We live for things or things are created to serve us?
Hello dears! How do you feel about things? I'll explain my question. For example, my grandmother's generation treats things super-carefully, because in their time any thing was hard to buy, be it a set of dishes, a blanket or a jacket. So all her things are in the closet and waiting in the wings. When I ask my grandmother, why she won't get new glasses or plates to the kitchen, a new towel to the bathroom, she says: "why? I've got dishes and a towel. I'd rather give it to you!" I begin to convince her, that I don't need her dishes and bed linen and things, but she's adamant. When we buy something new, she always asks, where we put the old thing and very upset, when it finds out, that we threw it or burned. My grandmother is always very sorry to throw away something, but she will not use it for sure. So things things are on the shelves, "just in case". I agree with her, that we need to treat things carefully, to teach our children, because things get us not just, because they cost money. But I don't want to live for things. We buy things to use, not to look at them like in a museum. What's the point of a set of beautiful dishes, which is in the closet? From a new shirt or dress, which we bought, but do not wear, because we feel sorry. We often say "later", but what if "later" never comes? We should use every minute of our life: eat from beautiful plates, wear clothes that we like, change outdated equipment to new ones...
Thanks for reading!
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I think there are arguments for both sides. I can understand your grandmother's sentimental attachments to certain items that she has and perhaps she feels it a waste to buy new things.
In today's society where we are taught to consume, consume, consume i think it's good to consider if we really need to buy something.
By the same token i also appreciate to change "tired" items which need updating.
Springmelody I agree 100% with you. I have some terrific perfume which I don't use because I am keeping it for that special occasion. It has been there for years. I am the older generation and yes we keep "things" .
I think there is a name for it: hoarding. Its sometimes classified as a psychological disorder that involves a person acquiring things and unwilling to discard them even though these things clutter the said person's life. Although your grandma's case cannot be classified as such because her things have no negative effect on her life.
Sometimes people don't want to let things go because they have sentimental value to them. It might present a certain memory they cherish.
Sometimes, people just don't want to throw away things when they are still useful.
Whatever the case may be, in my opinion, if it doesn't affect your life negatively its fine--keep your old stuff. But remember you cant let new things in when you'ree holding on to old things...
Que bella imagen.
In the Philippines it's common for people to think like your Grandma. The citizens actually have a word for it: "Sayang" which means something like "What a waste". They reuse things here including broken flip-flops and other things that break.
Interesting word, I didn't know about that! Thanks for sharing!
You're welcome 😁