This is my first time writing in this community and my second on the Hive blockchain. I have been around for about 22 days now; trying to understand how things work around here and asking questions. While looking for different communities to engage with, a friend told me about this community and I quickly wanted to check it out because I love minimalism- it has helped me keep my style simple but classy. I saw there is an ongoing prompt and asked if I could give it a try and she said yes, so here I am!
Growing up I wasn't much of the minimalist type, I would throwaway anything I believed was of no use to me again even if said item could serve another purpose or even be reused. I believe I got that habit from my Dad who did not believe in repairing or recycling broken or used items but replacing them with new ones, my mom on the other hand would rather keep them and suffocate our storage room, she had items her grandmother gave to her- possibly they were of sentimental value to her.
She would keep the box of items she has bought like gadgets, very neatly and in her defense she would say; just incase we have to return it to the shop and in most cases that did come in handy, and up till this day she remains a mini-maximalist. I guess old habits die hard. I remember I would throw my old clothes away and she would get them out of the waste bin, wash them clean and tell me clothes are expensive and if I won't put them on anymore someone else will.
Personally I had to modify my mindset to see the importance of a minimalist lifestyle, it sure saves me money and makes me creative and content. I have a backpack that I've been using for the past 4 years its a reliable companion, it fits in everything I need for my travels and getting a new backpack would just be unnecessary, I've got leather shoes that are practically begging me to let them breathe, and I know my power bank hates to see me coming because I've been using that little guy for years all wrapped up with tape to keep it's insides intact, can I get a new one? Yes! Will I get a new one? No I don't think so, not until I've sucked every last bit of power from my current one.
I've not actually had it repaired since the time I bought it unlike other powerbanks that I've seen would go bad and people will try to repair them and give up on them this one has had quite some pretty bad falls and cracks here and there but the tape and glue and regulatory charging of its battery has kept it going till this day. I've observed that following the manufacturer's instructions to the letter actually increases the lifespan of certain items. I have a friend who has been using the same headphones for like five years if I am not exaggerating enough, in her own words whenever I would ask her why she hasn't gotten a new one she would say and I quote; "it's still working perfectly, the sound is loud". I am sure those headphones hate to see her coming.
Probably she loves the colour of the headphones even if I don't know red to be her favourite colour but one thing I am sure of is that she has a minimalist mindset.
Repair what is broken and can be fixed, reuse what you can, buy less save more. I actually recommend going for items with guaranteed warranty, they encourage a minimalist lifestyle.
Thanks for reading!
The images are mine