Last night I had a dream that I was somewhere (it kind of reminded me of a school, although I think it was actually supposed to represent a workplace) and there were bags and bags of clothes piled in a room. My automatic reaction was to donate them, but when I went to the bathroom, I returned to find them all removed. That's when two former coworkers of mine (from, like, 100 years ago) popped up and told me they were in someone's way, so they threw them in the garbage. I was furious!
Of course, in real life, I think these guys would have more common sense, but in today's world, I wouldn't bet on it. We've become an 'easy come, easy go' society with regard to material items, and when I think about it now, probably most things. We're equally likely to toss away food, friendships, marriages, jobs, lifestyles...I could go on. Easy come, easy go.
Our ancestors, many who probably didn't have a pot to piss in (literally) would roll in their graves if they saw the amount of waste that people incur these days. Quite frankly, most people over the age of 50 probably feel the same because many of us didn't have a lot growing up, so the idea of throwing out something in good condition on a whim is almost painful. Anytime something goes bad in the fridge, I think of the times I barely had anything in my fridge, those early days in my 20s, when I had my first apartment. I was working a minimum-wage job and trying to pay rent, heat, and electricity, along with other normal expenses. In fact, most of my friends were in the same situation, with some having to rely on food banks. And they all worked at least one job. Nothing was wasted in their homes.
Some people would shrug it off and say we live in a time of plenty. However, there's currently a recession looming (although I would argue it's already here), and with potential wars and tensions in the world, you have to consider that a lot of the products you love aren't necessarily from your own country; therefore, in the right circumstances, they may not always be accessible or reasonably priced. Don't believe me? Remember Covid? Have you bought coffee lately? It may not even be the product itself, but the packaging, fuel taxes, or some small component of the specific item that's adding to the price.
All that aside, I just don't like throwing out anything that someone else can use. I also love shopping secondhand. You never know what you might find. It's fun and often good quality. And I love donating too. I know that even though I might look at something as useless or ugly, it doesn't mean that someone else might not love it. Plus, most places you donate to are also charities. And hey, I know some secondhand shops are pricey, or perhaps the money may not go 100% to charity, but it also provides someone with a job.
And on one last note, I want to comment on something neat I recently saw on Instagram. There are various influencers who demonstrate clever ways to shop a thrift stores for your home, even if it involves some slight alterations. I also stumbled on an account where a lady bought nice, quality items from a second hand store and combined them with cheap items to make a gift. It's amazing how the right combination and a pretty bow can spruce things up! My brain doesn't work that way, so it would look awful if I did it, but some people have a creative eye. My creativity starts and ends with writing, and even that I sometimes question.
So, when you receive all that 'junk' you don't want for Christmas, or find yourself replacing old items, remember that there's a donation bin that you probably pass in your daily travels.
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