Use What You Have

on saving things for a "special occasion"

A lot of my writing inspiration comes from conversations I have in my daily life. Just today, I was sitting at lunch with my co workers discussing the antique china that one of them inherited from her relative. She was frustrated over not knowing what to do with the dishes and didn’t want them just sitting in her storage closet.

China is one of those things that has always confused me, especially as someone who, for the last several years, has moved every 8-18 months. I can’t imagine having things that I don’t use but that are extremely delicate and require their own cabinet. (Obviously understanding that a lot of china is passed down to family members and often have a lot of sentimental value). A lot of my life can fit in a car and a half.

After this conversation at lunch, I was reminded of a substack I read back in November called “You’re not Going to ‘Ruin’ your own Notebook” by Journaling Dan (Daniela). In the blog post, Daniela takes a look at how protective we can be over our things - not wanting to scuff up our shoes, crack the spines in our shoes, or, ruin a notebook. (Her post is VERY good and I recommend giving it a read, if only for the short study of old Arthur episodes).

It’s something I myself have thought about. As an avid journaller, I love and loathe the act of starting a new notebook. Not only does it hold so much potential but it also feels so daunting and so full of possible mistakes. It’s a silly thought, and yet it’s one I still have with every new notebook.

In her post, Daniela writes, “You cannot ‘ruin’ a notebook any more than you can ‘ruin’ a pair of running shoes by getting them dirty. It is the nature of the object’s use. Bicycles are meant to be ridden, notebooks are meant to be written in. The true ‘waste’ of an item is not in using it, but in leaving it to collect dust.”

There’s a Modern Family episode that also explores this idea.

In the season 9 episode called “In Your Head,” Mitch and Cam are confronted with this idea when their friend opens up their valued bottle of wine, eats the good cavier, and lights an expensive candle. Each of these items was meant to be saved for a “special occasion” and the couple is upset that their friend “wasted” them on a regular morning.

Throughout the episode, Mitch & Cam’s friend encourages them to enjoy every moment instead of waiting around for good moments to come. They eat the cavier, drink the wine, and end up seizing the day by going surfing.

It’s a lesson I think we can all learn and implement in our lives. While caring for your possessions can increase their lifespan, how often do we opt to not wear/use something just because we want to “save” it.

In the book community, many people would shake their heads if they see a cracked spine or a dog-earred page. If you’re a sneaker head, you’d probably cringe if you saw my scuffed up and dirty white shoes.

I’ve had my pair of blundstones for almost seven years. They’ve been soaking wet and covered in mud. They’ve been stubbed on countless tables and scuffed on hard concrete. They’ve been with me to five countries, walked thousands of miles, and have been my favourite shoe throughout every season.

Unfortunately, they are falling apart. They likely will not last the rest of this cold, Canadian winter, and I will have to replace them. But, as I look down at my sock that slightly pokes through the hole in my boot, I feel a sense of pride to have worn through a sturdy boot.

Especially as someone who can often lean into the frugal Dutch stereotypes, spending almost $300 on a pair of boots could have easily meant that they stayed tucked in my closet for the majority of the year. Instead, they’ve become one of my favourite pieces in my wardrobe.

Daniela writes in her piece, “Think of your unused notebook as a new piece of gold jewelry or a leather bag. It will start out shiny and spotless, but with constant wear, it will develop a gorgeous patina. Battle scars, scratches, age, and dents, are normal signs of a well-used, and consequently, well-loved object. These ‘imperfections’ are a good thing! Reframe your “mistakes” as a sign of a notebook well-loved.”

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We’ve come to a place where we keep buying stuff but are afraid to use any of it. I’ve ranted about overconsumption in a previous post, so I’ll refrain from doing so again.

But this year, I encourage you to look through your closets, your pantries, your drawers and really use what you have. Get scuff marks, leave stains, and wear through your items. You bought it for a reason!