Please give this video a like 👍 and comment with some things that would make YOUR underconsumption core list! Can't wait to read your responses; let's share and inspire each other.
I wanted to take nothing from the home I shared with my ex husband. I didn't want fighting me over cutlery, I just wanted out. My parents had died recently so I took some of the furniture I grew up with. My dresser, night tables and my grandma's easy chair are decades older than myself and I'm no spring chicken. I do remember going to a furniture store with my parents to get my dad's furniture for his office and some bookcases. I love to sit at my father's desk to work every day. They didn't like bulky furniture, but it's top quality and I repainted them. I'm not a neutral color person at all. I might even repaint that easy chair.
I have a pair of black Clark boots that might be 10 years old now - they are starting to take in water through the soles, but I love the style so much and haven't found anything like them that is in my price range now. I'm very seriously considering taking them somewhere to be re-soled, though the places near me have mixed reviews. :)
I have new rock boots that are older than my daughter... She is 20 in a few weeks! I used to wear them every day, now I wear at the weekend as my job restricts what I can wear.
Well im far away of a minimalistic livestyle today, but underconsumption is one way in my live to save the little money my husband bring home. 1. lot of verry old books, the best is maybe the fairytailbook in old German script. and also my Childehood tapes whit my favorit Childrenstorys. 2. my grandmother's costume that she get as a gift from my grandpa. The nailed Shoes that belonged to it, i gave it to a museum on permanent loan. 3. A pan who still was verry old, when my Dad used it and i took them with me when I moved out. 4. Clothes from my scooltime (last class) than im still able to wear. (im 39 Years old today) also other things out of fabric like towels than im woved out from my dads hous^^ 5. there are a lot of furniture in oure hous that belonged to our parents and grandparents, like the desk where im sitting on and my computer stands. 6. last but not least i also can finish this list with my beloved husband who belongs to me since august 2003 🥰
Knives and knife rack - over 50 years. A small group of kitchen hand tools - don't know - they were my grandmother's and one my grandmother's grandmother's (I'm 74). Grandmother's housedress, still kicken' around. 2 skirts from the 1970's which my granddaughter now tells me to 'never get rid of'. And most proudly, many well-loved things now being used in children's and grandchildren's homes.
My husband and I wanted to grow old together, but we didn't meet until our late 30s and she died of cancer not long after our 13th anniversary when he was 51. I am always in awel of people who are married for decades! It takes real dedication and love for sure.
Usually people tease me about my old things that I have been using "forever". It is nice that it is now a trend. :) Right now I am sitting at my "sewing desk" that was my dad's first desk from 1946 with a jar of miscellaneous buttons, some of which were my grandmother's going back to the 1920's. When I do go shopping, it is in my 20 year old car with my 31 year old reusable bag.😉
Oster brand toaster since 1992. Orange Tupperware measuring cups that my mom used to own when I was a kid…I am 54! Paper towel holder since 1999. Ford F-150 since 2005….bought this when our son was a newborn, he now drives it! 😊 Dear Hubby since 1989! 💕
I didn't know underconsumption was a thing but I own quite a bit stuff that is over 10-25 years old ( e.g. furniture, clothes, pots, dishes, etc). I'm happy that I've kept some of these items as I don't think things are built or made like they're use to now days 😊.
My parents grew up during the depression, so they always emphasized that there was no need to buy something new if the old one still did the job. I enjoy using my mom’s and grandma’s kitchen gadgets. Or son’s bedroom furniture was my grandfather’s.
Those airline makeup bags are SO sturdy. I have a first class toiletries bag from British Airways that I got in 2020- I developed a fear of flying after flying through a storm in the USA, and on my return flight to the UK, a member of the cabin crew sat with me after takeoff from Los Angeles to help me calm down. After landing in Heathrow, he came running back with a first class toiletries bag and told me to take it with me as a good luck charm! I now take it everywhere with me, and it still looks brand new four years later. (I wrote to the airline as soon as I got home to sing the cabin crew's praises, hopefully it helped him like he helped me.)
@@jmsl_910 flying with them again later this year- the company is meh but the cabin crew are the BEST on BA, they're so sweet and always on the ball! (Food's better on Virgin Atlantic though 😂)
Underconsumption is just a fancy way to say frugal or not wasteful. Anway, on a fun side I can say we underconsume on the following: I have been married to my husband for 34 years, we have owned our truck for almost 20 years, we have had our car for 10 years, I have some dresses I have had and still use for over 10 years, of course dishes amd pots and pans. The thing is I usually keep the items I have until they wear out. I have had my kitchen aide mixer for 28 years. It is also very eco friendly to keep things too. I enjoy your channel very much. Thanks for sharing
what a fun video! (When you said you felt old, my thought was "She can't be a day over 30". Ok, I was wrong, but you could EASILY pass for 30.) I love the whole theme here, that items used and loved are of enough value to not just throw them away, simply because they're a little frayed. I too have a number of items that are worn but still fully functional that have acquired additional meaning over time and are still used and loved regularly. It's so special that you have that beautiful box from your Grandpa. Maybe you should keep a peppermint inside, to keep his memory fresh!
as a 32 yr old minimalist, learning more frugal stuff, THANK YOU. It's nice to see another older woman, mom. rather than a 20 year old. very relatable. and great ideas! thank you!
I love that you wear your mother's wedding ring! I gave my wedding ring set to my daughter a few years ago. I was a widowed young, and it took me quite a few years to be able to let go of it. By the time I was ready, she had grown up and matured enough to really treasure it and take care of it. Giving it to her while I am still alive makes us both happy whenever she wears it. It was a good decision.
I still can't get over the fact that today's underconsumption core is what I have always considered to be regular consumption. I was taught by my parents to always use something until either finished or broken, and I learned the "1 in, 1 out" rule very, very young. But hey, I am all for it if people want to jump in on this "trend" for the sake of normalizing consumption. One of my most precious possessions is my jewelry box, that used to belong to my mother and was handmade and given to her by my father when they were dating, in high-polished hardwood with an all mirrored interior. And a dainty gold necklace that my hubby gave me for my 15th birthday when we first started dating. Of course my hubby also made the list 😊.
Thank you, I was hoping someone would say exactly this. I hardly ever buy things that aren't for my quickly growing little one. I just thought it was normal to turn old t-shirts, towels, and nightgowns into rags or socks into dusting gloves. Yes, some things are quite clever, like the jar as a to-go cup, but overall, isn't this just good ol' fashioned making do? Thrifting and only buying something when you need it... aren't those normal? Sigh... I guess it's good that it's a trend? I did just replace my leggings about a year ago (thigh holes finally were unmanageable), but the old ones became dust rags. I also finally bought new bathing suits this summer as well to replace the ones from almost ten years ago that were worn out and didn't fit anymore (pre-baby and they were passed on to a friend). I think the only other things I have that are younger than my five-year-old are consumables like food!
I've had my dining room table, laundry basket, hand mixer, mixing bowl, steamer trunk (they make great tables) and, yes, husband for 38 years. Favorite one is my hubby. ❤
I love the way you have meaning and stories attached to your most valuable items. It really gives things a precious feeling and makes it easier to let go of all those other little things that we can easily live without
1987 High School grad dress I bought at Limited Express. It became a maternity dress, a renaissance festival dress, then my daughter dyed it black and wears it on regular rotation. I kind of wish I had it back. It was so comfortable to wear.
Baby blankets! I have a thin lace baby blanket that my parents wrapped me in to take me home from the hospital back in 77, it's now done the same for all 3 of my kids, and is proudly displayed in my studio! This video made me realise how many little things like that I have ❤❤ love it!
TLC keep lifestyle older items a joy to use because they were made of quality materials. For your beloved handbag, buy a can of Saddle Soap to clean it and make it supple. A can keeps forever to keep leather and vinyl items in top condition without harmful chemicals. Been using this since I was 9 yrs old, now am 70.
My sewing kit is 45 years old, my piano is 28 years old, the pearls I'm wearing right now are over 60 years old, my fur vest is easily 40 years old (it was my grandmother's coat I had remade into a vest to suit my lifestyle), my summer Kate Spade handbag is over 20 years old, lots of my service/dishware is easily 50+ years old, I just sent an antique cabinet to my daughter for her son's nursery (easily 100 years old). I could go on. I'm here for the underconsumption trend!!
If you want, you could put a small block of wood in the dragonbox on witch you can drop a little peppermint oil on (if you don’t want to drop it on the box itself) then you can get the sent back to the box
I think underconsumption core is my favorite trend ever! Watching you showcase things you've had for a long time made me feel more excited about the older things I have. I have pretty much the exact same story with my Harry Potter books! :D
You know I have watched so so many of your videos. After this one I realized I think we would easily be great friends in another life. What a sweet little window into your life and interests :)
I know someone who worked for the school board at one point. A school was getting rid of a whole bunch of very old teacher desks. I've been using the same antique teacher's desk for 20 years.
I use my grandmother’s cast iron skillet every single day. She was born in 1897. For all I know it could have been her mother’s pan since she lived next door to her mother her entire life. 💕
I'm sure there are many in my home if I really think about it. Here are a few off the top: My travel toiletry bag, made of a rugged canvas-type material, is over 30 yrs old now & has been to countless places. And the doilies my mother crocheted in young adulthood, some very intricate. I use a few under vases, etc. to protect the surface they sit on. But the rest are used by my 4 yr old grandson for all sorts of things, limited only to his imagination: from blankets for litle dolls & animal figures, to nets for catching wild animals & "bad guy" Hot Wheels-type cars while playing at my house. My daughters have no use for doilies so I'm glad to have found a new purpose for keeping Mom's talented handiwork in regular use. It makes me smile when I see my grandson--born a few years after Mom died--use these items made by his great-grandma.
My mother was a big crocheter of doilies too, but she gave them all away. I wish I had a few now. I suppose I could find similar ones at flea markets or even online but I haven't looked.
My top 3 "can't replace" things: 2005 Tacoma (it was my "get-away" vehicle when I left my abusive first husband)🛻; my second-hand computer desk and bedroom suite (my current husband bought me almost 15 years ago)🛏; current husband, married 10 years next week. 👫
Hi Marrisa, love your channel and your wise helpful content. I'm not one to leave messages but I felt I wanted to share…… I have a plant that was my grandmother's, I lovingly care for it, the plant is still thriving at the ripe age of 75 years. I also have my lovely husband, we met when I was 13 married at 18 and I'm 54 years old. We have so much fun my biggest under-consumption. Sending love from Wales uk
Great list! I've had the same pair of Birkenstocks for 30 years. They've been re-soled numerous times, but they're still a favorite. I would much rather repair or repurpose something than buy new.
Today I wear shoes I bought 23 years ago and I still love them. In our living room almost all furniture is vintage, antique or bought when we got married in 1987. My kitchenware is mostly old as well. Some Items were my grandmothers’ and it feels special to use them. I love to buy in second hand stores. Often better quality and the ‘feel’ is better.
What incredible quality each of this items have. They were build for hundreds of years. Sometimes I buy things and hope they will serve me many years, and then they go broken.
Great video, thanks for sharing! Wife almost 42 years... We still have and use bedroom and dining room furniture purchased in the mid '80s. I have a guitar (made in '67) that I bought in '77. It doesn't get played much, but our son has expressed interest in having it after I'm gone. I still have a guitar strap from '74 and some cables I made around the same time. Our Honda Odyssey is 20 years old this year; thankfully the Midwest winters haven't destroyed it yet! My stereo features a receiver from the late '70s, a turntable from about '80 and albums from the '70s and later. When I retired after 35 years of working for the same company, I was offered a gift from a long list. I consulted with my wife who suggested that I forgo the laptop or big TV in favor of a rather complete set of Le Creuset. She commented that it would probably something that we could hand down to our kids some day. I agreed and we've been enjoying it for 7 years and counting!
❤ This list was very interesting, and It was very touching to see your sentimental side as you described the history of the more nostalgic items. ❤ You’re the best!
You aren't the only minimalist who is not in their 20s! I was very much a minimalist when I was younger... I lapsed into a routine consumer lifestyle later, and didn't like it. Now I've downsized a couple of times, and I am feeling much freer for it. It isn't really downsizing: it's "right-sizing." Minimalism is the way at least for some of us. And "buy it for life" is also a good philosophy.
OMG! I love the concept of #underconsumptioncore! Showing your desk at the beginning made me laugh! I’ve had my desk (huge, heavy L shaped office desk) since 2002 and I got it from my first career job out of university, as they were decluttering it! It’s travelled with me between provinces and countless homes. …mind you, it’s also the reason why I _NEVER_ want to move and when I _haaave_ _to_, I hire movers! …the top piece (where the keyboard and monitor goes) weighs around 100lbs on its own! I don’t have any family, but last year before she passed away from cancer, my best friend’s mom (who I’ve known since the ‘90s) suggested passing down their beautiful kitchen table and chairs to me, when they were replacing theirs. So many great memories were made at that table when we were growing up, and now we get to make more! LOL, I’m not cheap, frugal or broke, I’m obsessed with #underconsumption core. 😉😂😁
This made me smile. I’m 53 and just recently got rid if a hoodie that was well over 30 years old. I still consider early 2000 to be recent history. Things use to be built much better in the 70’s. TVs were made out of wood then. 😅
What a great video! Score again! My husband and i just celebrated 30 years 😊 i have my 3rd grade pencil box, a winter coat for 24 years, my workout pants 10 years. My Mom was an under consumer raising us, and im like that. My sentimental ❤gets me wanting the retro items so i wait before buying. Thanks 😊
I take a perverse pride in how long I can get my stuff to last. Many of my clothes are 10 - 20 years old, and I actively avoid buying new stuff unless I'm replacing something old that's broken. I've always been like this and make no apologies.
My favourite is our house. We've lived here for 18 years and have no plans to ever leave. It's cosy and homey. We've done no renovations too it as we've grown to like the colours and style of the previous owners and it has a lot of memories for us.
I still have a makeup brush that I bought in high school. You can use it for powder or blush and it's still going strong! I also have some clothes I bought from lands end and LL Bean when I was in college that are in still great condition. I'm 54 btw, and I will definitely attest that goods made today are nowhere near the quality of 30 to 40 years ago. Great video!
I love your sentimentality! I know it's probably hard to be a minimalist and be sentimental, but your grandfather's wooden box and your mom's wedding ring are Irreplaceable.
What a great list! Thanks for sharing. My dad passed away 21 years ago, but he bought me a beautiful leather Coach bag when I was pregnant with my first 27 years ago. It's a classic. I still have it and use it. Makes me think of him every time I use it. I miss him so much all these years later.
When I moved from MN to NM I ended up getting rid of most of my furniture because it was so expensive to move it, but most of it was from my parents, so it was 50+ years old. I did move my 25+ year old IKEA desk and wardrobe. I just recently got rid of my t-shirts from high school 30 years ago, but I still have a few from college. I have an almost 49 year old hand crocheted teddy bear I got when I was born, and a large stuffed Saint Bernard my mother got over 60 years ago. Nothing in my house furniture wise is less than 5 years old (when I moved), and I still have a bunch of bowls and utensils that my mother got as wedding presents in 1961. I have a tendency to keep things until they completely fall apart, which is good and bad. 😊
So funny that not constantly replacing things is an internet trend! 😆 I have tons of old stuff despite decluttering and moving countries. I have a few paperback books from my childhood including a Roget’s Thesaurus I’ve had for about 40 years. It’s non-alphabetic, organized by concept instead, very difficult to find now. BTW your HP books look like they might just need a little packing tape to reinforce the spines. That’s what we did at the library to make paperbacks last longer. And I love your old canvas bag - somehow even though it’s really worn it looks nice that way IMO.
I was at an antique glass show and saw a set of salt and pepper shakers for $100. I immediately called my mother and said “Hey, we need to stop using Grandma’s S&P shakers! They are really valuable!” 😂 But, we still use them. Why not?!! They get the job done and we love using them. 😍
I have to list my husband first because we were married in 1974 so this is our golden 50th anniversary. I wore out my little wedding ring and got a new one on my 30th anniversary. I still have a lamp I bought at Marshall Fields in Chicago in 1978, I have some cooking pots that I have used since 1974 that were used by my MIL and her Mother before her and were made in the 1940's. My youngest daughter, who is actually very wealthy and buys fancy cookware has claimed them as her inheritance!! I have many quilts I made over the years and my daughters and many friends and family have some also and I don't think anyone has every gotten rid of one. I have my Grandmother's cedar chest and when we downsized in retirement I had to make hard choices so I sold my coffee table and use her chest instead. I could make a huge list but won't😀 but we have owned eight houses and even though we only have about 25% of the stuff we used to have I have something from all of our houses.
I loved seeing your much loved, long term items. I laughed out loud at your comment that many of these items are older than some of these creators! One of my favorite things in our home is a cross stitch piece I did that hangs in our living room--stitched in 1992! I've never understood people who buy trendy crap to hang in their homes only to change it out a few years later when the trend changes. The artwork in my home is part of the family!
Great video, thanks for sharing! I always find it interesting how things that used to be absolutely normal become "hot trends" these days. As a person born in the 70s, this trend is what I've been doing all my life 🙂
I am a bit shaken because apparently, I rock at this trend I've never heard of, and your list is all things that are so "young" to me! Let's see, just from my visuals right now: legs on a coffee table we got 20 years ago that we'll have forever, a tv stand I got on clearance when I worked AT Target in 1998, a 1940's washstand for storage, stereo speakers from 25+ years ago, a table my parents got in the 1970's, 2 bookcases from at least the 1970's. The couch I'm on is from 2000. My engagement ring is from family, in 1906! Yes, I wear it daily. Now I'm feeling paranoid that I didn't get the consumerism memo and am seriously a fuddy duddy! haha
I keep stuff a long time, too. On two occasions shoes have literally broken while wearing them! Had dinner barefoot in a nice restaurant when a strap on my 20 year old evening sandals finally broke. Hubs: in use for 30 years Pyrex and baking appliances from my mom, so over 30 years Coats, sweaters, jackets, blankets over 10-20 years Only furnished living room once 22 years ago I could go on.
I treated myself to Mason Pearson hairbrush in the 80s for 40dlrs and still use it, wear my mom's wedding ring, wear my toddler 18k tiny stud earrings, a handmade music box I got in Italy over 28 years ago, my grandmother's delicate brooch, one of my father's shirt and his keepsake box, just to mention a few. Your grandfather's wooden box is beautiful!
Well, I'm in my late 70s and married for 59 years, so it may not be fair to list stuff we've owned for a long time. We moved a lot when we were young, so not much ancient stuff survived, but I've had a Dundee marmalade jar for pens, etc. -- when the jar was sealed with wax and paper. We got that the summer we got married. Most of our t-shirts (what we both wear in the summer) are from various Apple Developer conferences from the early 2000s. A lot of clothing is of similar vintage. We've already done Swedish death cleaning, so what's left is what we use. We have All-clad pots, like you. Other than the teflon-coating, these things will last forever. What we don't keep forever is tech stuff, other than our 12+ year old TV. I still do active (if retired-level) research, and newer lets me do more -- we do have a rule about waiting until a device is out of AppleCare before upgrading.
I have a thirty year old Peace Lily, a mug I bought at a yard sale over twenty years ago that’s still a favorite, a small piece of artwork that hung in the dining room in my childhood home, a twenty year old plastic comb I use to comb my hair conditioner through in the shower. Going in twenty years with the hubs.❤
The spacemaker, the wooden box, the Naruto lunchbox, the billy Collins book!!!! Every time you pulled out something else I was floored!!!!!! You have excellent taste 😄
I feel old too when looking at minimalists & sustainable fashion. Most are as you say younger and I have cloths from the eightees and ninetees when they were not even born! Always loved good cloths (bags, shoes etc.) with good fabric, well made and with more of a timeless look. And as I hate shopping and don’t like to have too much stuff It makes my house & appartment easy to keep nice and tidy. Just found you and loove your inspiration & take on things!
My husband and I just celebrated our 38 th wedding anniversary, we were high school sweethearts and got married when we were both 21 yrs. We have 3 beautiful daughters 🌸 I also have a box set of the Little House on the Prairie books that I got when I was 9 yrs, saving them for grandchildren
The quilt and pillow my grandmother made for me almost 30 years ago. ❤ Edit: also a t-shirt I got when working backstage at a Tori Amos concert in college (26 years ago)
It’s amazing to see how you still have so many items from so long ago, despite declutterring so much over the years! I do as well, and there’s something special about that, like these are the items that made it through everything.
Chest of drawers, 48 years; London Fog trench coat, 36 years; wide tooth comb from middle school days, 49 years; hubby for 16 years this November. 😊 I’ve had my mom’s wedding ring and diamond necklace for 4.5 years now. She passed away in December of 2019. I also have her jewelry box which looks like a miniature cedar chest. I keep small mementos in it. I have a scarf my mom embroidered my name on when I was 12. I’m 62 now. Hugs to you!
I'd like to make you feel young. I'm 71. I still have the first towels I ever bought at age 16, though I use them for rags. I have 3 plants I've had for over 25 years. I have several tablecloths I've used all my adult life - some belonged to my grandmothers. I have several pieces of furniture that were my grandparents. My daughter has a dress I loved and wore when I was in my 20's but no longer fits me. I just finished mending 6 shirts for my husband and a trendy pair of jeans for my granddaughter using Sashiko visible mending. I darn my brother in laws socks often or sweaters with holes. My Apple computer is 12 years old and my iPhone is 9 years old. I plan to start making my own clothes with fabric I've had for years. Most everything I love and display has some sort of sentimental value - I have decluttered everything else.
I m 46 years old and have some house plants that I got as tiny cuttings in my early 20s. They are big now. I ve never bought a towel in my life, and have used the same ones since my early twenties, they must have been someone else's cast offs, I don't know. But they fit my colour scheme just right, and seem perfectly good, so? The same goes for many of my household items. They are simply cast offs of my parents or late grandparents. Like wooden hangers with crocheted covers, by my grandmother, so that the clothes don't slip off. They must surely be 50+ years old. Stuff doesn't usually go bad, does it. So not much need to replace anything, usually.
I bought a Nordstrom sundress in 1995 and wear it at least 20'x each summer. (Great quality, no fast fashion.) I get lots of compliments still. When my parents were married, and a kitchen item was damaged, my grandpa would always fix it. I still have all these cute items. Some must be at least 60 years old. I vowed not to buy any clothes for next next three years, (except sneakers because cancer gave me so much nerve damage in my feet :) and I always have 3 pairs on hand. No one ever notices that I repeat wearing the same outfits.
Old things provide continuity, hold memories and keep you rooted. As a army brat, and subsequently international executives, I don't have that. I used to love going to my grandma's place and she would bring out the same tea pot and tea cosy that I have seen since I was a baby, and drinking tea was such a comforting feeling. Her house had not changed much either, still seeing that ancient tea set reminded me of something I never had.
I enjoyed this video very much ❤! It‘s funny because even though I am not so consistant in beeing minimalist and like to buy new things every now and then, I realized I have LOTS of items in my household for ages that are very similar to the things you were showing. I have the old purses, bags and cosmetic bags that I still use. I got some pots and pans and other kitchen stuff from my parents when I was young, they are very good quality and are still good to use. I have some very old items from my grandparents households that I got after they passed away an I really love to not just have them but also use them. I have a kind of cheap pregnancy dress from H&M that I bought years before I even was pregnant because it fits my body type very well, then I wore it through pregnancy and wear it until today. It must be like 20 years old now and I wonder how it lasts so long but it still looks good. And I had the exact same pencil box for a long time, only in other colors, which was given to me from my american family (I am german). And I have a very similar wooden carved box from India. It belonged to my grandparents who lived in India for several years during the 50‘s and together with some other items from India it was always present in their house during my childhood. These sentimental items are really a treasure.
A few on my list are 1) Leather bound Complete Works of Shakespeare my grandmother won as a school prize in 1908, 2) my school flask and 3) my school pencil case, both from 1968 (so 56 yrs old). Under-consumption is nothing new. It just used to be couldn't afford plus make do and mend then later the 60s hippie save the planet and the green reduce, reuse, recycle. Threw a pair of trousers out last week after finding so many layers of patches on patches that there wasn't enough decent fabric left to sew another patch on!
#20 is my favorite :) My guess for what you keep in the pencil box in your office is Address labels Coins/ money Letters from your husband Are you going to tell us if someone guesses correctly?
I have a beautiful wool coat I received as a gift in college 20+ years ago! I appreciate you doing this, I'm also in my 40s and most videos on this trend, the creators are younger than my list!
The book of poetry, Picnic, Lightning, is wonderful! After one of the poems caught my eye in your video, and taking into account your review, I bought the book. My husband and I are reading the poems together. Thank you for sharing.
Hi! Here’s a tip for your HP books! 😃 What I like to do with old, worn out paperback books that are falling to pieces is to simply wrap them in adhesive plastic film, which is made for protecting school books! Then I use document-tape which is much safer and gentler for paper to fasten any pages that might be falling out. You could also just wrap the spine of the paperback in some extra-wide transparent tape to give it a couple more years of durability. 😉 Thanks for another lovely video!
It's been a while since I've seen any videos from you and now I realised how I missed them! Love everything about it! Don't worry about the youth on the underconsumption core trend. Millenial here! Also, who do you manage to keep most of your things in such good condition? I'm impressed!
Nice to have you back! One thing I’ve noticed is that when you buy stuff is it’s just not the same quality. The maternity dresses were nothing special, from average stores, but have lasted FOREVER. I don’t think it’s possible to do that with new clothes…it’s all planned obsolescence. 😔
My winter coat is a leather mid-thigh length coat that my husband's father wore when he was young. I think it's from the early 60's. Potato smasher and pretty metal flour sifter from one of my grandmothers. I use them a lot. They're at least 70 years old. Maybe more. Stove-top stainless steel percolator that was "vintage" when I bought it. No clue how old it is but it makes the best coffee. Most of our furniture and appliances are several decades old. (Edit: and husband 32 years) 😊
Omg I have the same Spacemaker pencil case as you from when I was a kid 😱 it's so true where they don't make things like they used to and lots is planned obsolescence now (which I'd love to see a topic on)
@@MyFocusVaries yes! And phones too! I mean honestly they could just sell us a new updated microchip to put in these devices and they'd work again, but who would spend hundreds of dollars on that? In reality though, that's all we're really getting. Makes me sad and sick.
I like the trend of repurposing, reusing, wearing out. And it can be very aesthetically pleasing. I think band shirts need at least 10 years to be cool ;) I don’t have own family heirlooms. But I have the dishes my husbands grandma got for her wedding as well as an old chest from her and her wardrobe. She still lives but downsized recently and we moved at the same time and our old furniture was to high for our new sleeping room. We use her things on a daily basis. My kids also have stuffed animals from my husband and his Lego. My husband is my partner of 15 years now :) That’s the reason I never decluttered as much as other minimalists as we are using up old towels, repurposing some of them as washing cloth, old Shirts with holes became little rags for diaper change… I really wore down my wardrobe and needed about 7 years to be on a level I would describe as minimal. A lot of the stuff won’t be used by other people but I still can and will use it and don’t have to buy new things. BUT as with the musselin swaddles: If other people can reuse the stuff as it is, I will pass it on. We have little cousins and they got a lot of my kids outgrown toys and clothes although I could have repurposed some of it. Tbh, underconsumption core resonates really strong with my values and my lifestyle, more than classical minimalism. I really like your take on minimalism but some minimalists will declutter just to buy some expensive version more fitting into their style than the old…
A 25 year old pair of sweats (they make great pants for getting dirty, painting etc), 40 year old jewelry that was handed down, 50 year old bible and blanket-also handed down, 50 year old dishes a friend gave me, lots of things! Even a 20 year old tent
Every piece of wood furniture I own is from family and friends that I have that Ive refinished/repaired. I also have the old, very worn Harry Potter books, but instead of replacing them, I replaced the binding. Because I already knew how to od bookbinding I did it myself, but you could definitely find someone to rebind them for you! Plus, so much opportunity for decoration/customization
I still have my 21 dress I’m 61 this year, I used it as a maternity dress and so has others and I still use it for good events and planning to on a cruise next year as a cocktail dress
Most of the things in our house -except from cloths and shoes are more than 10 years old. We are not minemalists, but we use and repair things as long as they works adecuately and we still use them. I actually have a knittede jacet thats 20 years old that I use from time to time. Our Main appliences like stove is 17 years, and much better then a never and cheaper one at our cabin. Washer and dryer are 16 yo- hope to have them a few more years. My car is 20 years 😂. Have some diningroom funitures that was handmade in '57, my great grandparents kitchentable that I use as a desk- its almost 100 years now. Mid center furnitures in different rooms. Kitchn weare is good quality for the most, and most of it is more than 10-15 years old. Som everyday favorites are a juicer my hubby gifted me for Christmas in '99 and a steelpot after my grandparents(probably from the '60ies or '70ties), a breadknife I bougt in a random shop in '86. The first christmasgift to us from my sister in law is a Bodum press jug- still looking new ect ect. This and more combined with new and cofortable couches and throwpillows makes a good mix for us. We are decluttering, and we can downsize our collections of stuff for sure, but it's tempting to keep a lot of things that are handed down from both families 🙄 *it's a process*
i'm starting to realize that, aside from a few childhood items, i don't have many things that i can say that i've owned for a very long time. i've fallen into the trap of overconsumption, so most of the things i cycle through are fairly new and barely used. i feel very inspired and moved by this video.
I haven't been able to go on RUclips much lately and I definitely have been missing your videos, almost 2am and I'm glad to have been able to watch this one 😅 great vid as always!
I've socks older than some of those younger creaters, they're thick hiking / winter socks only used when very cold or as slippers. Bought in late '97 / early '98 along with a rain jacket that i still use, in wet Ireland!
Please give this video a like 👍 and comment with some things that would make YOUR underconsumption core list! Can't wait to read your responses; let's share and inspire each other.
Hi Marissa, where is the video about the picnic blanket, please? I didn't find it 😁 Thank you 🤗
I wanted to take nothing from the home I shared with my ex husband. I didn't want fighting me over cutlery, I just wanted out. My parents had died recently so I took some of the furniture I grew up with. My dresser, night tables and my grandma's easy chair are decades older than myself and I'm no spring chicken. I do remember going to a furniture store with my parents to get my dad's furniture for his office and some bookcases. I love to sit at my father's desk to work every day. They didn't like bulky furniture, but it's top quality and I repainted them. I'm not a neutral color person at all. I might even repaint that easy chair.
I have a pair of black Clark boots that might be 10 years old now - they are starting to take in water through the soles, but I love the style so much and haven't found anything like them that is in my price range now.
I'm very seriously considering taking them somewhere to be re-soled, though the places near me have mixed reviews. :)
I have new rock boots that are older than my daughter... She is 20 in a few weeks! I used to wear them every day, now I wear at the weekend as my job restricts what I can wear.
Well im far away of a minimalistic livestyle today, but underconsumption is one way in my live to save the little money my husband bring home.
1. lot of verry old books, the best is maybe the fairytailbook in old German script. and also my Childehood tapes whit my favorit Childrenstorys.
2. my grandmother's costume that she get as a gift from my grandpa. The nailed Shoes that belonged to it, i gave it to a museum on permanent loan.
3. A pan who still was verry old, when my Dad used it and i took them with me when I moved out.
4. Clothes from my scooltime (last class) than im still able to wear. (im 39 Years old today) also other things out of fabric like towels than im woved out from my dads hous^^
5. there are a lot of furniture in oure hous that belonged to our parents and grandparents, like the desk where im sitting on and my computer stands.
6. last but not least i also can finish this list with my beloved husband who belongs to me since august 2003 🥰
Husband 41 years,2 plastic laundry baskets 41 years, hairbrush 20 years, makeup mirror 46 years. All still in use daily. 😊
Oh no I could never use the same hairbrush. Mine are getting worn out every few years but good for you! :)
Sorry, its funny, you "use" your husband everyday
Knives and knife rack - over 50 years. A small group of kitchen hand tools - don't know - they were my grandmother's and one my grandmother's grandmother's (I'm 74). Grandmother's housedress, still kicken' around. 2 skirts from the 1970's which my granddaughter now tells me to 'never get rid of'. And most proudly, many well-loved things now being used in children's and grandchildren's homes.
Husband 41 years lolololol
I used the same hairbrush for 41 years❤
"Use it up, wear it out. Make do, or do without!" I've always liked this little saying
My favorite underconsumption item you mentioned is your hubby❣️ I have been fortunate enough to have had mine for over 40 years.😍
Wow, congratulations 😍 and thanks for watching.
😀I feel the same - my hubby and I have been together since 1981.
Yes! 40 years this year 🤗🥰
Great! My husband's grandparents are my biggest insipartion, they have been together for more than 60 years.
My husband and I wanted to grow old together, but we didn't meet until our late 30s and she died of cancer not long after our 13th anniversary when he was 51. I am always in awel of people who are married for decades! It takes real dedication and love for sure.
Usually people tease me about my old things that I have been using "forever". It is nice that it is now a trend. :) Right now I am sitting at my "sewing desk" that was my dad's first desk from 1946 with a jar of miscellaneous buttons, some of which were my grandmother's going back to the 1920's. When I do go shopping, it is in my 20 year old car with my 31 year old reusable bag.😉
Oster brand toaster since 1992.
Orange Tupperware measuring cups that my mom used to own when I was a kid…I am 54!
Paper towel holder since 1999.
Ford F-150 since 2005….bought this when our son was a newborn, he now drives it! 😊
Dear Hubby since 1989! 💕
I didn't know underconsumption was a thing but I own quite a bit stuff that is over 10-25 years old ( e.g. furniture, clothes, pots, dishes, etc). I'm happy that I've kept some of these items as I don't think things are built or made like they're use to now days 😊.
My parents grew up during the depression, so they always emphasized that there was no need to buy something new if the old one still did the job. I enjoy using my mom’s and grandma’s kitchen gadgets. Or son’s bedroom furniture was my grandfather’s.
Your moms handwriting 🥰 we still have my moms voice set as our voice mail, it’s basically the only thing we have left
Those airline makeup bags are SO sturdy. I have a first class toiletries bag from British Airways that I got in 2020- I developed a fear of flying after flying through a storm in the USA, and on my return flight to the UK, a member of the cabin crew sat with me after takeoff from Los Angeles to help me calm down. After landing in Heathrow, he came running back with a first class toiletries bag and told me to take it with me as a good luck charm! I now take it everywhere with me, and it still looks brand new four years later. (I wrote to the airline as soon as I got home to sing the cabin crew's praises, hopefully it helped him like he helped me.)
great story! i love british airways, & even more now!
@@jmsl_910 flying with them again later this year- the company is meh but the cabin crew are the BEST on BA, they're so sweet and always on the ball! (Food's better on Virgin Atlantic though 😂)
Underconsumption is just a fancy way to say frugal or not wasteful.
Anway, on a fun side I can say we underconsume on the following:
I have been married to my husband for 34 years, we have owned our truck for almost 20 years, we have had our car for 10 years, I have some dresses I have had and still use for over 10 years, of course dishes amd pots and pans.
The thing is I usually keep the items I have until they wear out.
I have had my kitchen aide mixer for 28 years.
It is also very eco friendly to keep things too.
I enjoy your channel very much. Thanks for sharing
what a fun video!
(When you said you felt old, my thought was "She can't be a day over 30". Ok, I was wrong, but you could EASILY pass for 30.)
I love the whole theme here, that items used and loved are of enough value to not just throw them away, simply because they're a little frayed.
I too have a number of items that are worn but still fully functional that have acquired additional meaning over time and are still used and loved regularly.
It's so special that you have that beautiful box from your Grandpa. Maybe you should keep a peppermint inside, to keep his memory fresh!
as a 32 yr old minimalist, learning more frugal stuff, THANK YOU. It's nice to see another older woman, mom. rather than a 20 year old. very relatable. and great ideas! thank you!
Aw, thank you so much! I know what you mean, it can be hard to relate to the lifestyles and homes of some of these younger minimalists 😂
My mom died when I was 3. (I'm 56) I have a picture she drew hanging on my wall. My heart is with you, Marissa.❤
❤
I’m so sorry to hear that . ❤
Almost all of the furniture in our house was acquired used -- some from my husband's family, and those pieces are now over 100 years old.
Same! Greats and grand's furniture!! They built it to last!!
I love that you wear your mother's wedding ring!
I gave my wedding ring set to my daughter a few years ago. I was a widowed young, and it took me quite a few years to be able to let go of it. By the time I was ready, she had grown up and matured enough to really treasure it and take care of it. Giving it to her while I am still alive makes us both happy whenever she wears it. It was a good decision.
I still can't get over the fact that today's underconsumption core is what I have always considered to be regular consumption. I was taught by my parents to always use something until either finished or broken, and I learned the "1 in, 1 out" rule very, very young. But hey, I am all for it if people want to jump in on this "trend" for the sake of normalizing consumption. One of my most precious possessions is my jewelry box, that used to belong to my mother and was handmade and given to her by my father when they were dating, in high-polished hardwood with an all mirrored interior. And a dainty gold necklace that my hubby gave me for my 15th birthday when we first started dating. Of course my hubby also made the list 😊.
Thank you, I was hoping someone would say exactly this. I hardly ever buy things that aren't for my quickly growing little one. I just thought it was normal to turn old t-shirts, towels, and nightgowns into rags or socks into dusting gloves. Yes, some things are quite clever, like the jar as a to-go cup, but overall, isn't this just good ol' fashioned making do? Thrifting and only buying something when you need it... aren't those normal? Sigh... I guess it's good that it's a trend? I did just replace my leggings about a year ago (thigh holes finally were unmanageable), but the old ones became dust rags. I also finally bought new bathing suits this summer as well to replace the ones from almost ten years ago that were worn out and didn't fit anymore (pre-baby and they were passed on to a friend). I think the only other things I have that are younger than my five-year-old are consumables like food!
I've had my dining room table, laundry basket, hand mixer, mixing bowl, steamer trunk (they make great tables) and, yes, husband for 38 years. Favorite one is my hubby. ❤
I love the way you have meaning and stories attached to your most valuable items. It really gives things a precious feeling and makes it easier to let go of all those other little things that we can easily live without
1987 High School grad dress I bought at Limited Express. It became a maternity dress, a renaissance festival dress, then my daughter dyed it black and wears it on regular rotation. I kind of wish I had it back. It was so comfortable to wear.
Baby blankets! I have a thin lace baby blanket that my parents wrapped me in to take me home from the hospital back in 77, it's now done the same for all 3 of my kids, and is proudly displayed in my studio! This video made me realise how many little things like that I have ❤❤ love it!
TLC keep lifestyle older items a joy to use because they were made of quality materials. For your beloved handbag, buy a can of Saddle Soap to clean it and make it supple.
A can keeps forever to keep leather and vinyl items in top condition without harmful chemicals. Been using this since I was 9 yrs old, now am 70.
My sewing kit is 45 years old, my piano is 28 years old, the pearls I'm wearing right now are over 60 years old, my fur vest is easily 40 years old (it was my grandmother's coat I had remade into a vest to suit my lifestyle), my summer Kate Spade handbag is over 20 years old, lots of my service/dishware is easily 50+ years old, I just sent an antique cabinet to my daughter for her son's nursery (easily 100 years old). I could go on. I'm here for the underconsumption trend!!
If you want, you could put a small block of wood in the dragonbox on witch you can drop a little peppermint oil on (if you don’t want to drop it on the box itself) then you can get the sent back to the box
was thinking that too!!
I think underconsumption core is my favorite trend ever! Watching you showcase things you've had for a long time made me feel more excited about the older things I have. I have pretty much the exact same story with my Harry Potter books! :D
You know I have watched so so many of your videos. After this one I realized I think we would easily be great friends in another life. What a sweet little window into your life and interests :)
Why not this life? Happy to have you here! 🤗
@@AtoZenLife Aw thanks! What’s your favorite anime? Check out AOT if you haven’t. It’s graphic but 10/10 plot
@@winterfoxx6363 I love attack on Titan, but it’s definitely traumatic lol. Right now we are loving Demon Slayer!
@@AtoZenLife same!
I know someone who worked for the school board at one point. A school was getting rid of a whole bunch of very old teacher desks. I've been using the same antique teacher's desk for 20 years.
I use my grandmother’s cast iron skillet every single day. She was born in 1897. For all I know it could have been her mother’s pan since she lived next door to her mother her entire life. 💕
That is a true treasure.
@@santisanti8386 Yes it is! 🥰
I'm sure there are many in my home if I really think about it. Here are a few off the top: My travel toiletry bag, made of a rugged canvas-type material, is over 30 yrs old now & has been to countless places. And the doilies my mother crocheted in young adulthood, some very intricate. I use a few under vases, etc. to protect the surface they sit on. But the rest are used by my 4 yr old grandson for all sorts of things, limited only to his imagination: from blankets for litle dolls & animal figures, to nets for catching wild animals & "bad guy" Hot Wheels-type cars while playing at my house. My daughters have no use for doilies so I'm glad to have found a new purpose for keeping Mom's talented handiwork in regular use. It makes me smile when I see my grandson--born a few years after Mom died--use these items made by his great-grandma.
My mother was a big crocheter of doilies too, but she gave them all away. I wish I had a few now. I suppose I could find similar ones at flea markets or even online but I haven't looked.
My top 3 "can't replace" things: 2005 Tacoma (it was my "get-away" vehicle when I left my abusive first husband)🛻; my second-hand computer desk and bedroom suite (my current husband bought me almost 15 years ago)🛏; current husband, married 10 years next week. 👫
Hi Marrisa, love your channel and your wise helpful content. I'm not one to leave messages but I felt I wanted to share…… I have a plant that was my grandmother's, I lovingly care for it, the plant is still thriving at the ripe age of 75 years. I also have my lovely husband, we met when I was 13 married at 18 and I'm 54 years old. We have so much fun my biggest under-consumption. Sending love from Wales uk
Great list! I've had the same pair of Birkenstocks for 30 years. They've been re-soled numerous times, but they're still a favorite. I would much rather repair or repurpose something than buy new.
Today I wear shoes I bought 23 years ago and I still love them. In our living room almost all furniture is vintage, antique or bought when we got married in 1987. My kitchenware is mostly old as well. Some Items were my grandmothers’ and it feels special to use them.
I love to buy in second hand stores. Often better quality and the ‘feel’ is better.
What incredible quality each of this items have. They were build for hundreds of years. Sometimes I buy things and hope they will serve me many years, and then they go broken.
Great video, thanks for sharing! Wife almost 42 years... We still have and use bedroom and dining room furniture purchased in the mid '80s. I have a guitar (made in '67) that I bought in '77. It doesn't get played much, but our son has expressed interest in having it after I'm gone. I still have a guitar strap from '74 and some cables I made around the same time. Our Honda Odyssey is 20 years old this year; thankfully the Midwest winters haven't destroyed it yet! My stereo features a receiver from the late '70s, a turntable from about '80 and albums from the '70s and later.
When I retired after 35 years of working for the same company, I was offered a gift from a long list. I consulted with my wife who suggested that I forgo the laptop or big TV in favor of a rather complete set of Le Creuset. She commented that it would probably something that we could hand down to our kids some day. I agreed and we've been enjoying it for 7 years and counting!
❤ This list was very interesting, and It was very touching to see your sentimental side as you described the history of the more nostalgic items. ❤ You’re the best!
You aren't the only minimalist who is not in their 20s! I was very much a minimalist when I was younger... I lapsed into a routine consumer lifestyle later, and didn't like it. Now I've downsized a couple of times, and I am feeling much freer for it. It isn't really downsizing: it's "right-sizing." Minimalism is the way at least for some of us. And "buy it for life" is also a good philosophy.
Love the idea of right sizing terminology
You can line the edges of the HP books with scotch tape and then plastic cover to prevent further damage and lengthen their lives.
OMG! I love the concept of #underconsumptioncore! Showing your desk at the beginning made me laugh! I’ve had my desk (huge, heavy L shaped office desk) since 2002 and I got it from my first career job out of university, as they were decluttering it! It’s travelled with me between provinces and countless homes. …mind you, it’s also the reason why I _NEVER_ want to move and when I _haaave_ _to_, I hire movers! …the top piece (where the keyboard and monitor goes) weighs around 100lbs on its own!
I don’t have any family, but last year before she passed away from cancer, my best friend’s mom (who I’ve known since the ‘90s) suggested passing down their beautiful kitchen table and chairs to me, when they were replacing theirs. So many great memories were made at that table when we were growing up, and now we get to make more!
LOL, I’m not cheap, frugal or broke, I’m obsessed with #underconsumption core. 😉😂😁
Love these stories, so glad you shared them with us! That desk sounds so cool - what a find! ❤️
This made me smile. I’m 53 and just recently got rid if a hoodie that was well over 30 years old. I still consider early 2000 to be recent history. Things use to be built much better in the 70’s. TVs were made out of wood then. 😅
I have the same feeling😊 and I am five years older
We had a wooden TV growing up
What a great video! Score again! My husband and i just celebrated 30 years 😊 i have my 3rd grade pencil box, a winter coat for 24 years, my workout pants 10 years. My Mom was an under consumer raising us, and im like that. My sentimental ❤gets me wanting the retro items so i wait before buying. Thanks 😊
Thanks so much for sharing and cheers. ❤️🙏
i'm so madly in love with this kind of video
I take a perverse pride in how long I can get my stuff to last. Many of my clothes are 10 - 20 years old, and I actively avoid buying new stuff unless I'm replacing something old that's broken. I've always been like this and make no apologies.
Such wonderful treasures….the wooden box, your mom’s ring and the pencil box with her handwriting. Made me choke up. 6:39
My favourite is our house. We've lived here for 18 years and have no plans to ever leave. It's cosy and homey. We've done no renovations too it as we've grown to like the colours and style of the previous owners and it has a lot of memories for us.
I still have a makeup brush that I bought in high school. You can use it for powder or blush and it's still going strong! I also have some clothes I bought from lands end and LL Bean when I was in college that are in still great condition. I'm 54 btw, and I will definitely attest that goods made today are nowhere near the quality of 30 to 40 years ago. Great video!
- wooby (baby blanket) 29yrs
- ski coat 6 yrs
- wool socks 7 yrs
- mom's WWF towel ~30+ yrs
- dad's metal box (now jewelry box) ~30+ yrs
- nightmare before xmas Tshirt ~15yrs
oh i'm sure there's more...
I love your sentimentality! I know it's probably hard to be a minimalist and be sentimental, but your grandfather's wooden box and your mom's wedding ring are Irreplaceable.
What a great list! Thanks for sharing. My dad passed away 21 years ago, but he bought me a beautiful leather Coach bag when I was pregnant with my first 27 years ago. It's a classic. I still have it and use it. Makes me think of him every time I use it. I miss him so much all these years later.
That is so sweet ❤️
When I moved from MN to NM I ended up getting rid of most of my furniture because it was so expensive to move it, but most of it was from my parents, so it was 50+ years old. I did move my 25+ year old IKEA desk and wardrobe. I just recently got rid of my t-shirts from high school 30 years ago, but I still have a few from college. I have an almost 49 year old hand crocheted teddy bear I got when I was born, and a large stuffed Saint Bernard my mother got over 60 years ago. Nothing in my house furniture wise is less than 5 years old (when I moved), and I still have a bunch of bowls and utensils that my mother got as wedding presents in 1961. I have a tendency to keep things until they completely fall apart, which is good and bad. 😊
So funny that not constantly replacing things is an internet trend! 😆 I have tons of old stuff despite decluttering and moving countries. I have a few paperback books from my childhood including a Roget’s Thesaurus I’ve had for about 40 years. It’s non-alphabetic, organized by concept instead, very difficult to find now. BTW your HP books look like they might just need a little packing tape to reinforce the spines. That’s what we did at the library to make paperbacks last longer. And I love your old canvas bag - somehow even though it’s really worn it looks nice that way IMO.
I was at an antique glass show and saw a set of salt and pepper shakers for $100. I immediately called my mother and said “Hey, we need to stop using Grandma’s S&P shakers! They are really valuable!” 😂 But, we still use them. Why not?!! They get the job done and we love using them. 😍
Yes gym t shirts! Mine are also from my college years.
I do not buy new seasonal decor, I love my hand me down outdoor Halloween decorations.
I have to list my husband first because we were married in 1974 so this is our golden 50th anniversary. I wore out my little wedding ring and got a new one on my 30th anniversary. I still have a lamp I bought at Marshall Fields in Chicago in 1978, I have some cooking pots that I have used since 1974 that were used by my MIL and her Mother before her and were made in the 1940's. My youngest daughter, who is actually very wealthy and buys fancy cookware has claimed them as her inheritance!! I have many quilts I made over the years and my daughters and many friends and family have some also and I don't think anyone has every gotten rid of one. I have my Grandmother's cedar chest and when we downsized in retirement I had to make hard choices so I sold my coffee table and use her chest instead. I could make a huge list but won't😀 but we have owned eight houses and even though we only have about 25% of the stuff we used to have I have something from all of our houses.
I loved seeing your much loved, long term items. I laughed out loud at your comment that many of these items are older than some of these creators! One of my favorite things in our home is a cross stitch piece I did that hangs in our living room--stitched in 1992! I've never understood people who buy trendy crap to hang in their homes only to change it out a few years later when the trend changes. The artwork in my home is part of the family!
Totally agree!😊 When it works you don't have to fix (or replace) it!😃
Great video, thanks for sharing! I always find it interesting how things that used to be absolutely normal become "hot trends" these days. As a person born in the 70s, this trend is what I've been doing all my life 🙂
I am a bit shaken because apparently, I rock at this trend I've never heard of, and your list is all things that are so "young" to me! Let's see, just from my visuals right now: legs on a coffee table we got 20 years ago that we'll have forever, a tv stand I got on clearance when I worked AT Target in 1998, a 1940's washstand for storage, stereo speakers from 25+ years ago, a table my parents got in the 1970's, 2 bookcases from at least the 1970's. The couch I'm on is from 2000. My engagement ring is from family, in 1906! Yes, I wear it daily. Now I'm feeling paranoid that I didn't get the consumerism memo and am seriously a fuddy duddy! haha
We grew up in the 70s, the ME generation, so that stuff carries a lot of memories, not just the shag carpets and avocado-gold-brown ugliness.
I keep stuff a long time, too. On two occasions shoes have literally broken while wearing them! Had dinner barefoot in a nice restaurant when a strap on my 20 year old evening sandals finally broke.
Hubs: in use for 30 years
Pyrex and baking appliances from my mom, so over 30 years
Coats, sweaters, jackets, blankets over 10-20 years
Only furnished living room once 22 years ago
I could go on.
I've had my husband for 41 years! He's a keeper!
So is mine, 38 yrs and we are still in love, he is my best friend and a wonderful father 💕
Going to barns and nobles may one day be a thing of the past like blockbuster. Yes ordering and going to pick up is so fun
I treated myself to Mason Pearson hairbrush in the 80s for 40dlrs and still use it, wear my mom's wedding ring, wear my toddler 18k tiny stud earrings, a handmade music box I got in Italy over 28 years ago, my grandmother's delicate brooch, one of my father's shirt and his keepsake box, just to mention a few.
Your grandfather's wooden box is beautiful!
Well, I'm in my late 70s and married for 59 years, so it may not be fair to list stuff we've owned for a long time. We moved a lot when we were young, so not much ancient stuff survived, but I've had a Dundee marmalade jar for pens, etc. -- when the jar was sealed with wax and paper. We got that the summer we got married. Most of our t-shirts (what we both wear in the summer) are from various Apple Developer conferences from the early 2000s. A lot of clothing is of similar vintage. We've already done Swedish death cleaning, so what's left is what we use. We have All-clad pots, like you. Other than the teflon-coating, these things will last forever.
What we don't keep forever is tech stuff, other than our 12+ year old TV. I still do active (if retired-level) research, and newer lets me do more -- we do have a rule about waiting until a device is out of AppleCare before upgrading.
Thanks you for sharing your experience with us-cool that you have the same pans as well. 🤗
@@AtoZenLife Forgot that we have the original cornflower Corelle plates (late 1960s) that we still use every day.
I have a thirty year old Peace Lily, a mug I bought at a yard sale over twenty years ago that’s still a favorite, a small piece of artwork that hung in the dining room in my childhood home, a twenty year old plastic comb I use to comb my hair conditioner through in the shower. Going in twenty years with the hubs.❤
The spacemaker, the wooden box, the Naruto lunchbox, the billy Collins book!!!! Every time you pulled out something else I was floored!!!!!! You have excellent taste 😄
Why thank you, hahaha!
I feel old too when looking at minimalists & sustainable fashion. Most are as you say younger and I have cloths from the eightees and ninetees when they were not even born! Always loved good cloths (bags, shoes etc.) with good fabric, well made and with more of a timeless look. And as I hate shopping and don’t like to have too much stuff It makes my house & appartment easy to keep nice and tidy. Just found you and loove your inspiration & take on things!
The print on the maternity dress turned skirt is fab. Repurposing it to a skirt was a great choice.
I was going to say the same thing. Such a fabulous idea!
If you take some leather conditioner to that Marc Jacobs bag, it'll look brand spanking new. Those well-constructed leather bags hold up so well!
My husband and I just celebrated our 38 th wedding anniversary, we were high school sweethearts and got married when we were both 21 yrs. We have 3 beautiful daughters 🌸 I also have a box set of the Little House on the Prairie books that I got when I was 9 yrs, saving them for grandchildren
Your pencil box reminded me of my 45 year old ruler. My parents bought it for me for 4th grade.
The quilt and pillow my grandmother made for me almost 30 years ago. ❤
Edit: also a t-shirt I got when working backstage at a Tori Amos concert in college (26 years ago)
I'm also rocking an old ecotools makeup brush set! They've been with me for at least 12 years now.
Nice! The big kabuki brush is my favorite ❤️
It’s amazing to see how you still have so many items from so long ago, despite declutterring so much over the years! I do as well, and there’s something special about that, like these are the items that made it through everything.
thats good. it teaches your kids to value things.
Chest of drawers, 48 years; London Fog trench coat, 36 years; wide tooth comb from middle school days, 49 years; hubby for 16 years this November. 😊 I’ve had my mom’s wedding ring and diamond necklace for 4.5 years now. She passed away in December of 2019. I also have her jewelry box which looks like a miniature cedar chest. I keep small mementos in it. I have a scarf my mom embroidered my name on when I was 12. I’m 62 now. Hugs to you!
I'd like to make you feel young. I'm 71. I still have the first towels I ever bought at age 16, though I use them for rags. I have 3 plants I've had for over 25 years. I have several tablecloths I've used all my adult life - some belonged to my grandmothers. I have several pieces of furniture that were my grandparents. My daughter has a dress I loved and wore when I was in my 20's but no longer fits me. I just finished mending 6 shirts for my husband and a trendy pair of jeans for my granddaughter using Sashiko visible mending. I darn my brother in laws socks often or sweaters with holes. My Apple computer is 12 years old and my iPhone is 9 years old. I plan to start making my own clothes with fabric I've had for years. Most everything I love and display has some sort of sentimental value - I have decluttered everything else.
I truly admire people like you!
I m 46 years old and have some house plants that I got as tiny cuttings in my early 20s. They are big now. I ve never bought a towel in my life, and have used the same ones since my early twenties, they must have been someone else's cast offs, I don't know. But they fit my colour scheme just right, and seem perfectly good, so? The same goes for many of my household items. They are simply cast offs of my parents or late grandparents. Like wooden hangers with crocheted covers, by my grandmother, so that the clothes don't slip off. They must surely be 50+ years old. Stuff doesn't usually go bad, does it. So not much need to replace anything, usually.
I bought a Nordstrom sundress in 1995 and wear it at least 20'x each summer. (Great quality, no fast fashion.) I get lots of compliments still. When my parents were married, and a kitchen item was damaged, my grandpa would always fix it. I still have all these cute items. Some must be at least 60 years old. I vowed not to buy any clothes for next next three years, (except sneakers because cancer gave me so much nerve damage in my feet :) and I always have 3 pairs on hand. No one ever notices that I repeat wearing the same outfits.
and most of my books from childhood.
Old things provide continuity, hold memories and keep you rooted. As a army brat, and subsequently international executives, I don't have that. I used to love going to my grandma's place and she would bring out the same tea pot and tea cosy that I have seen since I was a baby, and drinking tea was such a comforting feeling. Her house had not changed much either, still seeing that ancient tea set reminded me of something I never had.
I enjoyed this video very much ❤! It‘s funny because even though I am not so consistant in beeing minimalist and like to buy new things every now and then, I realized I have LOTS of items in my household for ages that are very similar to the things you were showing. I have the old purses, bags and cosmetic bags that I still use. I got some pots and pans and other kitchen stuff from my parents when I was young, they are very good quality and are still good to use. I have some very old items from my grandparents households that I got after they passed away an I really love to not just have them but also use them.
I have a kind of cheap pregnancy dress from H&M that I bought years before I even was pregnant because it fits my body type very well, then I wore it through pregnancy and wear it until today. It must be like 20 years old now and I wonder how it lasts so long but it still looks good.
And I had the exact same pencil box for a long time, only in other colors, which was given to me from my american family (I am german). And I have a very similar wooden carved box from India. It belonged to my grandparents who lived in India for several years during the 50‘s and together with some other items from India it was always present in their house during my childhood. These sentimental items are really a treasure.
A few on my list are 1) Leather bound Complete Works of Shakespeare my grandmother won as a school prize in 1908, 2) my school flask and 3) my school pencil case, both from 1968 (so 56 yrs old). Under-consumption is nothing new. It just used to be couldn't afford plus make do and mend then later the 60s hippie save the planet and the green reduce, reuse, recycle. Threw a pair of trousers out last week after finding so many layers of patches on patches that there wasn't enough decent fabric left to sew another patch on!
#20 is my favorite :)
My guess for what you keep in the pencil box in your office is
Address labels
Coins/ money
Letters from your husband
Are you going to tell us if someone guesses correctly?
I have a beautiful wool coat I received as a gift in college 20+ years ago! I appreciate you doing this, I'm also in my 40s and most videos on this trend, the creators are younger than my list!
The book of poetry, Picnic, Lightning, is wonderful! After one of the poems caught my eye in your video, and taking into account your review, I bought the book. My husband and I are reading the poems together. Thank you for sharing.
So glad you enjoyed it, Cynthia 👍
Hi! Here’s a tip for your HP books! 😃 What I like to do with old, worn out paperback books that are falling to pieces is to simply wrap them in adhesive plastic film, which is made for protecting school books! Then I use document-tape which is much safer and gentler for paper to fasten any pages that might be falling out. You could also just wrap the spine of the paperback in some extra-wide transparent tape to give it a couple more years of durability. 😉 Thanks for another lovely video!
It's been a while since I've seen any videos from you and now I realised how I missed them! Love everything about it! Don't worry about the youth on the underconsumption core trend. Millenial here! Also, who do you manage to keep most of your things in such good condition? I'm impressed!
Nice to have you back! One thing I’ve noticed is that when you buy stuff is it’s just not the same quality. The maternity dresses were nothing special, from average stores, but have lasted FOREVER. I don’t think it’s possible to do that with new clothes…it’s all planned obsolescence. 😔
@@AtoZenLife As a former sales girl and former avid consumer, I couldn't agree more with you on that. By the way, the dresses are so beautiful!
My winter coat is a leather mid-thigh length coat that my husband's father wore when he was young. I think it's from the early 60's.
Potato smasher and pretty metal flour sifter from one of my grandmothers. I use them a lot. They're at least 70 years old. Maybe more.
Stove-top stainless steel percolator that was "vintage" when I bought it. No clue how old it is but it makes the best coffee.
Most of our furniture and appliances are several decades old.
(Edit: and husband 32 years) 😊
Those maternity dresses look amazing 😮❤ wow! Love your wonderful advice ❤❤❤
The rocking chair my grandmother used with my mother...she just turned 86!
Oh what a Joy in life You are !😄😊
Aw, thanks so much--always a joy to have you here, Kenneth!
Omg I have the same Spacemaker pencil case as you from when I was a kid 😱 it's so true where they don't make things like they used to and lots is planned obsolescence now (which I'd love to see a topic on)
Like computers that become paper weights because they are no longer updateable
@@MyFocusVaries yes! And phones too! I mean honestly they could just sell us a new updated microchip to put in these devices and they'd work again, but who would spend hundreds of dollars on that? In reality though, that's all we're really getting. Makes me sad and sick.
I like the trend of repurposing, reusing, wearing out. And it can be very aesthetically pleasing. I think band shirts need at least 10 years to be cool ;) I don’t have own family heirlooms. But I have the dishes my husbands grandma got for her wedding as well as an old chest from her and her wardrobe. She still lives but downsized recently and we moved at the same time and our old furniture was to high for our new sleeping room. We use her things on a daily basis. My kids also have stuffed animals from my husband and his Lego. My husband is my partner of 15 years now :)
That’s the reason I never decluttered as much as other minimalists as we are using up old towels, repurposing some of them as washing cloth, old Shirts with holes became little rags for diaper change… I really wore down my wardrobe and needed about 7 years to be on a level I would describe as minimal. A lot of the stuff won’t be used by other people but I still can and will use it and don’t have to buy new things. BUT as with the musselin swaddles: If other people can reuse the stuff as it is, I will pass it on. We have little cousins and they got a lot of my kids outgrown toys and clothes although I could have repurposed some of it.
Tbh, underconsumption core resonates really strong with my values and my lifestyle, more than classical minimalism. I really like your take on minimalism but some minimalists will declutter just to buy some expensive version more fitting into their style than the old…
My childhood Easter basket is now 36 years old and sits on my kitchen counter to hold honey, vitamins and such.
My kids had the same Easter baskets their entire childhood and when they moved out, the baskets went with them. Same goes for Christmas stockings.
A 25 year old pair of sweats (they make great pants for getting dirty, painting etc), 40 year old jewelry that was handed down, 50 year old bible and blanket-also handed down, 50 year old dishes a friend gave me, lots of things! Even a 20 year old tent
Every piece of wood furniture I own is from family and friends that I have that Ive refinished/repaired. I also have the old, very worn Harry Potter books, but instead of replacing them, I replaced the binding. Because I already knew how to od bookbinding I did it myself, but you could definitely find someone to rebind them for you! Plus, so much opportunity for decoration/customization
I still have my 21 dress I’m 61 this year, I used it as a maternity dress and so has others and I still use it for good events and planning to on a cruise next year as a cocktail dress
Most of the things in our house -except from cloths and shoes are more than 10 years old. We are not minemalists, but we use and repair things as long as they works adecuately and we still use them. I actually have a knittede jacet thats 20 years old that I use from time to time.
Our Main appliences like stove is 17 years, and much better then a never and cheaper one at our cabin. Washer and dryer are 16 yo- hope to have them a few more years. My car is 20 years 😂. Have some diningroom funitures that was handmade in '57, my great grandparents kitchentable that I use as a desk- its almost 100 years now. Mid center furnitures in different rooms. Kitchn weare is good quality for the most, and most of it is more than 10-15 years old. Som everyday favorites are a juicer my hubby gifted me for Christmas in '99 and a steelpot after my grandparents(probably from the '60ies or '70ties),
a breadknife I bougt in a random shop in '86.
The first christmasgift to us from my sister in law is a Bodum press jug- still looking new ect ect.
This and more combined with new and cofortable couches and throwpillows makes a good mix for us. We are decluttering, and we can downsize our collections of stuff for sure, but it's tempting to keep a lot of things that are handed down from both families 🙄 *it's a process*
wow this is an amazing video! it was great hearing about all the older stuff you have. i have a bunch of older stuff from my mom and her father.
i'm starting to realize that, aside from a few childhood items, i don't have many things that i can say that i've owned for a very long time. i've fallen into the trap of overconsumption, so most of the things i cycle through are fairly new and barely used. i feel very inspired and moved by this video.
I haven't been able to go on RUclips much lately and I definitely have been missing your videos, almost 2am and I'm glad to have been able to watch this one 😅 great vid as always!
I've socks older than some of those younger creaters, they're thick hiking / winter socks only used when very cold or as slippers. Bought in late '97 / early '98 along with a rain jacket that i still use, in wet Ireland!