How Goodwill Underwear Cheers Me Up

by Katy on May 27, 2013 · 7 comments

The following is a reprint of a previously published post. Enjoy!

I was on my way back from dropping my son off at his life guarding class this morning, when I  started to have a minor anxiety attack. This came complete with waves of nausea and a feeling that maybe I should start hyperventilating.

It wasn’t a good feeling.

I knew I had a ton of stuff to do in the next couple days, so much so that I had no idea where to start. So instead of heading home, I decided that a trip to Goodwill was in order. I’ve been really good about limiting my Goodwill trips, and haven’t set foot in my home away from home for a month or so.

I knew the timing of my day was tight, but frankly, I wasn’t up to facing my adult responsibilities without a little something something for myself.

My heart rate started to beat at a regular rate as soon as the automatic doors swooshed open.

Ahh . . . .

I ended up going to two different Goodwills, and here’s what I bought:

  • A pair of Nike brand basketball shorts for my younger son. They’re very cool and reversible. $2.50
  • A new looking pair of Crocs for my younger son. $3.99
  • A package of brand new Jockey brand underwear, marked $14.99 on the packaging. $2.99

I am fully aware how strange it may seem that I find it relaxing to shop for used underwear, shoes and shorts. Very few women would admit that this is their me time. But I can get a little nutso when I go too many days doing nothing but ferrying kids, cooking, cleaning, hostessing and housekeeping.

And to fully place me back in control of my sensibilities, I pulled the mini-van over to glean a nice big terra cotta flower pot from a free pile on my way home. (Which I promptly filled with compost soil and a handful of hens and chickens.)

I came home feeling somewhat in control of my life again. And all it took was a packet of Goodwill underwear.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

SarahN May 27, 2013 at 3:07 pm

Sometimes it’s the little things, isn’t it! When I’m down/out of kilter, an hour in a book shop just browsing cures me. I list up a lot of books to borrow form the library and otherwise just soak it up. You live it up with those socks and jocks!

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Kim Stewart May 27, 2013 at 8:24 pm

Isn’t it amazing how someone else’s discards can be such a treat and treasure. Today’s treasure for me was 3 yards of Marimekko vintage fabric in perfect condition! Priced at 6.99 but 1/2 price for the holiday. Oh yeah! Who says money can’t buy happiness….

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Katy May 27, 2013 at 8:28 pm

So jealous!

Katy

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JaneUlness May 28, 2013 at 2:37 am

my daughter and I went to goodwill. I got a pink tutu for my granddaughter and children’s books were .69. The joy of watching her twirl around was well worth the cost of the tutu.

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erin @ dfmi designs May 28, 2013 at 7:38 am

Ha! I totally understand where you are coming from. Deals & finds make me feel on top of the world. And reusing a cast-off or turning into something new, makes me feel oh so clever! 🙂

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Rowen G. May 28, 2013 at 9:57 am

The Tuesday morning seniors-half-price run: a nice piece of soft green linen, enough for a skirt and summer pants; a pair of 1930s painted iron Christmas candlesticks; a vintage Japanese “singing bowl”; a hand blown iridescent glass oil lamp; and a small heavy (ironwood?) older carving of a seal. All for $24. The oil lamp for a friend’s birthday, the linen, carved seal and singing bowl for me, and the candlesticks to sell to a dealer in vintage Christmas decorations.

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Rachel Gillespie May 31, 2013 at 1:17 am

The worst thing you can do when you’re having an anxiety attack is dash home. Staying out and about is far more helpful in the end. I should know – my other blog is about what it’s like to suffer from anxiety!

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