Keep it Useful
“Life is more about what you don’t do than what you do. ”
I love tools. They are one of the most simple and utilitarian inventions humans have created. They help make our lives easier, happier and in some cases, keep us alive. For some, tools are delegated to the garage and are only used once in a while for very specific projects. I see things a bit different. For me, almost everything I own is a tool, ready to be used for a wide range of purposes. It wasn’t always this way though and has become most evident in my wardrobe.
I used to have a closet full of clothes that were ready for every fashion occasion but would fail miserably in real-world conditions. I could get away with this because I always had a temperature-controlled shelter whether it be a car, house, store, etc. It wasn’t until I traded my bike for a car that things changed. Suddenly I was thrust into all kinds of conditions and needed useful clothes that could take the abuse. So I paired down to the essentials, getting pieces that were durable and built to survive the elements. This has, in turn, transformed the way I look at the products and items I use every day. If it doesn’t serve a purpose, I don’t keep it around. This has streamlined much of my possessions as I just don’t generally use a lot of things from day to day. Some may call this minimalism, I call it utilitarian.
As most things in life are labeled as tools, not everything falls into this category. Art is a great example of this. When humanity comes into the product equation, the rules start to change. No longer does it become just about utility, but our emotional connections and feelings we get from those items. This is an important aspect of our life and shouldn’t be overlooked. I have many things I would categorize as ‘artwork’ as they provide an emotional and inspirational connection to not only the artist but the place in time it was created. This can easily get out of hand though as evident in collecting, which I try to avoid. Emotions are a powerful force.
Just because something is useful doesn’t mean it has to be ugly. Every tool I have whether it be clothes, furniture, or even a pencil, has been well designed. As an artist myself, I take this idea further than others might, for I can’t stand items that are ugly or poorly designed. For me, it needs to not only look good but function even better. I’ll gladly pay more for an item that’s well designed and lasts ten years, then something that works ok and last two.
When I do invite new items into my life, I go through a mental checklist of how this product will not only serve me but the environment around it. Here is my list of criteria that I go through.
Each item must be:
Sustainably & Ethically created
Well designed
Built to last
Is Multi-purpose and or reusable
Recyclable
In a perfect world, these criteria would be met every time but our world is far from it. It doesn't stop me from hitting as many as I can. Usefulness has shifted my perspective on not only the products I invite into my life, but how and why I use them. For life is more about what you don’t do than what you do.