Do you throw away old things?

@zandi458 (28102)
Malaysia
November 20, 2008 3:10am CST
I've been thinking. Sounds trite but I have. What I have been thinking about are people and things. New things. Both are good subjects at any time and in act very much connected to each other. Most new things are worshiped today and because of a skewness in the human mind, most old things, except in a small minority of people, are not given too much attention. The prevailing attitude is that old things, even if they are not very old, have to be discarded because people want to feel they are progressive and up to date. People want to be regarded as sophisticated, as if sophistication is something desirable. What really is disturbing is the fact that this attitude to the new has become a religion. It applies to almost everything we see around us, in homes, in clothes, in furniture, in behaviour, in attitudes to life and so on. To give you an indicator of what I'm talking about, I met a young rather well-educated woman (if you can rely on a series of degrees as being a reasonable indicator of being educated) who in the course of a conversation said to me that she never wore an evening dress twice. Once used it became old and needed to be discarded, mainly because people would recognise it if it was worn again. I thought how ridiculous to hold such foolish notions, and I told her rather bluntly that she had more money than brains. However as time goes by I hear and see more and more of that kind of thing being practised. I wonder how many of you still practised this sort of thing, discard the old welcome the new, in your life. We may feel continuous change is an important part of the newer cultures to which we belong. But there is a lot more that we have to learn; like learning to appreciate the things we have, caring for them not being over influenced by contemporary postures, being thankful for small mercies and living within our means.
13 people like this
51 responses
@umart13 (841)
• Ireland
22 Nov 08
Dear zandi458, you have asked a question on a very interesting topic. I am a bit old fashioned as I grew up with my grandparentsin Ireland, so I do remember the way people used to mend their clothes and bring the shoes to the cobbler to get them re-soled or re-heeled. I also have a tendency to re-use bags, keep elctrical things in case I need them again and to wear my clothes as long as possible. This is all great and I believe it. However, I have developed one bad habit and that was collecting lots of newspapers and magazines (especialy on business related matters) and was unable to throw them away. After reading an article in Reader's Digest I recognized this as being "obsessive compulsive" behaviour. Since then I have dealt with this tendency to collect and not let go of information, which was unhealthy and untidy. Nowadays I try to keep a healthy balance between my love for old things and not being afraid to let go.... Have a nice weekend. Umart
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
23 Nov 08
Maybe I can described myself as "obsessive compulsive behaviour' too as I find it difficult to part with my old books, magazines and other reading stuff. They become part of my treasured collection and I do often add up to these old books by buying more of old books from 2nd hand shop. It has become part of a hobby collecting old books and magazines which I find interesting articles to read.
@umart13 (841)
• Ireland
23 Nov 08
I think it's a great hobby and I too have spent many years happily searching through second-hand book shops. I just have to find a place to put the books, so that I am not smothered by them. Too many, especially in bedrooms, cannot be healthy, because of the dust-mites and mice they attract. Keep enjoying your hobby. All the best. UMart
1 person likes this
@umart13 (841)
• Ireland
10 May 09
Hey Zandi458, Many thanks for the best response. Have a good week. Umart
1 person likes this
@bombshell (11256)
• Germany
20 Nov 08
i am keeper just like this old top.i have this since i was 26 yrs old and now i cant imagine how happy i am.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
21 Nov 08
@bombshell (11256)
• Germany
21 Nov 08
thanks zandie
1 person likes this
@bombshell (11256)
• Germany
20 Nov 08
me again with my very old top! - i am a old keeper.this top is very old and still fits after pregnant.
here the pic
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
20 Nov 08
I have things around me that are very old . I wouldnt throw away on a bet!. most of my clothes are 4 to 5 years old some older I only replace if they come worn and tattered. Throwing away an evening dress only wore once is way out of it. put it back in the closet buy a new one sooner or later you can wear it again! THere is alot we save in our minds and memories that cant be thrown away and it is good to keep them always.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
21 Nov 08
If worn out or broke goes in the garbage
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
21 Nov 08
I think old things clutter our home and in no time our house will turn like a meseum if we keep holding on to old things. some things are meant to be kept and some should be given away.
@suruchi86 (1873)
• India
17 May 09
I don't have habit of throwing old things easily, unless they have become completely useless. I always try to recycle them or try to sell them to junk dealers or give to some needy person.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
17 May 09
It is better to give then to receive, so give away those you think are no longer useful to you. They may be useful to others especially the poor and needy.
@suruchi86 (1873)
• India
18 May 09
Yes, I agree, giving is always a better option.
@bombshell (11256)
• Germany
20 Nov 08
i dont throw old things.i am a keeper.just like this old top(brown).i have this when i was 26 yrs old and now i cant imagine after pregnant i still can use it!.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
21 Nov 08
You are a thrifty person who don't discard things unnecessarily.
@bombshell (11256)
• Germany
21 Nov 08
thanks zandie
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Nov 08
I don't like junk or clutter around. I hold onto things that I will use again or are hard to replace to have special memories.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
21 Nov 08
Those things that hold good memories should be treasured and well kept. You might never find them again if you are going to discard them.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
21 Nov 08
no one liker clutters so whatever things you do not need you might as well give it away to the needy.
@KrauseHome (36449)
• United States
31 Jan 11
Back when I was getting ready for like 8th grade I think, our family did not have the $$ really for New clothes for school as there were 5 of us, so a lot of times my parents would either rely on hand me downs from others we knew, or go to Yard Sales and get New clothes, or new to us clothes. I can remember one place that this woman was selling some really nice clothes for Low prices. Remember finding out that most of the things she had wore once at most, and then got rid of. Personally I can never imagine wearing something only once and then selling or giving it away unless it just did not fit right. I am one who usually almost wears something out before getting something New. Most of the time if there is any wear left in it, or use for it, I either will sell it cheaply at a Yard Sale, or give it to someone via Free Cycle, or give it to Good Will or somewhere. It is just too expensive to just constantly be wanting everything replaced if there is still life left in them.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
31 Jan 11
I used to get hand me downs from my aunt who is of the same size as me. I like to get it from her as her clothes are of high quality.
@youless (112096)
• Guangzhou, China
11 May 09
Although I don't like wasting, but whenever I clean my house, I will throw away the old things or something I don't want any more. I want my house to be in a good order. And less stuff will be better. But I still try to see whether I can give some of the old things to someone else. Perhaps they are still useful for someone else. I love China
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
11 May 09
It is good pick those unused things in the house and donate it to others. Keeping them in the house will only become an eyesore and serves no purpose.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
20 Nov 08
i have to live within my means, it's just a way of like w/me. i have not bought any new clothes in years to speak of. since i had to quit work , i really don't go anywhere much & i just don't need them . that woman felt real important telling u that about the evening dress. all that may catch up w/her one of the days. as bad as things are it's going to affect everyone sooner or later. glad i don't have to wear evening dresses. lol
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
21 Nov 08
Like me I don't see the need to replenish my cloths as I a homely person and doesn't go out much. I still have my old and usable cloths to recycle. Some people don't stop to think about what it costs as long as they are doing what everybody else is doing. Yet the human mind is capable of logical thinking, and can come to grips with reality. Another thing people don't mend cloths anymore. If there is a tear, a missing button, or stitches have given way, why, the easiest thing to do is to throw the garment away.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
21 Nov 08
i know ezactly wht u mean. i don't get out much either & run around here [let me change that] walk around here in my p'j's most of he time , all the time unless i am going out. if i could wear them when i go out i would. lol
1 person likes this
@oyenkai (4394)
• Philippines
13 May 09
I think that people who practice this either have tons of money or are in great debt and are actually shopaholics. I was taught to value my things - to take care of them so that they would serve me for a long time. That means that we do expect things to be used more than once. Main reason why we don't treat clothes (for example) as disposable materials is because (1) they're expensive and we cant' afford to buy new ones every time; (2) it's a waste to throw things that you can reuse. We are not defined by the things we use but how we use them and treating reusable things as disposable materials I think... does not define a very good character. Thanks for the response on my discussion!
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
17 May 09
LOl...we should preserve our personal belongings and keep them till they are worn out then only can we replace a newer one.
@modstar (9605)
• Philippines
11 May 09
I have read somewhere that progress is improving something little by little and be open for changes. Though i welcome that thought, i still keep old things for later use because i never know when i will be needing them again. Sometimes i resell the old things and make profits from it. Like computer parts for example, i sell them then i'm going to buy a more upgraded computer parts similar to what i just sold. That's making a progress right? It's not really about being sophisticated but let's say, more like being practical. I have old things that has sentimental value attached to it. those are the things i dont throw away or sell. They're just too precious that no amount of money can take it away from me. I have this old computer speakers which i don't sell because as far as i can remember, i have strived hard just to be able to buy it. I'm still using it now and still satisfied. A lot satisfied actually because it came from my hard earned money.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
11 May 09
certainly not everything that are not in used in the present doesn't end up sold or given away. They do have their usefulness in future. As for those with sentimental values they shouldn't be discarded as history is written behind it and should be treasured along with the memory it holds.
• India
13 May 09
Hi, I really don't mind throwing out unwanted old things that are definitely not going to help me by any means. But when it come to something that is really useful and gone bad, i try to repair them. If it gets ok, it stays in. Else it goes to the trash. Cheers, forcashksd
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
17 May 09
Keeping junks only turn our place into museum. whatever things that are no longer needed should be discarded to the junk yard or given away. You are doing the right thing.
@May2k8 (17979)
• Indonesia
12 May 09
I save old goods or provide it to the poor, which I usually do. Collecting second-hand goods is my habit, because it can be used if necessary. Things may remind us incident that occurred in the past or now. Like the computer were I use, this is the goods that have long decades. But, I have never change-up to replace the equipment now.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
12 May 09
I agree with you that second hand goods are still usable. Yes, with a little touch up we can still recycle old goods and give them to the needy.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
13 May 09
There are quite a few people who behave the way this woman with the dress does. They are priveledged to have the opportunity to use something once and toss it aside as though it were worthless. But there are many more people in the world who value and are thankful for what they have and they know what is important in life.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
17 May 09
They are those lucky ones who have the means to buy anything they wish and reject them once they no longer need them.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
21 Nov 08
i don't throw old things away. I just give clothes and other usable items to my family and friends. Most clothes are still in good condition, if not yes I would either use them for everyday usage at home or else throw them away.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
22 Nov 08
You have the point there. There is really no point in keeping items that you no longer use. Some body might have good use of them.
@Mathurin (491)
• Philippines
24 Nov 08
i used to keep all my stuff and my sister calls them trash hehehe i do throw things which for two years i haven't used... and which is obviously used in the past... but most of them are papers, i keep the clothes and other stuff, i usually asked around if some people will want them or need them... but sometimes, i just cling on things, because i bought them
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
24 Nov 08
I can understand. It is not easy to part with things we bought especially when it is an expensive item. But we can't be keeping it if we don't really need it. It is good you give a time allowance when to dispose items which you don't need.
@derek_a (10874)
22 Nov 08
A few months ago, we had a big clear-out - the first for about 20 years. It was not so easy as I thought it would be as I felt I wanted to keep so many things - even broken things, in case I could get them fixed. However, I stayed strong and it all went to the local recycling center. I am feeling much better that I did it now.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
22 Nov 08
Parting with things you had for years is hard but you have to be firm in your stand then you can release them freely with no regret.
@applefreak (3130)
• Singapore
22 Nov 08
wow this young well-educated woman must have money to burn. as it is, evening dresses are not cheap. if she wears them once a month, she'd have to throw away hundreds of dollars a year! for me, i don't throw away my clothes if they are still good. in fact, most of my dresses have been with me for years. when i buy clothes, i make sure the quality is good so that they can last me for years. the only thing i'd rather have new will be gadgets. the speed of newer generations being introduced is tremendously. sadly, i can't afford to get the latest technology whenever it's launched cause that requires some serious money.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
22 Nov 08
Sometimes you'll find people who do things foolishly to create an impressive image and only mix around with the rich and famous, thinking they are above the ordinary lay people.
• Philippines
22 Nov 08
i throw away some old ones those that are so worn out or those that are not useful anymore..i mean my house is just small to have some old things to stay..what i don't throw are those that have sentimental values to me, no matter how old and how unuseful it is i wont throw it away.. with regards to the woman, i strongly believe that she is not wise enough in this life, what beliefs she has is ridiculous..even a superstar still wore an evening dress after she wore it once..on the second hand she is not a superstar to think that way..i guess she just like to be updated and that she uses her pride a lot that she thinks that way..who would have thought the same in this days of crisis?
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
22 Nov 08
some people just doesn't have common sense. Actually a dress worn the second time can be modified by putting on accessories to make it look different. I treasure all my things and have a big store for all my unused things, books and magazines. I cannot afford to buy new things now with the cost of things on the increase.
@dandan07 (1906)
• China
9 Dec 08
I like to keep old things with me until I can not use them any more. I think making full use of the things is the best way to show my respect to the one making them. While I can save a lot of money in this way. But problems come out, there are too many old things in my family. Old chairs, old tables, old clothes and so on. They take a lot of space a way, so even my house is quite big, it is still not bid enough for my old things. Maybe throw some of them away is a good choice to solve the problem. But I love my old things, I can not give up each of them.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
9 Dec 08
Well of course things that have been in our possession for a long time is hard to discard. It has a sentimental value to us but at least we need new things once in a while to bring in good luck, to make the house brighter and more pleasant place to stay.