TTS

The business world is a harsh world for me, but what more for the environment.

Aside from most people thinking about competing and beating each other's revenue, this world has been endlessly creating more carbon footprint to keep up with the demands and market trends.

Thriftedside is a brand created without producing new carbon footprint.

• We are a brand dedicated to curating styles, sustainably.

• We try to circulate garments and other items to maximize their life longevity.

• We are a brand curating styles for less.

Your willingness to change and explore the circular fashion is a self-awareness.

Shop by your values.

Make better choices without compromise.

Make better choices without compromising the environment.

Happy Tuesday, everyone 🤎

Thrifting is a fun way of hunting gems of the bargain.

Why do I thrift?

Thrifting is a fun way of hunting gems of the bargain. Here are a few reasons why:

Reusing

- Repurposing, recycling, reusing, buying from thrift stores is sustainable. Thrifting may not entirely resolve textile pollution, but it is one way to minimize carbon footprint.

- If I can still make use of it, I will maximize reusing it.

Reduced

- Reduced cost. Price is low. Good finds are within budget.

- Reduced carbon footprint. The environmental risk of fast fashion is exceedingly high. Buying secondhand, means you keep stuff out of landfills.

- Reduced price, reduced carbon footprint. It's a win-win.

The rarity

- Thrift shopping gives me more room for creativity, like mixing and matching colours, patterns, and fabrics, in a frugal way.

- Thrift shopping is expressing your uniqueness and individuality.

- I enjoy finding cool pieces matching my queer sense of style.

Thrifting gives me a personal sense of fulfilment. It is my way of self-care, of trying to live fashionably but sustainably and also my way of Art.

How about you? Why do you thrift?

The philosophy behind minimalism is to live a life with value and meaning. It is more than just getting rid of stuff. It's more than just picking the most neutral colours, the black and the white, more than the trend. It is about being conscious of what you have and what serves you.

I have friends who are into minimalism as a lifestyle and the way they practise it goes beyond the famous Instagram "aesthetic".

Let me be clear there is nothing wrong with the minimalist aesthetic or decor (unless it's a form of consumerism) because visual also has psychological impacts.

Even though I am not a minimalist, I deeply admire the idea of simplifying life.

There are key points from the movement which I take with me and challenge myself to apply in life. Key points I can look back whenever I feel like I'm losing my sense of direction.

These are the things I consider on trying to practise:

Being Functional and Intentional

The focal point of minimalism is functionality, knowing the intentions of what you have. When acquiring something into my life, I often ask myself, how will an item compliment my well-being? How will I make the most out of it? Am I fully committed to a specific lifestyle, or am I only confirming to what is trending? Will I allow myself to give in to what the market is trying to sell?

If that "minimalist" aesthetic or thing won't serve you for a long time, or will only give you temporary happiness, consider the purchase as a wasteful splurge.

I have to remind myself, "Simplistic" excess is still excess.

Passion and Purpose

There was a time in my life, I kept myself busy with work, even though I loath it. I did a lot of things which weren't helping me, cost me time. I thought it would force me to do more, but it didn't.

Then, I started to simplify things, to make room for creativity and improvement. I made more time for the important stuff, the ones serving me, helping others. I bounced back to my good old hobbies even if I'm not excellent in that field. I do things at my leisure and experience fulfilment.

We give less attention to the external forces distracting us away from our purpose.

By focusing on less, I did more. I can do more for myself and others.

Quality over Quantity

As cliche as it would sound, considering the quality over quantity applies to things and people. Do you receive genuine happiness being around the things or people you have in your life? Surface level relationships lack substance.

Simply choosing quality over quantity is efficiency. It saves you time, energy, money and heartbreaks.

Keeping and Letting Go

Minimalism isn't just about throwing away, but also knowing how to keep the ones with value.

Consider why you're keeping something in the first place, especially when it comes to material things.

I kept a note saying, "There is no such thing as "away". When we throw something away, it must go somewhere.".

When you let go of things, consider giving it a second home. But when you let go of people, consider it a lesson. Ask yourself. Are you willing to take back clutter in your life?

Minimalism is being mindful of what you have, what you will want to have while having the freedom from worries, environmental guilt and clutter(physical and mental).

Contentment

There is a fine line between limiting yourself from being content. That is knowing what gives meaning in your life.

Contentment is simply being in the moment, knowing that you have what you need, that what you need will eventually open more possibilities, that these possibilities yield a better life for you.

Minimalism is more than just millennial pop culture. Minimalism is a mindset. And practising a lifestyle of your choice isn't bad as long as you are aware of the core principles.

As for me, I am more on the maximalism side because I tend to keep things with history, the good ones, the ones I am willing to tell a story, yet I rarely consume new stuff of no value.

You will realize there is a common ground in each - minimalism, maximalism and essentialism. Whatever suits your liking as long as it's beneficial.

That path you choose, I hope it gives you deep significance and efficiency.

After all, a lifestyle doesn't have to be perfect, but it should align with what inspires you, your purpose, your comfort, and your peace of mind.

Do you miss dressing up? Do you miss planning your OOTDs? Do you think there's no reason to wear those clothes hanging on in your closet?

Yes, I do. Yes, I miss planning my OOTDs. And yes, we can still wear those clothes hanging in on our closets.

Dressing good, looking good, feeling good is implying there is still something you can do for yourself. You can consider it your little taste of freedom and your way of presenting how you run your course.

I know lockdown created the impression that we are not in control of our lives. We go through days stuck in uncertainties of this year's trying times.

There are different ways to cope with the new normal like learning how to bake or cook, launching an online business, getting more comfortable working out at home, reorganizing your home, reading more books, painting, gardening, and a whole lot more, dressing up is also a fun form of boosting productivity and self-care.

Wearing something good is empowering. It's subconsciously telling yourself that you are going to do amazing things and still look pleasing.

The new normal shouldn't stop you from conditioning and enhancing your self-esteem. Don't lose your style. Don't lose your identity. And being concerned about how you look doesn't mean you care less about the world.

Despite being stuck at home all day every day, take a bath, freshen up, do your skincare, wear that dress. Your lipstick is your war paint, apply it, and wear those shoes or heels like they are your shoes for combat.

Embracing uncertainty is hard, but again, there are ways to cope.

So go, wear that dress, even if you're not going anywhere, even if it's just a Zoom meeting. Do it as your way of preparing for work or school, only that you're not stepping outside. After all, it's highly necessary to stay at home and be safe from contracting Coronavirus.

Now go, you are allowed to look amazing. Look the way you want to present yourself.