The other day I was listening to a podcast called “What If We Get It Right” (in reference to the environment). It’s a hopeful look at the future if we all start making better choices today.
The thing that stuck with me the most is the concept of repairing and restoring vs building and buying new. First, this reminded me of my father, who took such care to maintain the things he had so they would last for many years. Second, this made me think of abandoned buildings, which always make me sad, especially when brand-new buildings are built next door.
I think there are huge merits in using what we already have–maintaining, repairing, and restoring–rather than disposing, abandoning, and building anew. Not always, but whenever possible. Perhaps I’m just partial to old buildings: Our condo is part of a building made over 100 years ago, and it has a lot of character while still feeling modern thanks to a renovation that happened a decade before we moved in.
Personally, I need to do much better at maintaining, repairing, and restoring the things I already have. I’m pretty good about using something until it no longer functions, but along the way I don’t do enough to keep it functional as long as possible. As a result, at the end it’s entirely unusable.
What’s your take on this philosophy? Do you have a specific tip related to maintaining, repairing, and restoring that has served you well?
Oh, repairing can be such a rewarding experience! Even better, these days you can learn most of it through videos and forums online. I’ve always enjoyed making and fixing things, but I’ve “stayed in my lanes.” That is until recently, where I installed CarPlay in our SUV, disassembled, diagnosed and fixed our newish vacuum, and most recently took apart my 18 year old DLP television to see if I can repair it. (I’m waiting for the part…)
Personally, I’m not a fan of our disposable culture, and some of these older items are much easier and cheaper to repair. Plus I don’t find the “improvements” on the newer technology is always worth the ticket price, especially when it’s designed for obsolescence.
Quality lasts, can be maintained, and usually repaired. Better on the wallet, and better on the planet. Win, win.
That’s a great point about the abundance of helpful videos! I’m impressed by what you’ve accomplished already, and this inspires me to try to explore repairing and restoring more.
Restore. We live in a 125 year old home that we restored about 3 years ago. You can’t reproduce historic. I love the imperfection of a hundred years of wear. Add in modern appliances and insulation, and you have a very livable home that no one would build today.
That’s amazing!
Kintsugi.
I’ve started to have more mindful purchases – buying only things that have meaning or waiting until there is an opportunity for meaning.
Ex: I could buy a teapot for its novelty or I can wait until I find a teapot that has meaning. Most things I try to maintain well because they are things that are meaningful(I also try to avoid high maintenance items – ie not dishwasher safe, not machine washable, fake leather, etc) and to decrease landfill contributions.
For repairs – I do repairs while I can, especially with meaningful items.
Items that are not meaningful, ie a creamer pitcher I bought in college because I liked the color, are more likely to be thrown out. I still have the pitcher because I still like the color and I plan to repair it later using a kintsugi kit I got online.
Kintsugi! The perfect word for this. 🙂
I love repairing, maintaining and restoring, it’s in my dna.
My Honda CR-V is 19 years old and I have owned it personally coming up for 9 years.
Hondas go on forever mechanically if serviced well but the body rots easily , especially in Northern England’s climate.
I have executed many repairs over the years , doing all jobs myself and in August I learnt to weld for the very first time to repair the rear of the sills. I then cleaned up underneath and used a comprehensive 3 stage German rust proofing treatment over the entire car and fitted new rear springs.
I hope to keep big red going for several years yet! .
I have a Dualit toaster I have kept going from the 90’s ( just replaced the card elements twice in that time ).
I always repair our washing machines but many now have sealed bearings pressed to the drum which really annoys me as it makes them uneconomical to repair .
I love keeping things going! , buy quality if you can afford it and REALLY look after it is the way
I’m so impressed by this, Mark!