Thrift Stores: a Haven from the Hampster Wheel

So it's been a while. In fact, it's been a while since I've done anything leisurely for myself. Don't start feeling too bad for me. In between studying for exams, writing 13 page papers, producing videos and beginning some copy editing duties, I did have time to see friends and other special people. But it was still go, go, go. Rendezvous were treats or breaks from the busy flow of to-do list items and appointments. There's a part of me that really thrives on that kind of mode. It's helped me a lot in life, but I can't run on that hampster wheel forever.

So I'm sitting here working my last shift at my on-campus job. My car is packed, my dorm completely empty. And I'm so ready for a change of gear. But before I completely discard all the papers from this year and forget about the projects I've done, I wanted to share something with this blog's readers (if there are any left). One of the main things consuming my time this semester was another blog for a class. We each chose a micro-beat to blog and tweet about. (Still unsure what I think about twitter.) When I chose to cover Harrisonburg thrift stores for the semester, I got some weird looks. People wondered how I would pull topics from such a narrow, seemingly dull topic.

But I really enjoyed getting to know the managers, volunteers and causes that these thrift stores support. Harrisonburg has four locally run thrift stores plus two Goodwills and Salvation Army and they're really a cool thing. (All Hburg stores are listed on my blog with hours and addresses!) As a kid, when we cleaned out our closets my mom would tell us to set aside things to pass down to cousins, etc. and others to go to Goodwill. I didn't think a whole lot about that- it was just where the old clothes went. But donation and resale practices are really significant in many ways. I feel like enumerating them so ha! now you have to read them. (I mean.... don't leave my blog! PLEASE read them!)

Thrift stores reduce landfill and incineration waste. 

1. Your donations are not going to a landfill. Most thrift stores I've encountered are pretty sustainable about what they do with things they can't sell as well- things are recycled, metal parts are picked up by other vendors to use, etc. 
2. Profits go to good causes- from shelters, to international mission groups, thrift store money is doing good things in the world. 
3. You can get good prices on stuff. Some of my favorite items are thrifted and cost me less than $5. While that's awesome for anyone trying to save a buck, it's even better when you think about how they provide discount books for families that couldn't otherwise afford them. One woman told me she likes to shop at thrift stores because it allows her to have extra money to donate at church. 
4. Voucher programs- if a community member looses their possessions to a fire or some other tragedy, they can pick out things they need for free. (Wish I had heard about this earlier- I would have done a profile on a local woman whose house burned down.)
5. Great volunteer opportunity- The thrift stores in Harrisonburg have huge volunteer bases- often giving senior citizens a fulfilling activity to do in retirement, or court-mandated-community-service workers a really loving atmosphere to work in.
6. The people. Sometimes I visit thrift stores without intending to buy anything because the ladies I've met are just delightful. There are some really spunky, funny, kind, caring people out there and thrift stores are like a magnet for them. 

Well there you have it folks. And THAT is why I will never be a typical objective, un-biased reporter. It's not in my blood. But I will be a passionate storyteller. While the deadlines have not always been the kindest and there are some projects I wish I had filmed differently or spent more time editing, I have really enjoyed telling peoples' stories and look forward to doing it more in the future. As far as thrifting goes, I am excited to return to the activity as recreation rather than homework. Maybe that will be my next activity of leisure as I wind down from this semester. If I were to continue my hampster analogy, I guess I'd be hopping of the wheel for a little hay-burrowing or something, but I'm not sure that image really works quite as well. Hope you all get some time off the wheel!