How I Started Fixing My Broken Things

I’m ashamed to admit that I didn’t start mending because I was trying to live “zero waste”. That habit was a child born of necessity.

I used to have an easy way to fix things: my parents. As I’ve said before, having a support system makes living zero waste a whole heck of a lot easier. My mom could hem, patch, and generally alter any torn up piece of clothing I threw at her. My dad generally fixed things around the house, including many a broken toy, gadget, and the occasional piece of furniture.

But moving to Seattle marked a big shift in how I maintained my belongings. Suddenly, I couldn’t bring a problematic item to my parents before Sunday night dinners. Also, Seattle meant a higher cost of living and working retail put me on a far tighter budget than when I was in St. Louis. I couldn’t afford to buy new things just because old things wore out.

Now living zero waste isn’t a guarantee that you’ll save money, but mending and repairing your own stuff sure is. Here are the skills I’ve developed (or am developing) since I’ve been living on a budget:

Darning

(especially important if you love socks as much as I do)

Patching

(Bonus: A great way to express yourself)

Jeans with a hole in the knee, covered with a saucy patch

Favorite jacket representing a favorite roller derby team

Superglue-ing

(especially important if you have a cat that knocks things over)

No need to sacrifice your favorite mug just because the handle breaks.

Painting

(especially important if you buy home goods second-hand)

This mini-shelf had a ton of nicks and scuffs. A fresh coat of paint and it’s like new!

Turns out fixing my stuff isn’t a part of being zero waste. It’s a part of growing up.

Mending is about taking responsibility and taking action, not taking stuff for granted. You gain a lot more respect for your belongings and I personally feel grateful for what I have when I mend things. In my opinion, fixing things when they break is not only sustainable, it makes you a better person.

What’s Next?

My new goal is to break out the big guns. I want to start working on my car rather than taking it into the shop. Considering I will be relying less on my artistic/crafting skills when I fix my car than when I fix my jeans, I’ll need all the support I can get. Wish me luck!