I have a real thing about utility.
When I lived in the city, and spent all my time at my boyfriend’s apartment, it bothered me that my own four walls just sat there, waiting.
No one home.
Cups and cookbooks, sweaters and bags of loose-leaf tea just sitting still, perhaps wishing for a sign of life.
And now that we’re married, and have officially shared the same house for years, I still get a charge out of using our things.
All of the things.
. . .
I love to share meals at the family table. This means clearing away the numerous crafts and piles of mail and other bric-a-brac from the dining room, and actually setting down napkins and silverware. You know: dining.
I love to sit up in the guest room loft. Especially when it’s raining. This is quite possibly the coziest, book-wormiest spot in our house. So why save it just for family and friends? (starts counting down the minutes until she can sneak up there with a Steinbeck book and get lost in the glorious world of fiction)
I love to scrub dirty dishes in our farmhouse sink. Okay, no I don’t. But the sentiment behind it is real. I love the idea behind those greasy, soaking pans. Because it means we’re home. We’re cooking and laughing and drinking and watching TV together.
. . .
I guess what I’m getting at is that there is beauty in the used.
People love their new car smells and new sneakers (dude, I so do) but really, how long does ‘new’ even last?
Because even the newest house is not immune to the dust of the living.
So, my Dear Reader, I urge you to live your bloody life.
Embrace your coffee stains. Relish your ratty-ass slippers.
And savor every moment of being an eyebrow-plucking, pit-stained mess of a human being.
‘Cuz you’re delightfully you.
. . .
SnapDragon is a writer, mom, and owner of approximately 3,078 chapsticks.
Follow her Two-Bit Musings and more on Snippets of SnapDragon.
Very relatable, Snapdragon. We’ve lived together for over six years. Just yesterday we were trying to figure out whose Swiffer was whose! 🙂 It was an interesting, but pointless discussion, making us smile! All the best!
Haha. Thanks so much for your comment, Cheryl. Happy Swiffering. 🤓🕊
😀 This made me smiles out of joy and strengthened my hope for better days! Thank you! 💜🥰
I’m so glad, friend. Thanks so much. Be well! 🕊
I’ve been married for 22 years, this summer we went through our second purge. Meaning we got rid of a whole bunch of stuff that we haven’t used in years I mean old clothes golf clubs kids toys you name it. It was a great exercise, this is a great article because indeed you should enjoy the things that you have and the things that you use regularly.
Yes! Purging those unused items is so therapeutic. We need to do a deep dive into our basement closet; hopefully we’ll find some lost treasures. But most likely we’ll donate a lot of it, and give those items new life. Thanks for your comment, Karac. Be well! 🕊
Thank you for this beautiful article 😃
(*Flashes that huge Dwayne “the rock” Johnson smile) Coffee stains and rusty-ass slippers, come to Papa😊
Ha! And thank you for literally making me laugh out loud with your comment. Wishing you all the best, my friend. 🕊
The “used” are like old friends, so many memories attached to them 🙂
Yes! My husband always says that our homes are like our own personal museums, the seemingly “meaningless” objects showing the history of our lives. Thanks for your comment, Maria. 🕊
Very true 🙂
😎
Oh my goodness, YES! <3
Haha. Thanks, Robyn. Hope you are well! 🕊
Hey snapdragon. This post made me smile. You bring up a great point about our throw away culture. I believe in spending the money on something you truly love – something you will look after and that will last years – rather than simply trying to find the best deal. I want my furniture and things to feel like they have a history, not like they are part of an Ikea catalogue. Great post!
Thank you, friend! Well said. Life is filled with so many “things”; we should make them count. Be well! 🕊
This is inspiring. I’m that person who’s weirdly afraid to use the things that are new. Like I need to preserve their newness for a better day in the future. But it’s a mistake to do that because what if you never use it and that is just sad. I should stop doing that. Today is a perfectly good occasion to use the new!
I’ve done that, too! “Saving” outfits and body products for some imagined future. Let’s make a pact to enjoy the here and now. Thanks so much for your comment, friend. 🙂
Loved this post. So down to earth and real life living.
Thank you so much, friend! Be well. 🕊
Gorgeous, stunning painting and very relatable writing. I envy your artistic gifts!
Thank you so much, Jack. I truly appreciate that. 🕊
Be careful on this You might somehow. reach a stage in your life when the familiar look of mundane embraces change. You might call this downsizing.
Thank you, friend. 🕊
When I’m at home I wear socks that are almost at the point they won’t hold onto my toes! New things are necessary sometimes, but more often than not we can survive and thrive by using the wonderful things we already have at our disposal!
Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Haha, I have many a pair just like that! Thanks for your comment, Hamish. Be well. 🕊