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What is Thrifting? 10 Life Lessons From a Decade of Second-Hand Shopping

By Rachel

published 02/12/2026

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I’m answering the question ‘what is thrifting?’ and what it’s taught me after a decade of second-hand shopping.

Do you remember the very first time you went thrifting? There was a wide range of emotions and all sorts of questions, right? It’s good to look back sometimes, realizing how far we’ve come in life. Reflecting back on my first thrift store outing, and my very first thrifted find, is the reason why my home is the way it is today. Recently, I realized that I’ve been thrifting for over ten years! So, I thought it would be fun to answer the age-old question ‘what is thrifting’? and give you 10 life lessons from a decade of second-hand shopping.

Simply put, ‘thrifting’ is the act of shopping at second-hand stores, garage sales, flea markets, or antique malls to source used items. But, after all these years of consistent hunting, I’ve learned a thing or two, and it’s so much more than just buying pre-loved goods. It’s a way of life.

Table of Contents

My 10 Year Thrifting Anniversary

After many years of thrift shopping for vintage decor, I’m sharing the ‘heart’ lessons that have transformed my home and my perspective.

Yes, thrifting allows one to secure items at a fraction of the original price, but for me it’s a lifestyle, and one that I’m so proud of. Years ago, I thrifted solely for the cheap price. Today, I thrift for the planet and peace of mind. Join me below for this special post!

The Benefits of Thrifting: Why It Matters More Than Ever

Truly, thrifting these days is about saving money wherever we can (because everything is SO expensive), but it’s also about contributing to eco-friendly practices and reducing waste.

Many of us, myself included, started thrifting because of budget constraints. Wanting to save money on needed items, the thrift store is where I first turned to do so. Yes, I do still thrift now because it’s cheaper than anywhere else, but I also stick around due to the sustainability factor.

With landfills filling up at such alarming rates, I feel I have a duty and an obligation to be a responsible consumer. Thrift shopping, which is the act of buying something that already exists without using any ‘new’ manufacturing processes, enables me to get what I need without disrupting the Earth.

Shop Timeless Decor Finds

What is Thrifting? 10 Life Lessons From a Decade of Second-Hand Shopping

I adore thrifting. It’s one of life’s greatest thrills! To walk into the thrift store, not knowing what’s on the shelves that day or what kind of digging I’m going to have to do, gets me so excited every time.

Recently, I had the realization that I’ve been thrifting for over ten years! I honestly couldn’t believe it because it doesn’t seem like it’s been that long.

So, I thought it would be fun to kinda take you on ‘a journey of Rachel’s thrifting’ where I’ll share some important and valuable lessons that I’ve gleaned along the way. I hope you enjoy it and that you can take away something to bring to your life, or your thrifting.

Lessons 1-3: Developing a Vision and Finding Quality

The first three lessons are all about evolving, as a thrifter and as a person.

Lesson 1: Patience is a Tool.

The very first thing that thrifting taught me, from day one, is that it’s not about ‘fast decor’.

Waiting for the right piece, and the right price, is of utmost importance. Sometimes you’ll wait a few days, sometimes it may take months or years to find ‘the one’. Patience is key and it will pay off!

Lesson 2: Quality is the Standard.

Thrifting has opened my eyes to what quality really means and looks like. I still have, and love, decor pieces from over a decade ago! I truly don’t tire of them because they are timeless, heirloom pieces that won’t ever go out of style.

Things such as genuine wood, vintage copper, brass, gilded frames and crystal glass are all items worth paying a little more for.

Lesson 3: See Beyond the Dust.

The vision lesson, such as how to spot potential in the broken, dirty and used, is a thrifting quality I will never take for granted.

There is so much life left in the cast-off’s of the vintage world. Just because something has a chip in it or it’s a little dusty, so what?! Bring it home, give it a little love, and it will teach you much more than you ever thought possible.

Lessons 4-6: Thrifting as an Eco-Friendly Practice

This next set are all lessons that thrift shopping has taught me about being a good steward of the environment.

Lesson 4: Sustainability is a Side Effect of Style.

Being that 90% of the things in my house are thrifted, it’s safe to say that my home lives and breathes eco-friendly, vintage decor. But it didn’t get this way overnight.

Through the choice to live sustainably, my home has become soulful and beautiful, thrifted piece by thrifted piece.

Lesson 5: Knowing When to Walk Away.

Thrifting has taught me the discipline of curated shopping versus over-consumption. You see, I can’t possibly buy every single item that I want at the thrift store…that’s just silly.

When I find something I like, I always ask myself a set of questions before buying. These questions keep me honest and, if I can’t answer more than half of them, I put it back, walk away, and leave it for someone else.

Lesson 6: Contentment Over Consumption.

This might sound like an oxymoron, but thrifting actually cures the need for more stuff!

Since it’s a very intentional way of shopping, I have learned to only buy what I absolutely need or 100% love. If I like something 90% of the way, that’s not enough for me to buy. Being content with just a few special finds is more than plenty.

Lessons 7-10: Creating a Soulful, Curated Home on a Budget

Finally, the last four lessons speak to my passion of styling a timeless, beautiful home without spending crazy amounts of money.

Lesson 7: Trends Are Temporary; Stories are Timeless.

Each new season or holiday, large retail chains flood their stores with the ‘latest and greatest’ decor. But you know what’s funny about that? A few months after that season or holiday has come and gone, I start seeing that same retail decor at thrift stores! People are done with it after just a few months because it’s not special…it’s just another thing they ‘had’ to have at the time and are now sick of.

And that, my friends, is why the stories held in thrifted and vintage decor are timeless! I still adore the pieces that I found over ten years ago and they still look current. Why? Because they stand the test of time with their heritage appearance and quality craftsmanship.

Lesson 8: Every Object Has a Story.

I’ve learned over the years that every found item has a story behind it. I don’t know what the story is but I do know that I’m now the steward of that old thing. I get to write it’s next chapter and become a part of it’s story and I just think that’s SO cool, every time.

Yes, things are just ‘things’ and I get that. But, the ‘thing’ might have been used for special family dinners or placed on someone’s wall and it made them happy. Who am I to judge?

Lesson 9: Interior Design is a Skill That Does Not Come With a High Price Tag.

Thrifting has also taught me how to style and design the interior of my home beautifully without the high price tag. You see, I’ve learned, through trial and error, how to mix thrifted finds throughout my spaces to create a curated look. From furniture to lamps to decor, all of it’s been thrifted, for over half the price of retail, and I love it more than any brand new piece ever.

Designing interior spaces with thrifted and vintage finds not only saves money, but allows for so much character and soul. I’ll choose that over and over.

Lesson 10: A Home is a Journey, Not a Destination.

The core philosophy of The Antiqued Journey truly is seeing the beauty of the evolution, curated over time, piece by piece.

In my eyes, my home will never be ‘finished’. Thrifting has taught me that there is such wisdom in never being ‘done’. Truly, as a person, I will never be done growing, learning, evolving, and becoming better. The same can be said for my home.

When I find another piece of decor whether it be milk glass, copper, a lamp, or something else, there is always ‘tweaking’ to be done to make space for the newest item. I’m constantly re-arranging, painting a wall, re-painting the same wall (in a different color), or trying something new.

Every part of me is always on a journey, never complete, and that’s why God offers me a new day.

Closing Tidbits on What is Thrifting? 10 Life Lessons From a Decade of Second-Hand Shopping

Thrifting is much more than a way to buy used stuff-it’s a way to live intentionally.

It’s my sincere hope that you can take a few tidbits, with these ten lessons from a decade of second-hand shopping, and apply them to your life. It is extremely rewarding, and a breath of fresh air, choosing to thrift goods over brand new.

Be encouraged to mindfully consume less, finding meaningful lessons along the way.

Leave me a comment! How long have you been thrifting? What’s the biggest lesson it’s taught you? I love hearing from you!

Follow Along with The Antiqued Journey

If you are new here, I’m Rachel, the writer and content creator here at The Antiqued Journey. I’m so happy to have you! I encourage you to stop by the ‘about me’ page to get to know me a little more.

Here on the blog, you will find loads of inspiration for decorating with vintage and antique decor, simple DIY crafts and many thrifting adventures. If that interests you, I invite you to sign up for my e-mail. You will receive a free digital download as a thank you!