If you’ve been doing thrift shopping for a while now, then you know the attraction to pre-loved items that have and continue to stand the test of time. But then the pandemic struck, and now we all collectively know how many tiles our various rooms are divided into? What’s that? You don’t? Fine, but you get the drift.
It’s been a sad time really, and this pandemic has taken a toll on most of us. Not being able to go out and see loved ones was hard. Getting stuck indoors as we feared the very worst was even harder. 2020 was a lot and honestly, you should speak to someone about it.
One thing many people have found helped get them through is therapy. Whether it’s done in person or online, the truth is that there are many feelings from the past 10 months that we all need to sort through. There are so many types of psychotherapy so it’s not that hard to find a type that works well for your needs. So, if you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional.
As retail shops open gradually, we are all getting used to living alongside the pandemic while staying safe. We’re sure you’re wondering if it’s safe to go thrift shopping as you gradually resume your other activities. The answer is yes, here’s how to keep safe while doing so.
Create a Shopping List
Your aim when shopping in the store should be to spend as little time as possible. So, going in with a list will help speed things up. That way, you’ll know exactly what section to head for. You won’t be able to try things on because most stores have closed their fitting rooms to keep shoppers safe. They’ll however have an increased return window so ask for that while making your purchase.
Use Your Personal Protective Equipment
Make sure that the store you’re going to is observing COVID-19 safety precautions like hand washing, sanitization of touch surfaces, and wipe downs. They should also have measures in place, like mandatory 6 feet distance between shoppers and the use of masks. Alongside these, go out with your own masks and hand sanitizers.
Don’t Take Out Your Own Carry Bag
The problem with going out with a carry bag is that you’ll take it back home with you. That provides too much risk of exposure. Make sure the store provides bags that you can then safely discard when you get home.
No Cash
The best kind of payment is the one where you have no contact with the cashier. So that means cash that will possibly need change and cards are out of the question. Some stores have set up touchless payment options at their store, so check if the one you’re headed to has done the same.
Clean and Sanitize Your Finds When You Get Home
The stores might have already increased their cleaning and sanitization, but you need to do the same. Make sure every thrift item you buy is washed again. This will give you the much needed extra level of safety.
Stay Home and Shop Online
You don’t have to shop local, even though I highly recommend you to support your local small businesses. There are a good deal of thrift options now available online. From amazon to eBay and personal thrift shops websites and Facebook Groups, you’ll find a bargain. You can also check Facebook stores and Instagram too. While we do all these remember we should all do our best to stay safe in these trying times. You’d do well to remember that not only your physical health is at stake. So is your mental health. But with the right online help, as we do our best to stay safe physically, we’ll all get through this.