February at Experienced Goods
Growing up, I was not a sporty child. Shy, overweight and lacking confidence (not to mention clueless as to the rules of outdoor games), I was the proverbial last kid picked for the team and the “easy out.” That’s not to say I wasn’t physically active: I could spend a whole day playing outside by myself and loved to go on hikes and rambles. But sports, with its imperative to compete, score points and win? No, thanks. I would beg my teachers to let me stay inside during recess, offering to decorate bulletin boards or tidy the classroom. Then at around age 14, I discovered running, and with it the concept of personal best, pushing myself to run longer, pacing myself and sustaining my energy. My mother wouldn’t let me run on our shoulderless country roads, so I ran lap after lap on the sidewalk ringing our house, wearing out my Nikes and once tripping on the garden hose and spraining my ankle. But I kept at it, challenging my body and discovering unknown reserves of endurance. It was also meditative and gave me uninterrupted time to think and dream. At last, a sport tailor-made for my introverted self.
Beyond the benefits of physical exercise, pushing myself past my comfort zone has been a life skill that has helped me to grow as a person. Every workplace has its challenges, including Experienced Goods, but as a team we are generally a pretty can-do bunch. Stay afloat while weathering a pandemic? Been there, done that. Move the entire store to a new, better location? Sure, bring it on! Rearrange the sales floor to be more appealing and to highlight the seasons or restructure the entire book department? Of course, no problem. Every new idea, every innovation or improvement requires all of us to push ourselves to be open and to step up to the plate when needed, and we all do, even when at first blush the newness feels crazy. I remember when we set up the Lucky Laundry bin (less-than-perfect clothes for only $2 each!); I was beyond dubious that it would work. I was sure no one would shop it, and that it might exacerbate an already frustrating shoplifting problem. I was so wrong! Shoppers love the LL Bin, and as far as we can tell, shoplifting has not shifted one way or the other. It's also a way for us to sell clothes that are interesting or attractive but flawed in such a way that we can’t put them on the regular racks. Truly, everyone wins with the LL Bin.
As I write this, we have just made it through a real Vermont snowstorm, one that dumped up to 20 inches in some places. The Friday and Saturday before the storm, the shop was wildly busy, putting me in mind of grocery stores before a big weather event. Folks were buying snow pants and skates instead of bread and milk, but the feeling of urgency and excitement were the same, and instead of stockpiling food for an emergency, people were outfitting themselves to have as much fun as possible in the snow. This is also a way of pushing one’s self, embracing an inevitable thing and seeing its potential for a positive outcome. Along with snow, February brings a noticeable return of the light as we turn the corner toward spring, and the sweet, love-filled holiday of Valentine’s Day. Our jewelry department has been exceptionally enticing lately, thanks to the expertise of Gemma and Emma. So many beautiful adornments that would make wonderful gifts for someone special.
What else says “I love you”? Anything you can think of that would make someone happy. Books, fun, dressy clothes, champagne glasses? An almost-brand-new snow blower (Yup, we have one)? I always feel a little giddy this time of year, even amidst all the sadness and worry many of us are feeling lately. Spring is coming. I am dreaming of the boxes of pastel-colored clothes I will be opening and hanging in a little over a month. Garden seeds are calling for me to start them growing indoors. I have a narcissus bulb about to bloom on my kitchen windowsill. Here’s to pushing ourselves through the rest of winter with grace and fortitude, staying flexible, open and hopeful.