LINGERING LONGINGS

The idea of “I will probably use this someday—maybe for this, maybe for that” used to be my go-to reason for buying things, especially when thrifting. I love thrifting, and most times, I see it as an opportunity I don’t want to miss. Today an item is there; tomorrow, it might not be

Unlike retail shopping, where whatever you miss can usually be restocked. I don’t know about thrifting in other countries, thrifting in my country is more like a “see and grab” situation. You may never get to see the same item or a similar one again. I think what drew me to thrifting wasn’t just the thrill of finding unique pieces but also getting those things at affordable prices.

One of my favorite finds was this brown shoulder bag made of high-quality leather and suede, that I bought for about $0.50. I never saw the man I bought it from again, because he doesn’t have a shop. Most of my friends don’t believe me when I tell them I paid that amount.

Thrifting feels like a game of treasure hunt, where you don’t want to miss out because you might end up regretting it. It’s a cycle I’d often repeat, each time with the same justification until I started seeing how Items ended up tucked away, forgotten despite my intentions.

While decluttering the kitchen a few days ago, I came across a pink spiral cup with little floral designs that I’d thrifted. I’d convinced myself I’d use it, having seen similar ones in some YouTube vlogs and thinking it would be fun to have. At first, I reminded myself to use it, but I eventually abandoned it. I even forgot I owned it until I stumbled across it in the back of a cupboard, missing its spiral straw and cover. It’s funny how a lot of things end up that way—bought in a moment of impulse, only to be forgotten.

To be honest, I miss the freedom that came with impulse purchases. While there are some thrift stores and shops most thrift spots here are by the roadside, enticing and open to everyone. Some sellers are inconsistent, showing up only when they have a new batch of collections, or the Items are hard to resist.

Embracing minimalism has limited my impulse buying; now I only get things I truly need or have been searching for. I don’t want to end up with a cluttered space and fall into unnecessary spending. Minimalism hasn’t stopped me from buying; it has just prompted more intentional buying.

Over time, minimalism hasn’t just saved me space—it’s helped me save money, too. Cutting back on impulse buys has meant more room in my budget for things that truly matter.

Sometimes, walking past a thrift spot is an inner conflict. I feel the urge to stop and check out the items, to relive that feeling of accomplishment after securing a good find, or the fun of grabbing something without overthinking. I miss the spontaneity of thrifting.

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Not every purchase turns out to be a regret, but not every purchase turns out to be a good one, either. As I embrace minimalism, I’m learning that satisfaction doesn’t come from how many things I own—but from truly valuing the few I keep. Each time I resist the urge to stop at a roadside thrift stall, I remind myself: I’m not missing out—I’m just making space for the things I truly value.

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❀

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Thumbnail is designed using Canva. All images are mine.

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