Imagine a modern living room, maybe one that you stumble upon while renting a guest house. One that is designed to be feng shui or entirely aesthetically pleasing. How long would it take before you make an impression in a couch cushion, a nick on the end table, or burn a candle. Suddenly, this room is no longer a white canvas. The picture of a lifestyle is beginning to show colors.

There is a common duality that becomes apparent with what we have and enjoy. We love things that are new, fresh and we love things that are worn-in, comfortable. Essentially, we get attached to stuff we use, so much that the question of upgrading turns into a difficult affair.

Humans use things, it’s what we do. We grab things with our hands, and they immediately begin to turn into extensions of us. These objects, ideas, nouns all begin to blossom or deteriorate with our help, but they do not stay idle.

Newer endeavors always seem so thrilling. Maybe if I get a new golf club, I can cure my slice. This old chair is becoming too worn out, maybe a new one will be better for my back. Maybe if we just moved to a new city, we can be happier.

Alternatively, sometimes the old things just hit the right notes. This seven iron never misses, I will never get rid of it. Why should I dump this old chair? It is so comfortable and worn. This is the place where I grew up, and all my friends are here, why would I ever leave?

It’s not so unpopular to have these thoughts at arms with each other. You want something new, but you can’t justify getting it. Unfortunately, there is no wisdom here, there are no right answers or even a path to set yourself on. I think, personally, that we need to be less wasteful, but we live in a time where there are so many great, beautiful, and different things, and it is quite difficult when they are readily available.

If there is anything to take away from this constant dualism, is that we should take time to learn what we enjoy in life. We should strive to learn more and more about those appreciations to find what is quality and what isn’t. We need to find the sweet spot. What is worn-in, unbroken, or fixable? Do those things still bring you pleasure? Would replacing it be a status achievement only? I think we know the answers to these questions, but we struggle to temper our emotions when surrounded by so many shiny things.

I like my golf clubs with some wear and tear.