite some time we have been on a trend that tends more to convenience and disposal and less on reuse and permanence. We made it so easy to throw something away that we almost were conditioned to do so. Every season we needed the newest thing – the most fashionable item – even if it was a fake we wanted to be in. Now I see sweaters from the 70’s, colors from all decades, coats, jackets and so much more that have now found a second (or maybe even third) life. I was recently in an Urban Outfitters and while standing in line I found it interesting that all of the employees working there were talking about loving to shop in the Thrift Store (luckily no managers were around). And this past weekend I overheard some very well-heeled ladies stating that they have agreed to stop going to the Thrift Store (for the time being) as they would buy too much whenever there. So, what should we make of this? On one hand it makes total sense – reuse nice product, give it a second life, and you have created quite the virtuous cycle. On the other hand, maybe it is just a few outliers making their voice heard over the din of the disposable life.
Being an optimist, who likes change, and believes most people have good intentions this might be a leading indicator that our 99.9% consumer focused mindset is shifting? Could it mean that we are actually starting to think about the implications of what we do before we buy? Maybe just maybe, the marketing messages we once were so affected by and influenced by are not getting through as much. I have done no study, have no empirical evidence and can barely defend my perspective on this one. But that stated, yes, I think we are in the early phase of a shift. A shift of psyche. Off-shoring is coming back to us. Consumers are not so happy wasting. In some groups recycling is huge. And I dare not take up too many more bits of digital space with example after example of the shift (you can do that for me). Rather, I suggest that we take the Rise of the Thrift Store as a sign that it is time to think differently. The early adopters are showing us a new way to live in the same way as the pioneers did years ago. I would describe it as a new and innovative way of thinking that is actually caring of the planet we live on and each other in kind. Yea, we have a bit of a ways to go but I feel something that I have not found before and if we all listen intently we might just hear a loud noise that directs us to a place better than today that we all contribute to and we all benefit from.
See you in the Thrift Shop
I know this is going to sound weird but I have this Flower thing stuck in my head so hard that I cannot find a way to fall asleep without it. Relaxes me - or maybe wipes me out -either way it is now part of the routine, brush teeth, wash face, do pushups. Seem quite abnormal, don’t ya think? Yea, Yea,…… Oh and I Felt a bit better tonight - another day done and 169 pushups…..getting nowhere on that one.
Till Tomorrow - consider me living and loving life
Ciao
joe