Time, money, resources, freedom — all gone because most of what we buy is built to fail.
The Problem
Crapification happened slowly. In the past we made and bought rugged, repairable things. Now most products are cheap, fragile, and designed to be replaced.
Planned obsolescence, proprietary parts, and punishing repair policies turn goods into ongoing expenses and frustration.
Why It Matters for Minimalists
Minimalism and thrift are about reducing the unnecessary, saving money, and reclaiming time.
Crap consumes all three: it creates clutter, drains cash with repeated replacements, and eats time in returns and troubleshooting. That’s the opposite of a simple life.
How to Decrapify — 5 Actions
- 1. Refuse junk purchases. Wait 30 days before buying nonessential items; buy used or durable instead.
- 2. Learn one repair skill. Start with a phone battery replacement, a sewing hem, or a basic appliance fix.
- 3. Choose longevity over novelty. Prioritize products with repair manuals, replaceable parts, and good warranties.
- 4. Ditch subscription/upgrades. Cancel automatic upgrades and question services that force repeat spending.
- 5. Build local repair networks. Swap, barter, join repair cafés or community tool libraries.
Closing Challenge
This year: start small and repair one thing, refuse one upgrade, and skip one major retailer — see how much simpler and richer life feels.
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