The Curse of the Cart

They say the cart is cursed.

Seasoned thrifters know this rule by heart: the moment you grab a cart, the shelves suddenly feel empty. The aisles look picked over. Everything feels… fine. Not bad. Just not it. You wander longer than you planned, convincing yourself you’re being patient, when really the thrift gods have already decided today is not your day.

But come in “just browsing”?

That’s when it happens.

You didn’t plan to find anything. You didn’t bring measurements. You didn’t even clear space at home. And yet somehow, you’re now balancing armfuls of treasures like a raccoon who bit off more than they could carry — praying nothing shatters before you make it to checkout.

This is the curse of the cart.

Expectation repels magic. The cart tells the universe you came prepared, hopeful, maybe even confident. And thrifting, like life, doesn’t reward that kind of certainty. It rewards wandering. Curiosity. Low expectations and open hands.

The best finds never announce themselves. They show up when you’re not looking, when your guard is down, when you’re moving slowly and letting your intuition lead instead of your checklist. A piece finds you, not the other way around.

Today was one of those days.

I didn’t come in with a plan. I didn’t expect anything special. And somehow, I left carrying pieces that felt like they had been waiting patiently for a second life. The kind of objects that already have stories etched into them worn edges, softened brass, a little imperfect, a little magic.

Maybe the cart isn’t cursed at all.

Maybe it’s just a reminder.

Don’t force the hunt.

Don’t rush the find.

And trust that what’s meant for your home will always find its way to you .. especially when you least expect it.

Next time, I might still grab the cart…

But I’ll try not to let it know I care.

🛒