My parents weren't financially well-off at any time in their lives so sacrifices were made by them and us children throughout my childhood. It was due to hardships and particular events, sacrifices and difficulties, I learned some poignant lessons as a kid, in the home and out of it...and fortunately they've stuck with me; I say fortunately because I'm better for them.
Second hand things were a way of life, as was going without altogether; I can recall hating it, feeling sorry for myself and wishing life was different. I was a kid, that's normal. I also recall times when I reminded myself of how lucky I actually was; I had a roof over my head, food, a few toys to play with and clothes on my back.
Over time I learned the importance of valuing and caring for the things I had knowing it was unlikely I'd get another should I ruin them. That lesson stuck with me throughout my life, even despite having worked hard to put myself into a better financial position than my parents had; I can by whatever I want, when I want now, but I still have a need over want approach to things. I'm proud of it.
It always makes me sad to think about what my parents went through to raise their children; they're both gone now but thinking on those days never fails to make me respect them, feel deep gratitude and silently give thanks for their efforts and the lessons I've carried forward because of them. I look back and realise the great value I gained throughout my childhood, through the hardships and see how it's made me a better man.
A few days ago I put on the shirt you see in this image. It's a sleeveless shirt I've had for many years, almost twenty, and have worn countless times. It's faded, stretched out of shape and ill-fitting, has more than a few stitches missing and is a lot more tatty than the photo indicates, but it's good to go for for a long time yet! I love it today more than the day I bought it because it's imbued with moments of my life, and that's kind of cool.
A mate commented on it saying something like, it's time to get a new shirt bro.
I get it, it looks a little worse for wear and far from the slick item it was the day I bought it, but it's still ok and, besides, it's not like I wear it to work or anything. No mate, there's years left in this fucken thing, is basically what I said. He called me cheap.
I'm not cheap though, not even close.
I like nice things and buy quality items; a buy once, cry once situation that errs on the side of quality, and that costs money. I just don't buy for the sake of it. I apply a need over want ethos learned from my parents when I was very young and my habit of caring for the items I have: houses, vehicles, firearms, watches, tools, electrical goods...everything really, including my clothing, supports it. It makes sense to do so and it would go against my principles to do otherwise. Thanks parents.
It's easy to fall into a consumerist nature these days, society is leaned towards it and can be very wasteful, but I believe we should resist it and work harder to go back the other way, make better use of the things we have so as to replace them less. Not only is it financially responsible, it's better for the planet. I'm not a tree-hugging hippie by any stretch of the imagination, but I certainly love nature and hate waste as it impacts so heavily on the planet.
I learned to care for my things from a very young age, usually the hard way, and am pleased that's carried through despite now having the financial means to buy things as I need or want. That's why, I retain my old shirt even though it's a little tattered around the edges and faded.
I wonder what your thoughts are?
Have you have similar experiences to me and have they caused you to be more respectful and caring of your material possessions? Do you extend the life of your things so you need to replace them less frequently, and apply financial responsibility in respect of spending habits? Maybe you've gone the other way and have furnished your life with many new things you didn't need, and replace them often, because that's what you've always done or you want to spoil yourself now because you missed out previously? Maybe you even attach your sense and feeling of validity and self-esteem to the items you have?
Feel free to make some comments below, I'm interested to hear your stories and your take on it, or just share an item of clothing you've had for a long time and still wear proudly like my old shirt.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default; tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind - galenkp
[All original and proudly AI free.]
Any images in this post are my own.
