Is It Worth Fixing? The Lazy Person’s Flowchart (Without the Flowchart)
You don’t need a spreadsheet to decide whether to fix your favorite hoodie, that backpack with the ripped strap, or your kid’s sock with a hole the size of Texas. You just need some common sense and maybe a little stubbornness.
Is this thing the only one you have?
If it’s your only winter coat, fix it.
If it’s your only backpack, fix it.
If it’s your only pair of jeans that actually fits? You guessed it: fix it.
Scarcity can make decisions really easy.
Will it take fewer than 15 minutes to fix it?
Can you slap on a patch, safety pin it for now, or glue the hem back together and be done before your coffee gets cold? Cool. Fuckin’ do it.
If it takes more than that, make a plan or move on. Mental bandwidth counts too.
Is it sentimental or super useful?
Maybe it’s not practical, but it’s yours. It could be Grandma’s quilt. Your kid’s beloved, handmade camp shirt. The hoodie you wore through college.
If it gives you a warm fuzzy or solves a problem in a way nothing else does, it may earn a spot on the “fix it” list – even if it’s real fucking annoying to figure out how to do so.
Acknowledge some materials aren’t worth fixing
Some stuff just isn’t built to last or repair. Know what you’re dealing with before you break out the needle and thread or decide to invest your time on it.
- Synthetics (like polyester or nylon blends): Often slippery, melt-prone, or so thin that stitching just makes new holes. If it frays when you breathe on it, move on.
- Stretchy athletic wear: Spandex can be impossible to patch neatly. If the stretch is blown out, you’re better off repurposing it as rags or hair ties.
- Cheap knits: If you tug it and it warps into a sad spaghetti shape, repairs probably won’t hold for long.
Instead, try to prioritize:
- Cotton and denim: Easy to patch and reinforce.
- Wool and canvas: Durable, fixable, and often forgiving of messy stitches.
- Sturdy bags, coats, and outdoor gear: If you can sew a patch or reinforce a seam, they’re often worth the trouble.
3 Takeaways
- Fix things if they’re the only one you’ve got, take under 15 minutes, or mean something to you.
- Learn to spot fabrics that are worth your time. Natural, sturdy materials tend to mend better than synthetics or stretch fabrics.
- Don’t overthink it. Done is better than perfect, and some stuff is just destined to become cleaning rags.
Feature image courtesy Pavel Danilyuk/Pexels
