The Worsted Witch

December 18, 2006 at 2:40 pm · Filed under Anti-Consumerism, Mini Post

10 friends live second-hand for a year; voluntary simplicity sparks backlash

3 Comments »

Regina Clare Jane said,

December 18, 2006 at 4:07 pm

That was a great read- thanks for posting it.I think back to my childhood days with 6 kids in the family and we lived in hand me downs and grew a lot of our own veggies and made do with roller skates almost too rusty to roll! I don’t think I turned out any the worse for wear, and perhaps, just a bit better than if I would have had everything I wanted, all brand spankin’ new…
This articles gives me another idea for a New Year resolution as well…
Oh, and the fact that this kind of thing would elicit angry protests- nothing surprises me any more…
Erica said,

December 18, 2006 at 5:35 pm

Interesting read. I like learning how others have approached altering their own consumption patterns. I struggle sometimes to decide whether it is worth it to buy something used or new. For instance, I have some crafty projects that I’m working on and while I could get paint, glue, and poly used, I will probably buy new so that I can find some less-toxic products.

When I needed some sort of clothing storage unit (dresser, wardrobe, etc), I got a great one from a vintage furniture store that was probably cheaper than anything I would have gotten new because it was banged up in the back. I am in need of some new bras, and I’m an incredibly difficult size to fit. I will probably go with something that is neither sustainable nor particularly non-toxic just to find something that fits.

I am still amazed at how some people will get defensive simply by learning that someone else is making a different choice than they would (or do). I’m reading “The Sexual Politics of Meat”, and I get some crazy looks from other people on the bus or when I’m eating my lunch. One co-worker even said that he wasn’t about to give up meat just because he’s a feminist. I mildly replied that I hadn’t asked him to, and he realized how crazy he sounded.

What is highly amusing to me is that I’m not even a strict vegetarian. I have celiac disease, so I already can’t eat anything with gluten in it. I cook most of my meals to keep out the gluten, and I just could never cook meat. I do eat meat though when it is a meal that my mother prepared. She’s the only person I trust to be careful enough not to gluten-ize me. I figure it is better for me to each a couple of meals with meat each year to keep from developing yet another food allergy. Anyway, I am reading this book because I find the topic interesting, not because I want to harangue others.
Liz said,

December 18, 2006 at 8:04 pm

You know, my dad always says that if people spent money the way I did, the economy would collapse.

Would it really be all that awful? ;)

I’m kidding of course, but wonder what the ramifications really would be if we all reduced our desire for so much consumption. People were able to exist just fine in this country without cellphones and ipods. I’d like to see folks with more time for the things that really matter.