Does "Thrift" Therapy Work?
Experiment #2: Haul out the credit card for some intentional purchases designed to spark delight. My $35 haul, fuchsia suede skirt, 70's denim romper + 2¢ on loss aversion.
To me, what makes thrifting compelling is the irregularity of the win.
It’s like gambling: you never know when you’re going to hit the jackpot. So, you keep playing. Because when you score a windfall, your brain lights up. (Or, however neuroscientists describe it). The kicker is that you can’t predict when it will arrive... which makes it all the more alluring.
Why I Chose this Experiment:
It’s no secret that “retail therapy” semi-works. It’s instant gratification. Is it a replacement for real therapy? Absolutely not.
But, for the purpose of this “joy experiment” I wanted to see how much real joy I derived from this trip to the thrift store.
I conducted this experiment initially thinking I’d strategically make some purchases to spark joy, but I found joy (and loss) in the strangest of places…
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