Stories

Out with the old, in with the new?

by Alexa Francisco

Out with the old, in with the new?

Out With the Old, In With the New?

There’s so much hype surrounding the “new” these days.

 

New clothes, new tech, new vehicles-

 

New seems to be somewhat increasingly mistaken for best if you ask me, and in a world that boasts an out with the old/in with the new type of attitude, I’ve often felt estranged as far as the mainstream side of things is concerned… I believe that there’s still a lot to be offered by the old.

 

Of course, I acknowledge the importance of our technological evolution and there is plenty to be gained by it, but on the other hand, the evolution (and elevation) of consumption has led us to a strange place. One where we throw out perfectly good shit in exchange for something new “just because”. Just because we feel like it, just because it’s cheap, just because we can’t help ourselves, just because for the next 5 minutes, it’s cool…  

 

But this post really isn’t about dissing the new and its all-too-common lack in quality, or our over-consumption as a species, or the harmful effects it has on the environment...

 

It’s about the hole most of that stuff is incapable of filling because it lacks in feeling-

 

A special feeling you only get from reviving the old and giving it another whirl.  

 

Scooping unwanted things up and repurposing them as necessary has always been one of my favorite things to do… Not only because it makes sense in terms of the aforementioned issues of which I tried my hardest not to harp on for too long, but because it poses very unique challenges creatively one simply can’t face when buying something brand new.

 

You’ve got to get in there, become a part of it, and figure out how to shape it into what you want it to be. In other words, you’ve got to get your hands dirty, not just research some specs and open up your wallet.

 

Flexing that part of your brain and overcoming those challenges not only adds to your common knowledge and problem-solving skills, it ends up facilitating an attachment, almost a relationship if you will, between you and the material items you surround yourself with every day.

 

One that leads to a far greater understanding and appreciation for what those things have to offer you and what you have to offer those things.

 

No one can deny the special kind of vibe contained in an item that’s earned its wear- it’s the history you feel, and you weave yourself into that when you choose to give it a second chance.

 

The t-shirt you spent time raiding the racks of the thrift store for and proceeded to alter in the shed you turned into a printing room is not like any other t-shirt you have... The motorcycle from the 80’s you picked up from that random old dude and fixed up may be a little banged up, but it rides better than any other bike you’ve ever sat your ass upon because you got down on your knees day after day to fix it. And don’t even get me started on old guitars…  

 

How much of the “new” is actually necessary to give you what you’re looking for?

 

These days, we purchase items because of the feelings aroused by yes, the items themselves, but even more so the way in which they are presented to us. Most thrift stores aren’t exactly after achieving a spit-and-shine aesthetic and that makes the feeling you're looking to match harder to find and in some cases, seemingly impossible.   

 

But I’m willing to bet that in many cases if you were able to embrace a new kind of attitude- say, one along the lines of “out with the new, in with the old”, you’d find yourself more satisfied than ever with your material possessions because you will see more and more of yourself represented in them.

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Alexa Francisco

by Alexa Francisco

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