Keep the Change: Why the Unknown is Good

We plan wedding dates. Doctor check-ups. Job interviews. Reservations for a restaurant. What underwear to wear (depending on the outfit). Majors for college, while we are in middle school. We even use planners, calendars, I-Phone note pads, etc. We pine away all night thinking about the day’s details and what tomorrow holds in store. So why is it, after every day of having the unexpected happen, that we still try to plan out our lives?

 Well, take it from the girl who already has the paint of her future house picked out: change should be embraced, not avoided.

 
SCENE: “Uncertainty”

SETTING: Freshman Year, First Semester

Last year, during my first semester of college, change hit me like the big ice cream truck that drives around Albright’s campus. I was unsure of all of my decisions. My college. My majors. My future job. My hair color.

I was having a mid-life crisis at the age of 18. Was it really that extreme? Actually, yeah. I felt like I hadn’t gotten into the rigorous musical theatres programs that I had so desperately wanted to get into. I got wait-listed to the college I would have donated ligaments to get into (heh, joking). Albright was the only college with 100% financial aid guaranteed, which I needed because of my family’s financial hardship. My boyfriend was working full-time, I hardly had any friends, and I didn’t have a roommate. Naturally, I cried. A LOT. I wasn’t trying out for shows because I was obsessed with having my grades be perfect. I got an on campus job, but was afraid to volunteer for hours because I wasn’t sure if I would do everything properly. I wanted to be perfect. Have everything perfect. I mean, we start planning for college from elementary school, so isn’t everything supposed to be perfect?

            My obsession drove me insane, and it wasn’t until I let change into my life that everything fell into place. Suddenly, I was gifted with a roommate. Someone who is now, practically, my sister. She introduced me to more people, and slowly I began to befriend everyone in my hall—people I hid from before. I accepted that I hadn’t gotten into the top colleges that I had applied to, but, I was blessed enough to be receiving a worthwhile education at a reputable (and caring) college. One that I love x’s 100. Remember, not everyone is given the privilege of college! I changed my triple major to Theatre/Communications, and haven’t looked back since. I got an additional on-campus job, and a lead in the Spring play. Things turned positive for me, things changed in my life.

 
This is why humans struggle. We all fear change and avoid it like the “Black Plague”. We set our lives up to fit our personal standards/wants/goals, only to have them constantly altered. If you don’t know what you’ll be eating for dinner tomorrow, how can you know what your job will be in 5+ years? Pursue your dreams to the fullest, but let other opportunities present themselves to you. Too many times we prepare our track for ourselves, only to block out all other possibilities.


And so, my readers, I leave you with this last piece of advice:

It’s okay, keep the change.

 

 

Plato's Closet: A Review from a First-Time Shopper

Well, I guess Plato wasn't just a philosopher.. because his closet is pretty rad too.

About a week ago, (*cues rap music*) I visited the widely discussed and debated "Plato's Closet". I use the word "debated" because the reviews for the second-hand clothing store are quite mixed. I read everything on Google from "the girls laughed at me because my clothes weren't the quality they deemed appropriate" to "they won't give you any money, so why bother". Yikes. to put it gently. So, after reading the scary reviews, I decided to try to sell some of my things to them anyway.

First and foremost, let me say that I'm guessing every store of this chain is quite possibly different. I visited the Plato's Closet in Exton, PA, so my review could be the opposite of another shopper's experience. This disclaimer written, here is what I found upon my trip to "Plato's Closet":

There wasn't any laughing, or taunting for that matter. Quite the contrary! I was welcomed and asked if I would be selling anything. I gave them my bag of Betsey Johnson purses and a couple Juicy Couture bracelets, and away they went into a bin. I filled out a little slip on a computer, and got a receipt with my info on it. Basically, they are curious if you have any "designer" goods and have to know your basic info. Above the computer, hanging from the ceiling, is a TV monitor that displays whose clothing/merchandise has been successfully reviewed. Wait limits can be long if it is crowded, however, it only took about 20 minutes for mine to be processed.

While I waited, I got to finally take a look at the store I had been hearing so much about! And boy, was I surprised. Designer labels. Everywhere. Coach, Lily Pulitzer, Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang, etc. I couldn't believe it all! Never again will I buy Vera Bradley for full price--Plato's Closet had bags anywhere from 3$ to 20$. But think about it, these prices compared to the upwards of 100$ that you would normally spend. It truly was delightful! Racks were filled with current trends and TONS of clothes. Most priced at 3$ a piece.

Okay, Em, we all know you're a shopaholic. Oh, me? What did I get? I invested 18$ in a brand new pair of Coach shoes and 3$ on a Victoria's Secret PINK shirt. And I got super-cute sunglasses in the mix too. Totally forgot about those bad-boys.

So, after practically drooling over the shelves and asking my sisters (several times) if they had carts in the store, my clothes were done being reviewed. Here's the sad part, none of my clothes were accepted. Which, I will admit, made me a little distraught at first. But, when I listened to why they couldn't buy them, I totally understood. Juicy Couture really isn't in anymore. Hence, why I was selling my bracelets/necklaces. Plus they told me Juicy is being sold at Kohls--which I'm guessing, takes it out of the luxury category. Truth be told, it is sold at Kohls, and mostly on clearance. Sorry, Juicy, no hard feelings. They told me my Betsey Johnson bags were in great shape but haven't sold well at the store before. This, I get too. Styles change! They weren't exactly the "boho chic" trend that is hip right now. So yeah, I respected their fashionista opinions.

My biggest point about my visit that I wish to stress is how pleasant the workers were. They were super helpful and accommodating. I think maybe some of the negative reviews on the Plato's Closet chain were either at different stores, or from bitter sellers who got squat for their Goodwill items. If Plato's Closet is packed with Gucci, Coach, etc., it is no wonder  they can't accept just any-old-thing. Without quality items, there isn't any quality store. Business is business, after all. Picture them as buyers for a fashion company--which they basically are.

There wasn't any hair-pulling. Crying. Hysterics. Just honest advice on my clothes and help purchasing everything I wanted. An easy, and definitely fun experience! I recommend all to check a store out and stock up on some designer goods. For us broke people with expensive taste, it was heaven on Earth.

Oh, and they called me today (exactly one week later) too. A girl asked me about my shopping experience and if I had any critique for the store. Now that's customer service.

Remember readers, you're never too old to play with "Plato".