Use it up, wear it out…or do without!

I did not live through the great depression, but during that period of history, 1929-1939, frugality was considered a virtue, and the phrase, “Use it up, wear it out, and make it do, or do without!” was the guiding principal in most households. Those were the years when nothing was wasted. Women sewed clothes for the family, and then made quilts from the fabric scrapes. Men reused old nails, screws, and lumber. Food came from family gardens, and canning summer crops for winter use was a necessity.
I would not want to go back to those days, but I think we could learn from their mindset. It would serve us well to balance their lack of essentials with our massive abundance.
There is value in minimalism and simplicity. If we respect what we have, buy only what we need, and try to be more self-sustainable, isn’t it possible that we could feel better about ourselves? If we could park cars in our garages, hang clothes freely in our closets, and live in uncluttered spaces, wouldn’t that give us a better outlook on life?
If we could try to use up, wear it out, or do without, if even for a month, like our ancestors did for a decade, don’t you think it would give us a stronger, more thoughtful constitution? Better mental health?
It reminds me of that clever advertisement about the old flea market being the place where “the overstuffed sell stuff to the understuffed.”
We do not need to buy just because we can – just because it is available – just because it is on sale. Being responsible for our spending and our living environments is an attribute of good mental health. We do not want to be gluttons; consuming more (food or stuff) than we require.
Look around your home and office. What do you see? Are you understuffed? Give yourself a pat on the back. Are you overstuffed? Consciously put a lock on your credit card and hoard your cash. Instead, take a walk.
We do not need another Great Depression to stop the overstuffed pandemic. We simply need to use it up, wear it out, and make it do – or do without!
Wish me luck!
Until the next time: Live while you live