Resilience, Shutdowns, and the Art of Thrifting

When times feel uncertain—like during a government shutdown—it’s easy to feel stretched thin. Budgets tighten, routines shift, and the steady rhythm of work and life can feel just a little offbeat. In moments like these, hashtag#resilience isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a skill, one we practice over and over again.

As I frequently do, I found myself strolling through the aisles yesterday at my local thrift store. I'd stopped by on my way home after spending the day with some of my colleagues that I hadn't seen (other than on Teams calls) at a company event. 

Oddly enough, I’ve found that the kind of resilience we need during these times feels a lot like thrift shopping (yes, I know...a simplification). If you’ve ever spent a Saturday morning wandering through a thrift store or flea market, you know it’s not for the impatient. You sort through clutter, dig through dusty shelves(walking away covered in much of that dust), and sometimes walk away empty-handed. But when you find that one special piece—copper & brass coffee pot, a silver filigree picture frame, or beautiful music box (all of which I found yesterday)—it makes every moment worth it!

That’s resilience in motion.

Just like in a thrift store, getting through a shutdown (or any season of uncertainty) takes three things:

1️⃣ Patience. You won’t always find what you’re looking for right away. Some days, the shelves feel empty. But trust that there’s value waiting to be uncovered when you keep showing up.

2️⃣ Perspective. In thrift shopping, what looks worn to one person is treasure to another. In stressful times, perspective helps you reframe challenges as opportunities. Reset, reflect, or reinvent how you work and live.

3️⃣ Presence. The best finds happen when you slow down and notice details others overlook. The same goes for maintaining mental health. Pause. Breathe. Appreciate small wins.

Resilience isn’t about pretending everything’s fine. It’s about finding beauty and meaning in the process of searching. It’s about believing that the next “find” (the next opportunity, the next stable stretch, the next small joy) is still out there, waiting for you to uncover it.

So if you're feeling uncertain, take heart. 🩷 You’re just in the middle of the hunt. Keep showing up, keep looking closely, and keep believing there’s something good still waiting on the shelf.

And if you're still struggling to find your own resilience, don't struggle alone. Reach out to a friend, a co-worker, a neighbor, anyone. Whatever it takes to get your through this moment and on to the next.