When everything shut down during the pandemic, I, like everyone else, was so bored. No cafes, I have to make my own coffee, no meet-ups with friends, just endless walks around my apartment and way too much time online. But the moment thrift stores started opening back up? I was THERE. Mask on, hand sanitizer in my bag, ready to hunt for treasure.
There’s something about thrifting that just makes my heart happy. The randomness, the nostalgia, the thrill of finding something amazing for $3? Unmatched. And let me tell you—I found some gems.
1. Turquoise Roller Blades – Living My '90s Fantasy
I saw them on the shelf and literally gasped. A pair of turquoise roller blades, barely used, in my size. 😭 Like, was this fate? I grew up watching American movies where kids skated around their neighborhoods, and I always wanted to try—so obviously, I bought them.
Did I almost fall five times my first ride? Yes. Did I feel like a 90s cool girl while doing it? Also yes.
2. A VHS Player – Because Nostalgia Is Real
I don’t even know why I wanted one so badly, but the second I saw a perfectly working VHS player, I had to have it. It felt like rescuing a piece of history.
The best part? I started collecting old tapes too—some Disney movies, some random workout videos from the 80s, even a homemade wedding tape (which I obviously did not watch, but still, wild).
Now I just need a box TV to complete the aesthetic.
3. An Old Corded Phone – For No Practical Reason
Did I need a vintage corded phone? No.Did I buy one anyway? Of course.
Something about having a real landline phone just felt so fun and dramatic. Like, imagine sitting on the floor, twirling the cord around your finger while spilling tea with your best friend. That’s the vibe.
It doesn’t even work (I don’t have a landline), but who cares? It looks cute.
4. A Camcorder – My Inner Filmmaker Awakened
This was my best find. A tiny, early 2000s camcorder, still working, with a tape inside (!!!). The mystery! The possibilities! I had to take it home.
I spent an entire weekend filming random moments—cooking, walking around my apartment, even roller blading badly—just to feel like a nostalgic indie movie character. The grainy footage? Perfection.
Final Thoughts: Thrifting Is Therapy
There was something comforting about finding old things during such a weird, uncertain time. It felt like a little reminder that life moves in cycles, that the past always comes back in some way.
Plus, now I have a VHS collection, a cute useless phone, and roller blades that make me feel like a kid again—and that alone makes all the thrift trips worth it. 💛
Comments