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Some folks see time from an existential perspective, a ceaseless force that can not be escaped and which will eventually consume all. But, setting that aside, time also has all sorts of interesting effects on the world around us. 

We’ve gathered some cool and curious examples of how time affects everyday items. We got in touch with Carolyn Becker, artist, thrifter, and creative to learn more about the value of old things in a practical way. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites, and share your thoughts below. 

#1

My Coworker Is Still Using The Same Post-It Note For 2 Years To Check His Pens

My Coworker Is Still Using The Same Post-It Note For 2 Years To Check His Pens

SolarcatStarshine Report

#2

6 Lines On My Fingernails, One For Each Chemo Session I Had Recently

6 Lines On My Fingernails, One For Each Chemo Session I Had Recently

Rowadd Report

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Let’s All Just Try And Be Decent
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have these. I had no idea that's what was causing them and no one told me. It's weird the stuff they just don't bother to tell you because it's not "medically relevant". I never thought that's what would be causing it so never thought to ask. So thank you.

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#3

A Chunk Of My Red Hair From When I Was 16 Compared To My Faded With Time Hair Now That I'm 27

A Chunk Of My Red Hair From When I Was 16 Compared To My Faded With Time Hair Now That I'm 27

Red hair tends to lose its redness over time, it's very common.

fiori_ Report

Bored Panda got in touch with Carolyn Becker, artist, thrifter, and creative from Findingyourgood.org to learn more about thrifting, old items, and how it affects the world around us. Naturally, we wanted to know how she got into thrifting in the first place. 

“I sometimes joke that I was born at a nonprofit Goodwill store! I’ve been thrifting my whole life, ever since I was a kid in the ‘90s. My parents would take my brother and me thrifting for necessities and clothing for school. For us, it was the economical thing to do and a no-brainer way to save money for other life priorities.”

#4

My 2-Decades-Old Water Bottle Gave Out Last Week, And Nalgene Just Sent The Replacement

My 2-Decades-Old Water Bottle Gave Out Last Week, And Nalgene Just Sent The Replacement

I don’t know how many metric tons of water I consumed out of this, how many miles it traveled with me, or the number of times it tumbled down a rocky trail, but the answer to all of them is a lot. It finally met its demise last week when it fell out of my stationary car. I reached out to Nalgene, and their replacement just arrived. I don’t have much customer loyalty, but Nalgene is pretty great.

chrislon_geo Report

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#5

Steps Leading Up To The Old Wall Around Dinkelsbühl, Germany

Steps Leading Up To The Old Wall Around Dinkelsbühl, Germany

blaarfengaar Report

#6

Blanket With 25 Years Of Love That’s Being Put Away For Safe Keeping vs. An Unused Version My Spouse Surprised Me With

Blanket With 25 Years Of Love That’s Being Put Away For Safe Keeping vs. An Unused Version My Spouse Surprised Me With

mossy_vee Report

“I sometimes think back, with regret, about all the vintage I saw and didn’t think of buying as a teen. The memory of the acid-washed jeans that I passed on live rent-free in my brain. The only Abercrombie I ever wore came straight from a Goodwill store.” While this might seem like looking for a needle in a haystack, it’s more possible than you might think

#8

My New Prosthetic Foot Shell Versus The One I Walked On For Two Years

My New Prosthetic Foot Shell Versus The One I Walked On For Two Years

stalnoypirat Report

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Let’s All Just Try And Be Decent
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's awful that you had to use the old one in that condition. It's amazing that we have things like this but even the new one looks like it could be better. I hope the new one is more comfortable and that soon they'll be able to replace it with something even more comfortable for you.

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#9

My Mom's Dog Can Open The Door, And This Is Where Her Paw Has Worn Down The Wall Over The Years

My Mom's Dog Can Open The Door, And This Is Where Her Paw Has Worn Down The Wall Over The Years

kamicham Report

Naturally, given the “risks” involved, we were curious to hear what exactly she liked about thrifting so much. “Personally, I love thrifting for so many reasons….I could write a whole book. As a petite woman, it’s very difficult to find clothing in my style that fits me just right. Thrifting has opened up the opportunity for me to find the uniquely sized pieces that fit just right (thank you, small Grandmas, with stellar retro wardrobes) and/or experiment without breaking the bank. Since thrift finds also cost close to nothing, I can use the money saved to alter/tailor pieces that I can truly enjoy forever.”

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#10

27 Years Of Daily Cuddling Including Many Attempts To Repair Him

27 Years Of Daily Cuddling Including Many Attempts To Repair Him

EquiinoX96 Report

#11

This Spoon Has Been In My Family For About 70 Years, And Still Going Strong

This Spoon Has Been In My Family For About 70 Years, And Still Going Strong

mandy563 Report

“Thrifting is also, for me, self-care, a way to be in a flow state, looking, perusing, and vibing. The thrift community is diverse and enriching. I learn so much from the people I thrift with and simply see at Goodwill. Thrifting is for everyone, and I am always surprised and delighted by the people I meet,” she shared with Bored Panda. In general, there are a lot of interesting examples out there of the strange things people collect.

#13

My Daughter’s Favorite Stuffed Animal “Scratch” vs. The New Backup Replacement

My Daughter’s Favorite Stuffed Animal “Scratch” vs. The New Backup Replacement

ProfessionalFox9617 Report

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Jack Burton
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same for my daughter with a little stuffed wolf. We bought a backup at the time but she never lost the original one. So basically they don't even look like each other 10 y later.

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#14

The Difference Between A Brand New Sketchbook And A Full One (The Same Exact Sketchbook)

The Difference Between A Brand New Sketchbook And A Full One (The Same Exact Sketchbook)

luvmell Report

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Carla Phillips
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This entire picture reminds me of my daughter. I hope the OP is using art to avoid self harm.

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#15

Floor In Front Of The Counter At The Pharmacy I Go To

Floor In Front Of The Counter At The Pharmacy I Go To

KnightBourne Report

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Jaya
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Interesting how apparently a lot of people stand with their right foot slightly closer to the counter

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“I have new creative ideas when thrifting, inspired by finds that come from the past and present. Learning: I love learning about the history of my community, human behavior, fashion music….everything via thrifting.” While this might seem counterintuitive, there is a whole list of interesting ideas from the past, just waiting to be rediscovered.

#16

This Stand At A Restaurant Has A New Candle Placed One After The Other

This Stand At A Restaurant Has A New Candle Placed One After The Other

DavyCrockPot19 Report

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John George
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was a restaurant here in Tucson ("Pancho's") that had one like this, multiple colors, several feet tall. Made "Ripley's Believe it or Not!"

Raymond Smith
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I seen something similar at a restaurant in Chandler At that had a multi colored pile of wax on the floor that was about 1 yard high.

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#17

Strasbourg Cathedral

Strasbourg Cathedral

DontTouchGrandad Report

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Mark Rudolph
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We saw similar wear in the stone of a medieval church in the small German town of Quedlinburg. We were talking a walking tour of the town, and I noticed numerous symetric round pits in the wall of the church up to perhaps 10cm across and no higher than chest height. They weren't associated with any metal parts. The docent said the best guess as to their origin is that churchgoers would scrape a few grains of the sandstone out and ingest them in order to literally incorporate the church into themselves, although no one knew for sure anymore. Over the years, the pits grew grain by grain to a significant size.

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#18

Brand New Pikachu Replacing Its 15-Year-Old Sun-Bleached Cousin

Brand New Pikachu Replacing Its 15-Year-Old Sun-Bleached Cousin

AmazingDevo Report

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Kirsten Kerkhof
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder why the feet didn't get bleached. I'd think they were made of the same material.

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“Giving back to others feeds my soul and I love knowing that when I use my dollar to support nonprofits like Goodwill, I am truly helping others in need and important missions. Our purchases have power and shape the world we want to live in! Thrifting benefits the environment in so many ways we don’t realize or think about.”

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#21

Brand New Work Boots And The 6-Year-Old Boots They’re Replacing

Brand New Work Boots And The 6-Year-Old Boots They’re Replacing

myovarieshurt Report

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April
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My son’s work boots are faded and stained and worn. I offered to get him a new pair for Christmas and he was nearly hyperventilating. “Do you know how long it takes to get boots comfortable?!?!?” Apparently no, I do not know.

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“Thrifting reduces the transport needed in fast fashion, shipping, and trucking items from factories to store floors. It keeps items out of local landfills. Reuse means not using land or the planet’s vital resources to make new pieces that won’t last. More thrifting = less plastic and packaging used on new fast-fashion pieces The list is endless!”

#22

The Hoodie I Am Wearing When Working From Home, Window Is On The Left Of The Desk

The Hoodie I Am Wearing When Working From Home, Window Is On The Left Of The Desk

latflickr Report

#23

Before And After Water Filters From The Water System At My Work. 7 Days Of Use

Before And After Water Filters From The Water System At My Work. 7 Days Of Use

foco_del_fuego Report

#24

18-Year-Old Tyvek (Never-Tear Paper) Wallet Next To A Brand New One

18-Year-Old Tyvek (Never-Tear Paper) Wallet Next To A Brand New One

RoverTBiggs182 Report

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Last, but not least, we were curious to hear if she had any best finds in her long and illustrious experience. “So many! I once found a whole lot of vintage designer pieces on a Goodwill rack. Think Chanel blazer, quilted Yves Saint Laurent….there must have been 20 pieces…many I still have ‘til this day. As of recent, I found a vintage leather ‘70s poncho for less than $15 at Goodwill in Gaithersburg, MD. It’s intricately designed and could be in a museum!” You can find more of Carolyn Becker’s work on Instagram or her website

#25

These Stairs In A Church Bell Tower

These Stairs In A Church Bell Tower

highvolkage Report

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Mark
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I LOVE old church bell towers. I"ve been in several, and the feeling of walking into the room on those rickety wooden stairs, and the levers and pulleys needed to operate the bells are so beautiful

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#26

How Sun-Bleached These VHS Tapes Are. The Whole Display Was The Same

How Sun-Bleached These VHS Tapes Are. The Whole Display Was The Same

HarryWWII Report

#27

The Way These Door Handles Have Worn Down The Wall They Hit

The Way These Door Handles Have Worn Down The Wall They Hit

beefytrailmix Report

#28

Winnie-The-Pooh Baby Blanket: New vs. 21 Years Of Use

Winnie-The-Pooh Baby Blanket: New vs. 21 Years Of Use

PieLover6699 Report

#29

This Worn-Out Road After Buses Stopping There Every 1-4 Minutes

This Worn-Out Road After Buses Stopping There Every 1-4 Minutes

Legal-Philosophy-445 Report

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#30

My Finger After I Finally Got Off A Ring That’s Been On For 2,5 Years Straight

My Finger After I Finally Got Off A Ring That’s Been On For 2,5 Years Straight

AndersonZR Report

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DetriMentaL
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

(@.@)!? Nu-uh.. Ring's too tight i panic, if it doesn't slip off comfortably then it doesn't go on.

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#31

My Baby Blanket. I’m 22 And Can’t Sleep Without It

My Baby Blanket. I’m 22 And Can’t Sleep Without It

Standard_Honeydew909 Report

#32

The Remains Of This Hammer Stuck In Asphalt

The Remains Of This Hammer Stuck In Asphalt

marmosetohmarmoset Report

#33

The Pristine Q On My Keyboard Cover After 5 Years Of Use

The Pristine Q On My Keyboard Cover After 5 Years Of Use

twinightstream7 Report

#34

My Work Overalls When I First Thrifted Them In November 2020 vs. April 2023

My Work Overalls When I First Thrifted Them In November 2020 vs. April 2023

mightymarmalade Report

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Let’s All Just Try And Be Decent
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What are you washing them in to lose the colour so much?! Even if working outside, that seems a bit nuts?!

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#36

Behavioral Biases. Distribution Is Pretty Normal, But 95 Always Rounds To 100

Behavioral Biases. Distribution Is Pretty Normal, But 95 Always Rounds To 100

NunoClara_ Report

#37

3.5-Year-Old Wire Brush Used Every Day Compared To A Brand New One

3.5-Year-Old Wire Brush Used Every Day Compared To A Brand New One

AusiiM Report

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#38

Cards After Being Played With For Almost 20 Years

Cards After Being Played With For Almost 20 Years

No_Driver_1655 , No_Driver_1655 Report

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ZGutr
Community Member
8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hi mom !! (oh how i wish) She had the same deck in blue and red. Played them every evening when we went to bed. That's how they looked.

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#39

I Saw People Sharing Their Wear And Thought I’d Share The Wear On My Almost 10-Year-Old Docs

I Saw People Sharing Their Wear And Thought I’d Share The Wear On My Almost 10-Year-Old Docs

wafflebuggy Report

#40

My Wife And I Got This LEGO Figure At The Same Time. She Keeps Her Keys (Right) In Her Purse And I Keep Mine (Left) In My Pocket

My Wife And I Got This LEGO Figure At The Same Time. She Keeps Her Keys (Right) In Her Purse And I Keep Mine (Left) In My Pocket

smashing767 Report

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Aussie Atheist
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The features have been worn off by constant in and out friction by the pockets fabric

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#41

The Wear On My Clipboard After Three Years Of Taking Data For Speech Therapy

The Wear On My Clipboard After Three Years Of Taking Data For Speech Therapy

manateesocks Report

#42

The Effects Of Himalayan Sea Salt On A Book

The Effects Of Himalayan Sea Salt On A Book

vleetv Report

#43

Old vs. New Chocolate Chips

Old vs. New Chocolate Chips

ChairsAreIdiots Report

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Sharkie
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Chocolate is usually perfectly edible if just discoloured like this. It could be a rule to have the container filled, so why put away something ok if you get it from below anyway?

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#44

People Have A Favorite Soda At This Taco Bell

People Have A Favorite Soda At This Taco Bell

sewermans Report

#45

This Old Worn Key vs. A Freshly Cut One For The Same Vehicle

This Old Worn Key vs. A Freshly Cut One For The Same Vehicle

Vespyre Report

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Hippopotamuses
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Surely the old one stopped working some time ago. The cut doesn't bear any resemblance to the new key.

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#46

My Partner's Headphone Dent From Gaming

My Partner's Headphone Dent From Gaming

TheBadWife_ Report

#47

New Hat vs. 1 Year Of Regular Use. They Started Out The Same Color

New Hat vs. 1 Year Of Regular Use. They Started Out The Same Color

GEN_DISCOMFORT Report

#50

Lifecycle Of A Sponge: 3 Days, 3 Weeks, 3 Months

Lifecycle Of A Sponge: 3 Days, 3 Weeks, 3 Months

kol990 Report

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PandaJon
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The last one looks like an old man with 2 eyes and a wrinkled nose

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#51

This Key Was Used So Much That Another Hole Had To Be Drilled Into It

This Key Was Used So Much That Another Hole Had To Be Drilled Into It

Nothing-Mundane Report

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#52

24-Year-Old Santa Plush vs. The Same One Recently Bought From eBay

24-Year-Old Santa Plush vs. The Same One Recently Bought From eBay

aberrantmeat Report

#53

I've Had This Nokia 3310 Keychain Since Around 2002

I've Had This Nokia 3310 Keychain Since Around 2002

quadler Report

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#54

16 Years Worth Of Getting The Mail, Something Out Of The Car, Taking The Trash Out, Etc. vs. My New Crocs

16 Years Worth Of Getting The Mail, Something Out Of The Car, Taking The Trash Out, Etc. vs. My New Crocs

PhoneSteveGaveToTony Report

#55

Maybe I Shouldn’t Wait So Long To Change My Bike Tire Next Time

Maybe I Shouldn’t Wait So Long To Change My Bike Tire Next Time

reddit.com Report

#57

The Floor Of This Supermarket

The Floor Of This Supermarket

HsuRon Report

#58

4-Year-Old vs. New Black Jeans

4-Year-Old vs. New Black Jeans

cleaningProducts Report

#59

3 Years Of Use (I Don't Have A Car)

3 Years Of Use (I Don't Have A Car)

bailey3194 Report

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Esme Weatherwax
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like they might need something to adjust the obvious lean in their gait

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#60

New vs. Old Clipboard

New vs. Old Clipboard

phil_stricker Report

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#61

Log Book Used Daily For Two Years vs. Brand New Book

Log Book Used Daily For Two Years vs. Brand New Book

dutchywins Report

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#63

Decided To Replace My 4-Year-Old Belt Today

Decided To Replace My 4-Year-Old Belt Today

xxxxxxxxxxxxxc Report

#64

The Same Keychain After 1 Year Of Use

The Same Keychain After 1 Year Of Use

bigbootypanda Report

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Hippopotamuses
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The great thing about leather is that It develops a patina with use.

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#65

I’ve Never Seen A Hat Worn More Than My Uncle’s

I’ve Never Seen A Hat Worn More Than My Uncle’s

Major_Burnside Report