starlifters

[starlifters]

Why I Borrow

Brief background information: I’m privileged enough to afford some things I’m lower middle class and very thankful for that. I have a huge fear of getting in trouble ever since I was little I cried when I first got lunch detention because my parents didn’t sign something in middle school.

At first I did it on accident when I was 12 and I was honestly shaking when I realized what I did and just ahhh and then after my friend calmed me down I started to worry more bit because I stole but because o realized I don’t feel bad I genuinely liked the scared feeling the adrenaline

It’s been a while and then when I was 13 I remembered that moment and was curious on how I would feel if I did it on purpose. So I stole a eyeliner , in my head I was thinking you see this is something I need and it’s extremely over priced for what it’s in it and its manufactured by shitty people and it’s something I use everyday why should I pay, which I am more educated but still kinda feel that way.

Anyways I felt excited the fact I got a way with it I was so nervous till I walked out the door then the huge relief that I made it out

It was a feeling I crave, mostly because it was a feeling. I was diagnosed with sever major depressive disorder and I’m not really gonna go in to the thingys behind it but point is my body doesn’t let me feel until it’s all at once so I am in a constant feeling of numbness.

So the fact it made me feel something was addicting. So I kept doing it and I still do

I will never and have never done small business and only big corporations and I understand the workers also suffer so I always try and buy something as well when I borrow and try to give money to the workers just to be like hey you are doing a good job please take this.

So I try to even out the karma in life with the universe and I’m aware it’s bad but it’s addicting and the challenges and thrill

But I do it with the feeling for selfishness because humans are selfish being but I try to even it out

[starlifters]

things to |!ft to donate to homeless shelters

i volunteered at a shelter for quite a while before covid so if you’re looking to give back to your community this is a list of things homeless shelters and homeless people are in need of. please add to this post if you have more ideas!

any travel size hygiene products

this means deodorant, shampoo, body wash, toothpaste (and toothbrush), mouthwash, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, lotion, chapstick, things like that.

shelters will be more in need of the shampoo and body wash. the shelter i volunteered at had private individual showers and gave each person their own thing of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash like you see in hotels. they even suggested that you take those and donate them if you stay at a hotel.

TAMPONS AND PADS

i can’t empathize this enough. homeless people who menstruate and are in shelters need these so badly and people rarely think to donate them.

clothing

sure, this is assumed, but what type of clothing exactly? first, SOCKS! number 1 most needed clothing item homeless people say they need. clean, warm socks. after socks things like underwear and hats and gloves are most sought after. especially with a lot of places in the northern hemisphere getting colder now. if you can, sturdy shoes and bras.

larger/bulky items

backpacks or suitcases, blankets, tents, some outdoorsman stores have compact camping mats or mattresses that fold up really small. solar powered camping lamps, flashlights

food

with food you need to think,

will it stay good for a long time?

can it be eaten without outside tools?

does it look like it won’t taste bad?

if the answer is yes to these questions snatch it.

things like canned goods with the pull tabs are great, check for protein bars, raisins, pretzels, jerky, nuts, hell even candy don’t just go for necessities. when possible go for water too.

miscellaneous

these are probably what a capitalist would call “luxury items” or “comfort items.”

hand warmers, books, lighters, nice reusable bottles (easy to clean without a dishwasher though), a reusable utensils set, a box of plastic sandwich bags, hair ties, makeup, watches, reusable masks

it’s rough for a lot of people right now. i know some of y’all have incredible talent in this community. personally i’m going to use this list to practice praxis and be a little bit of a local robin hood next time i’m out. lmk if you use this!

[starlifters]

tips af !!

mind you this is what works for me!!! i know some people would rather avoid every person in the store & stay as unseen as possible but this is what i’ve done and i haven’t gotten caught!! and reminder WEAR YOUR MASK. if you can hide your hair too, then amazing do it!!!

1. as soon as you walk into the store greet the tellers or people at the door, they will not suspect you if you’re generally kind! (if there is a cop at the outside of the door i would not recommend borrowing there)

2. joke around with the workers & be extra friendly

3. depending on what you’re getting prepare for the bag you’re going to use. (ex. makeup small bag) (sodas & candys big bag)

4. if you’re going into a specific store bring shopping bags from previous purchases & even better if you save the receipt. (ex. walmart bag at walmart when you’re leaving; but if they r checking bags DO NOT DO THIS.

5. if you are planning on buying something switch the tags for the cheapest possible one you can find. (ex you’re at target buying flowers, choose the most expensive flowers but then switch the tag for the cheap lilly flower ones)

6. when you finally get stuff in your bag go up to a worker and ask for something you know they won’t have. (ex. go into cvs borrow makeup and then ask if they have a specific swishmellow, they say they don’t bc they never have it then they won’t suspect you for leaving empty handed.)

7. if you plan on buying anything at all, pay in cash. if you use a card your name will pop up in the system and they will know.

8. a lot of workers aren’t legally allowed to accuse you of stealing so if a worker comes up to you and says something along the lines of ‘do you need any help finding anything’ or ‘i love your bag’; they definitely know but just are waiting for you to leave or for the police to get there so leave immediately.

9. a lot of workers are not allowed to chase you. so if you get caught or someone stops you just keep walking or try and or talk your way out of it.

10. basic rules of borrowing is to never steal from family owned or small owned businesses. also good rule of thumb to not steal from target or macy’s. if you go over 400$ worth of stolen stuff from those stores they will try to prosecute you in court for the highest charge of shoplifting & that is game over.

11. take advantage when you’re going one trips to new places because you will not be going back there & they can’t do anything if you don’t live there

12. remember again, WEAR A MASK. they cannot see half your face !!!

13. if you’re planning of just borrowing tiny things, stuff your bra and shoes, they can’t body search you.

14. be fast, if the store calls the cops on u then it’s a time game.

15. go in each store with the intent that you’re going to get caught and prepare for worst case scenario. make story’s up in your head and have a contact saved in your phone as ‘mom’ who’s not actually you’re mom but someone who can pick you up or lie their way out for you.

16. change your appearance frequently. even if someone knows sometimes they won’t do anything but will tell coworkers & mark you as a shoplifter.

17. take a break from borrowing when you need it, nobody talks about how it can become addictive. 3 months breaks are sometimes necessary.

18. stay safe and be careful