Why We Thrift
Have you checked out my IG lately? I started a new series sharing why second hand shopping gives me life! Now, I'm curious…
WHY DO YOU LIKE TO THRIFT?
… to channel your creative flair?
… to reduce your carbon footprint?
… to feed your addiction to the chase?
… to save your coin?
Indulge me! Send me a quick note about why you "stan" second hand shopping. Maybe I'll feature your answers on the next installment of
“Why We Thrift.” Exciting!
Allow me to Introduce myself
Hi, I’m Kia! I'm a US based thrift shopper on a mission to show you the best second hand stores around the globe. Whether I travel to a new part of town or a new country, I seek out the nearest charity shop. Simply put, I'm a thrift store groupie ❤️
Thanks for coming to my virtual hangout! It's like a first date but 10x less awkward. This thrifty community is a cozy space where we'll exchange tips, tricks and pics! So, kick back, grab a drink and join me in the hammock.
Isma, reach out to me directly anytime! Seeing your latest snags and hearing your stealthy tactics to score big give me life. And I promise to share my exclusive finds and inspiration along the way like…
My best thrift shopping tips and tricks
Useful information to kick your savings game into high gear
Interviews with second hand lovers (maybe you? ;)
Tried and true travel hints
Cheeky stories of my adventures abroad
My promise to respect your inbox
Right! On that note, check out my other blog posts, IG, and closet.
So glad you're here! Thanks for the love, my stylish, jet-setting friend!
Travel Diaries: Waves
I’ve experienced so much on the road. I’ve collected stories, pals, and of course second hand clothes. But the real beauty of my travels is how I’m drawing closer to myself. The highs, lows, blissfully beautiful and scary shadowy parts of inner me are constantly illuminated and magnetized. I have no choice but to deal. For this, I am grateful.
You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf - Jon Kabat-Zinn
It makes sense. Solo travel is an individual sport, a spiritual journey, the fulfillment of my dreams served with a side of the inevitable reality of disappointments. On some level, that is exactly what I hoped when I embarked into this lifestyle.
I’m learning how to ride the emotional waves. I’m far from graceful, not close to mastery but I’ve created a list of my tied and true methods. It’s a reminder for me and, I hope, a help to you along your personal journey inward.
Lonely
Self soothe by massaging your feet and neck
Listen to a podcast with familiar voices
Call a favorite friend or fam
Loopy
Do a grounding meditation
Unroll the yoga mat for a floor based practice
Hand to heart and belly. Just breathe
Doubtful of your power/strength/smarts
Psssh! Pull out receipts
Blast Lizzo
“I just took a DNA test. Turns out I'm 100%
that👏🏾 bitch👏🏾”
Lackluster energy
Dance! Freestyle or learn a choreography from the youtubes
Sing the song that is on your heart
Read or Journal to get out of your head
Stuck
Give yourself a deadline to make a decision
There is no right or wrong way, only the way I choose
What's your immediate next step? K. Do it.
Out of Ideas
Ask for help. From new buddies, strangers, your angels, Goddess. They want to help you
“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”― The Alchemist
Bored
Sit with that
Remind yourself what a luxury it is to feel boredom
Overly Busy
Reevaluate your priorities
Unapologetically remove energy vampires
Feeling Behind
Effe that. There is no such thing as a life template. Everything in perfect order and in perfect timing
Clenching to something/someplace
Remember the yogic principle of “Aparigraha.” Non- attachment to outcomes
Remove expectations. Simply be. Simply allow
You can't see all possibilities if you are holding onto one
Prolonged Chill Mode
Write down one mission for the day. Just one. Something that will move the needle forward. Now do it- no excuses. Tomorrow, complete the magic number, three.
Bonus: Lyrics Mood Boosters
“Refer to me as a goddess, I'm tired of being modest”
“…I am being pulled by something greater than me. And I intend to walk until my vision's clear and mind is still. Following that subtle voice within.”
“Cause I, I'm in love with my future. Can't wait to meet her”
“Woo, look up in the mirror, oh my God, it's me…I'm a prodigy. I'ma do my thing, no apologies”
"You must always know how long to stay and when to go.”
“I am divinity defined. I am the God on the inside. I am a star, a piece of it all. I am…”
Flying in Corona Times
“Due diligence is dizzying, but surprises at immigration is a bitch.”
I’ve traveled a lot. At one point, it was up to one trip per month. Maybe a work conference or a long weekend here, an (American length) vacation there, you get the picture. But air travel for an indefinite amount of time is a whole new ball game - especially if your epic world tour is interrupted by a global pandemic. How does one travel safely and responsibly when COVID is pervasive? Let me explain my experience flying during Coronavirus times.
Quick Background
I am an United States citizen traveling through Europe. I spent several months in the UK, a non-Schengen zone country. When COVID was at its height, the government generously extended my visa not once but twice. Eventually the final expiration date was drawing near and I had to make a plan. Returning to the US was not a consideration… or much of a desire aside from seeing my family. I also did not want to travel terribly far from my current location.
Get it? Got it? Good.
Mask, glasses, passport. Let's go!
Pre-trip
I studied travel regulations like I was preparing for the SATs (standardized testing for US university admissions). Sites like Can I Travel and IATA provided border opening updates and country regulations. I verified this information on the destination countries’ official embassy, immigration, and public health department sites. If I had questions, your girl emailed every address I could find on the website to make sure I was complying with the local laws. Due diligence is dizzying, but surprises at the immigration counter is a bitch.
For my selected country, I was required to fill out two forms. The first form declared my location in a safe-corridor country for 14-days prior to travel. The second form, requested contact details in case of an outbreak. I kept these forms in an “important documents” folder which also included:
Documentation proving of my whereabouts within an approved safe country for over 14 days
Printouts of the travel regulations from the government sites
My passport, of course
The Trip
The airline provided very clear instructions for travel day including arriving at the airport much earlier than normal. As someone who eliminates as much waiting time in airports as possible, I wasn’t thrilled but I complied. Everyone was required to wear a mask so I brought multiple in case of misplacement. I also wore my prescription glasses as added protection.
Other noticeable differences:
Hand sanitizer dispensers were literally everywhere. Please and thank you!
Signs for social distancing on the floor which weren’t strictly followed.
Flight attendants discouraged passengers from disinfecting the seats and tray tables. They said it would interfere with the disinfectant previously applied. I did it anyway. This is my practice in normal times so I damn sure did it on this trip. Okurrr!
Almost every seat on the plane was occupied. Good for the industry but not my preference.
Flight attendants gave frequent reminders to wear masks at all times.
Food and drinks were served but for an additional charge. Obvi, passengers were allowed to remove masks to eat and drink.
Passengers deplaned row by row. I’m a sucker for order so I appreciated this.
Overall, flying during Coronavirus times was a slightly more heightened but controlled experience. Everyone was more cautious and aware, which in turn made them more courteous. I felt a pinch more stress than when I normally fly, specifically when the ticketing agent double checked that US passport holders were allowed to travel to my destination of choice. I knew my stuff so I just waited for her to get up to speed. 😉
Special Note
Traveling was a necessity for me. Not because I wanted to (although I did), but because I did not want to violate visa regulations (i.e. overstay). Out of respect for the residents of my destination, I quarantined and carefully timed departure for a time when the virus stats dipped.
International air travel is a very touchy topic so, if you choose to take the risk, I hope my experience will help you have a safe trip.
Below are additional resources to help you on your way. ✈
Helpful sites
https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php
https://whdh.com/news/find-out-which-countries-are-welcoming-us-tourists-back/
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html