Many people dread getting old — we’re afraid of the signs of aging that are etched into our bodies as proof of time passing. Yet, when it comes to inanimate objects, there is something beautiful and intriguing about seeing the physical changes that are a testament to time moving forward, however mercilessly.
It’s interesting to see how time touches everything, and there’s even a subreddit dedicated to that — “Well Worn.” As per the community’s bio, it’s for all things “that have been through hell and back:” A butcher’s cutting board that has weathered years of cutting and slicing, clothes and shoes that are almost falling apart, posters faded from the sun so much that you can’t even make out what they say, and many more.
More info: Reddit
#1 Donkey Statue At The Detroit Institute Of Arts
#2 Metal Ring Wearing Into The Sandstone Of The Cathedral In Strasbourg, France
#3 My Great Great Grandmother’s, Great Grandmother’s, And Grandmother’s Spoon
It might seem silly to celebrate something as simple as the signs of wear on objects, but good-quality items that wear well are becoming a rare commodity. In the age of planned obsolescence, we’re starting to value things that last a long time and can be repaired, tinkered with, or even improved.
Smartphones are probably the most commonly replaced items in our day-to-day lives. Brits, for example,replacetheir phones every four years on average. Younger people do it even more often, as 18-to-24-year-olds say they buy a new phone every two years. The main reason is probably convenience, as 45% of British consumers say they’d rather buy a new phone when the old one stops working.
#4 32 Year Old Hat That Reddit Helped Me Replace
My dad has owned this hat for longer than I’ve been alive. I asked reddit a few months ago if they could help me find a replacement and I finally gifted it to him. He still plans on using the old one of course
#5 My Little Cousin Made Me A Bracelet Almost 5 Years Ago. It’s Hanging By A Thread So I Had To Have Her Make A Replacement
#6 This Playground Ladder
The European Parliament, however, isencouragingEU citizens to repair their devices instead of getting new ones. They implemented changes requiring smartphone manufacturers to offer extended warranties so people can get repairs even seven years after the model stops being sold in the EU. Manufacturers must also make software updates available for at least five years after that model is no longer available to buy.
This is how the EU is battling electronic waste and ecological and sustainability concerns. As of 2023, 5.2 million tonnes of electrical and electronic waste were collected all around the EU. With the changes that the parliament has implemented, they expect to also save 2.2 TWh of electricity consumed by 2030.
#7 A Real World Example Of A Bell Curve
Normal distribution
#8 Shovel After 2 Years
#9 Brick
Buying new stuff instead of repairing it is more convenient, of course, but that doesn’t mean that people are against it. In fact, according to a European Commission study, 77% of consumerswantto repair items instead of replacing them with new ones. However, that’s not always an option because of high repair costs, non-replaceable parts like lithium-ion batteries, and components glued shut instead of secured with screws.
#10 Gave My Dad This Wallet When I Was 4, I’m Gonna Be 16 Soon And He Still Uses It
#11 Many Dog Treats Scooped
#12 My Local Butcher’s Chopping Board
Although it sounds like a very Boomer-esque thing to say, things were sturdier and lasted longer back in the day. Even household appliances don’t have the same shelf life they used to. Dr. Mansoor Soomro, a lecturer at Teesside University, researches why objects don’t last as long as they used to and has concluded that kitchen appliance lifespans have dropped by 20%-30% since the 2000s.
#13 My Leather Work Gloves After 4 Years As An Aircraft Mechanic On Russian Planes vs. A New Pair. The One On The Left Was The Same Color As On The Right Originally
#14 Found On A Very Windy Lighthouse
#15 Fence ‘N Tree
According to Dr. Soomro, high-tech improvements and sophisticated manufacturing are the undoing of the reliable, good-quality appliances of the past. “Modern appliances often rely on complex circuit boards and software, which can be more prone to failure over time than simpler mechanical components,” heexplainedto The Telegraph.
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#16 Baby Toy 45 Years Apart
#17 Cat’s Old Scratch Pad vs. New One
#18 The Sun Damage On This Motel Telephone Avoids The Shadow Of The Phone Itself
Also, people want appliances that don’t break the bank, so, manufacturers cut corners and take the low-cost way. “The pressure to keep prices competitive is leading manufacturers to cut corners on materials or simplify designs, potentially impacting long-term durability,” Dr. Soomro said. “Overall, it’s fair to say consumers are likely spending more on appliances compared to the last few decades.”
#19 13 Year Old Docs
#20 My Coworkers 70 Yr Old Vice Grips vs. My New Ones
#21 Original Sun Beaten 2008 Wall-E Sticker Still In Local Cinema Window
What’s your favorite item at home that’s durable, good-quality, and has endured the test of time, Pandas? Share your well-worn favorites with us in the comments! And if you’d like to see more high-quality items that have stood the test of time, check out thesethrift finds that were too good not to shareand thesecool antiques that have become pieces of history.
#22 Shoes Of A Wheelchair User Since 2014
#23 23 Years And Still Works Perfectly
#24 Wooden Pole Has Worn Down To 1/3 Of What It Was From The Dock Hitting It
#25 Local Deli In My Little Town
#26 This Patch Of The Lawn That My Dog Has Been Waking In For The Past 6 Years Almost Everyday
#27 Press *red* Button
#28 My Original Cricut Scraper And The One I Just Bought To Retire It
#29 1807 Church Bell Tower Stairs
#30 10+yrs Of Bass Guitar Use vs. A New Pick
#31 5 Months Of Using A Smart Water Bottle Through-Hiking In Europe vs. New
#32 Chain On Ferry In Montenegro
#33 New vs. Old Work Jeans
#34 37 Years Of Wear On My Mail Truck Key
#35 Clipboard Just Had Its 30th Birthday
#36 My Grandfather Rode His Motorcycle So Much His Jacket Is Sunfaded Where The Light Hits It
#37 Thousands Of Noses
#38 Most Popular Spot In The Elevator
#39 My Wife’s Boots After 3 Years Of Factory Work vs. The Brand New Ones
#40 People Are Kind
#41 Knee Pads After 5-6 Months Of Use
#42 Dropped A Deer Off At The Local Butchery And They Had A Bucket Of These
#43 Old Folder I Got From Freshman Year High School
This folder was given to me in my freshman year of high school when Bill de Blasio was mayor and Kathryn Garcia of nyc was commissioner and now I’m graduating college with it lol
#44 Hook Staging
#45 My 005 Pen Nib After 5+ Years
#46 New vs. Old Door Stops
#47 The Tamper Tag On My Electricity Meter Slapping Around In The Wind For Years
#48 Apple Pen Tip After Probably ~2-3 Years Of Daily Use vs. Replacement
#49 Door
#50 Five Years Apart
#51 Show Must Go On!
#52 3 Years Of Daily Riding And 1 Accident vs. Brand New Boots
#53 Old vs. New Belt
#54 Punch Bag S-Hook At My Gym
#55 Scrub Daddy I’ve Used For 2 Years vs. The New One I Just Got
#56 Many Years Old Korky Toilet Flapper vs. Brand New Very Pretty & Shiny One
#57 59 Years Of Wear On My Fender Bass Guitar
#58 Brother Had No Idea That You Can Replace The Blade
#59 My Boyfriends Drumsticks After 5 Years
#60 This Laptop Found On Instagram
#61 My Old Ice Scraper. Worn From Years Of Use
#62 Favorite Pokemon Card From When I Was A Kid
#63 Three Year Old Crocs vs. New
#64 My Grandparents Living Room Floor
#65 My Wire Brush After 1 Week Of Use
#66 Door Handle
#67 My Old Mac Next To My New Mac
#68 ~4 Year Old Sticker Replaced
#69 An Old Squid Keychain And A New One
#70 Same Watch: One New, One 4 Years Old
#71 The Rock That Has Been Lodged In My Shoe Is Wearing Down With The Heel
#72 8 Year Old Gaming Keypad Still Works
#73 Apple Card Old vs. New
#74 10 Year Old Mower Blade vs. New Mower Blade
#75 This Contigo Thermos That I’ve Had For About 10 Years
#76 My Wife’s Slippers
#77 New vs. 8 Months Of Portioning Pizza Dough Balls
#78 Skateboard Riser Pads From A Now Defunct Company After 10+ Years Of Use
#79 My Baby Blanket
#80 The Credit Card Machine At The Grocery Store. Guess What Our Area Code Is
#81 Garden Brush
#82 Holds For Pin On Leg Curl Machine
#83 Jeans That Perfectly Fit My Old Phone
#84 Soap Used On Eyebrows For 6 Years
#85 What Do You Guys Think The Mileage Is On These Bad Boys?
#86 My Dad’s Kitchen Timer
