Thrifting and Repurposing can be so more than a hobby; it’s an appreciative nod to times past, old tools, and analogous living.

Making Upcycling a Lifestyle

It’s no secret that many of us live in excess, whether we want to admit it or not. The newest coats, shoes, cooking utensils, and decor easily fill every nook and cranny of our homes. This longing for “new” pulls at us, letting us believe that our homes, our wardrobe, and even our habits need to be wiped clean at the dawn of each season.

But what if we started looking to what we already had, recycling household items? Or finding items from times past that were once sturdy and can be again with some TLC? The vintage sconces that have been collecting dust in the garage for the past 3 years. The scrap wood that’s been taking up space in the shed. The piece of decor you picked up at a yard sale that you haven’t found a spot for yet. In doing so, you are making the conscious decision to turn your eyes away from “shiny and new” to “used and meaningful.”

Breathing New Life into Antiquated Items

There is joy in creating with items or fragments that have been loved and used in the past. By looking at used articles and asking “what if,” you honor the piece’s story and make it a part of a new chapter that serves you. Being thrifty and resourceful is a way to practice analogous living.

So, what is analogous living?

Analogous living (“slow living”) is an intentional shift to focus on habits and everyday tools that don’t overcrowd our brains and overstimulate our nervous systems. It’s not a complete rejection of technology. Rather, it’s focused on decreasing time spent plugged into modern technology and allows for reflection of what we are giving our time and mental energy to

Analogue living practices ground us in the here and now. One of my favorite ways to practice is challenging myself to create unique and useful projects, looking to my own two hands to create what I need. Here I have laid out some of my favorite projects that have repurposing at their root.

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Rewiring an Old Rotary Phone

This is a project I embarked on back in 2020 and have only seen growing support and longing for types of projects like this since. Having a rotary phone teaches our kids and reteaches us that availability can have boundaries. That connection can be intentional. That spoken conversations have beginnings and endings. When you respond, you’re fully there. When it’s over, you return to the room you’re in.

It’s ok to opt out. Our rotary phone reminds us of this every day.

Full blog and YouTube video here

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Thrifted Radio Shack AM/FM Radio

This tiny Radio Shack antique has a home in our kitchen and turning the dial makes a wonderful start to the morning, setting a tone for the rest of the day (literally). Everything from the “years gone by” look to the scratch we hear as the signal catches is a simple joy that gives our brains a chance to slow down and listen, even for just a moment

It’s authentic, makes a tiny yet tasteful statement in our decor, and plants a seed of wonder as music floats through our home determined by each station, not the queue on our phone.

So, where’d we get it? The kids thrifted this gem but I’ve located similar versions on eBay 🙂

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Vintage Sconces

These sconces were collecting dust in the garage for years, waiting for the perfect moment to be installed.

The moment? My room renovation spree last winter. A year later, these remain some of my favorite additions!

I removed all of the wiring, drilled them in, and added rechargeable lightbulbs. A final dusting and now the kids have a gentle reading light and a unique addition to their rooms. Winding down for bed is a ritual, and it’s aided so much by the right light. It matters more than you’d think!

Read more here

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Wood Scraps and Spare Pieces, oh my!

Whether it’s wood from our 100-year-old barn we took down or leftover scraps from the chicken coop, there always seems to be extra wood on hand that’s ready to be used. Sometimes I’m inspired by the wood we have on hand, and other times I go shopping in my garage to fulfill the vision in my mind. Over time, this has yielded results that are rustic in aesthetic while remaining functional.

• Bi-fold closet doors
• Barn Door Inspired Baby Gate
• Wood Pile House
• Building a Desk
• Desk with a flush mount

My newest find was a desk from 1910, she’s sturdy, lived a lot of life, and fits perfectly on our main floor!

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Pin for Later!

Closing Thoughts

Creativity, especially when its fueld by analogue ideals, is an ongoing process. I’m constantly inspired by new pieces I find – there is always room in our house for projects that move with us and don’t add any extra stress or stimulation once installed.

Analogue living can look different for everyone. Even if it’s not home projects you resonate with, I encourage you to reflect on how often your brain is pulled into different directions (it’s a lot, trust me!) and how you can streamline this constant stimulation. Maybe for you it’s opening the window and listening to the birds while you eat, tackling a crossword puzzle before bed instead of scrolling, or digging up those sheets of fabric in your drawer and starting a sewing project.

There is so much value in slowing down, noticing what is all around us, and using it to better our living. How have you been practicing slow living? I’m curious to hear!