Thinking about the unstoppable flow of time and how it changes everything in its path can be unsettling. People have no choice but to grow old, and non-living things get worn down just the same. However, there’s a lot of beauty in being able to stand the test of time and having many stories to tell afterward.
To remind us what time is capable of, Bored Panda compiled a list of things that got graciously worn down over the years. Scroll down to find them, and don’t forget to upvote the ones that got the best transformation.
While you’re at it, make sure to check out a conversation with environmental educator and blogger at Zero Waste Cutie, Elizabeth Teo, who kindly agreed to share a few tips on how we can make our belongings last longer.
#1 My Teddybear I Had For Over 30 Years And One As Good As New
I had this bear my whole life, he was my best friend for a very long time. He got loved and very abused. I searched for one good as new to give it to my child one day!
Image credits: Allcappa
#2 This Dog Statue Is Worn Down From Being Petted So Much
Image credits: 5thCharmer
#3 Kannesteinen - Special Rock Formation Formed By The Sea
Image credits: C. Hill
Environmental educator and blogger at Zero Waste Cutie, Elizabeth Teo, tells us that she started her journey toward a more sustainable way of living after she realized how much waste she was producing and how little was being recycled.
#4 Stairs Worn Down By A Million Footsteps Over A Thousand Years At Sperlinga Castle, Sicily
Image credits: me-julie
#5 My Dads Cat Has Been Scratching The Same Leg Of This Bench For The Past Decade
Image credits: VitaminTHC420
#6 This Whole Brick Wall Which Has Been Shaped By The Sea
Image credits: Love_Land90
“It was overwhelming to think about the impact, not just on the planet but on future generations. The more I learned about environmental issues, the more I realized how small changes in my daily habits could make a huge difference. So, I decided to shift toward a more sustainable lifestyle, one step at a time—focusing on reducing waste, reusing items, and making conscious choices about what I buy and how I consume.”
#7 Before And After Powerwashing. New York Used To Be A Much Dirtier City Back When The Northeast Ran On Coal Plants
Image credits: imgur.com
#8 This Church In Detroit, Mi Hasn't Been Cleaned Since It Was Built 134 Years Ago. I Always Thought The Stone Was Black
Image credits: DetroitStalker
#9 My Mother’s Clipboard From Doing The Newspapers Crossword Puzzles For 30 Years
Image credits: pairofcrocs
With a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto, Elizabeth blends her academic knowledge and professional experience in environmental nonprofits to raise awareness and offer practical solutions to environmental challenges people often face, like fast fashion, waste management, and climate change, focusing on various social implications.
#10 This Is A Real Knife That Is Used By The Fish Cutter At My Current Job. He's Been Using It For 35 Years
Image credits: oadge
#11 Good Boi Loves The Wind
The amount of time this dog has leaned out their window...
Image credits: fa53
#12 Stone Stairs Worn By Clogs
Image credits: NZTreeSprout
A great way we can reduce waste and be more environmentally friendly is to take care of our belongings and fix them when they get worn down instead of retiring them to a landfill. Elizabeth suggests we can start doing that by shifting our mindset. “Instead of seeing items as disposable, we can treat them as investments,” she said.
#13 Was Told To Post This Here. The Local Place I Play Ping Pong At. They Haven’t Changed The Tables In 20 Yrs
Image credits: Dardan311
#14 The Floor Has Worn Out Where People Have Been Standing At My Local Shop
Image credits: whitebicycle9
#15 Years Of Water-Flow From This Drainage Pipe Has Worn This Bit Of Sidewalk Down To The Rocky Base
Image credits: reddit.com
“Regular maintenance is key,” Elizabeth noted, “whether it's cleaning things properly, repairing them when needed, or storing them in ways that prevent wear and tear. For example, wash clothes in cold water, patch up small holes in clothing before they get worse, and regularly oil wooden furniture to keep it from drying out. When you love and care for your belongings, they last much longer and often work better!”
#16 The Bells Hanging On The Back Door Of My Parents House
These bells have been hanging on this door since 2011 and their dogs ring them to go outside.
Image credits: SuperNotit
#17 Melted Steps
Image credits: Historical_Bird_5323
#18 A Mooring Pole For The Local Ferry
Image credits: hmpfmaster
When it comes to fixing, mending, reusing, or repurposing things that might’ve been worn over time, Elizabeth advises to embrace your inner DIYer. “There are so many simple fixes that can breathe new life into worn items. If clothes are getting frayed or torn, learn to sew (take a class or ask a friend—my brother is so skilled at this!). Patching up holes or adding fabric patches can make them look unique and stylish. Old jars can become planters, and fabric scraps can be transformed into quilts, bags, or even reusable gift wrap.”
#19 A Melting Sign In Mid Wales
I don't even know what's happened here, but it looked gross, I love it.
Image credits: Countbook
#20 Water Spirit Tummy Rubs
Takayama Japan, not sure who this water spirit is but he seems to get a lot of tummy rubs.
Image credits: Marchus80
#21 The Railing On This Dock Has Groves Worn Into It From Years Of People Pulling Up Crab Traps
Image credits: -McLaren-F1-
“For things like furniture, a fresh coat of paint or new hardware can make them look brand new,” she added. “The key is to get creative and see the potential in what others might discard. A little effort can turn something old into something functional and beautiful again!”
#22 This Light Post Is Outside Of A Popular Music Club In New Orleans. After 40 Years Of Having Band Flyers Stapled To It, There's No More Room
Image credits: markeees
#23 500 Years Of Walking Up The Marble Stairs Of The Leaning Tower Of Pisa
Image credits: choderama
#24 My Hair Stylist Only Uses One Chair
Image credits: hyunibee
For more ideas that can help us live more sustainably, make sure to check out our previous article on small ways we can help our environment or this piece on zero waste tips and tricks that might inspire you to produce less waste.
#25 The Door Of Forbidden Planet In NYC
Image credits: Local-Objective9511
#26 The One And Only Basketball That Lives At The Local Park And Somehow Still Bounces
Image credits: sangallium
#27 This Parking Garage At The Golden Nugget
Image credits: reddit.com
#28 These Trees Are Curved Due To The Constant Airflow From Nearby Exhaust Vents
Image credits: train_global
#29 Tiles In A Restaurant Worn Down After 83 Years Of Use
Image credits: hitlers-wet-dream
#30 This Honolulu Stop Sign Bleached By The Sun
Image credits: Whey-Men
#31 Plastic Turf Underneath Swings
Why are we using plastic turf? It heats up to really high temperatures in the sun (especially dark colours like BLACK), it gives horrendous carpet burns, and it can’t be repaired. What happened to wood chips?
Image credits: lldaffodill
#32 This Shortcut Symbolizes Human Laziness (Yes, I Use It)
Image credits: Aukrust
#33 Stone On This Italian Castle Being Completely Worn Down By 700 Years Of Rainfall Dripping Off The Roof Onto The Exact Same Spot
Image credits: VersaceRabbit
#34 A Cinderblock That Washed Up On The Beach After A Bit Of Time Tumbling Around In The Ocean Currents
Image credits: reddit.com
#35 Generations Of Deer Rubbing Their Antlers On The Only “Tree” For Miles
Image credits: darwinpatrick
#36 Pretty Close To A Normal Distribution In Gym Machine
it shows the frequency that each weight is used!
Image credits: iLikeWeringHighSocks
#37 Can’t Even Count The Layers On This One
Image credits: Plodo99
#38 A Turn On The Way Out Of A Grocery Store
Image credits: Leather_Guacamole420
#39 The More This Seat Is Worn Down The More It Reveals The Old Design
Image credits: GhostWokiee
#40 Pool Stick
Clearly this pool stick has been used a little too long
Image credits: SalamaMama
#41 7 Year Old Ice Scoop vs. Brand New
Image credits: last_word23
#42 After 10yrs, Time For An Update
Had this on my keychain for a long time. The old one lost its last leg today, so it's time to replace it. The new guy has been waiting in the drawer for years now.
It's interesting (at least to me) to see how not only the printing, but the material has worn off over time, for example on the helmet.
Image credits: woollyllama
#43 I’ve Never Noticed The Imprint Left Behind In Train Stations
Image credits: Chanclaphobia
#44 Work Jeans
Image credits: bbbushy
#45 Door Lock
Image credits: listentosoundtheft
#46 Ty Penguin 9 Years Apart
Was gifted the penguin on the left 9 years ago by my girlfriend, it’s been on my keys every day sense, just got the one on the right for my birthday. His name is waddles
Image credits: one2tree1
#47 2034 Midori Hibino
Every thought, every time I exercised, every major event. Love this. GPT another for2025
Image credits: Just-Equipment-2337
#48 Elizebeth Line Bench
Image credits: KieranB02
#49 Parking Spots At A Post Office Built In 1934
Image credits: shoski13
#50 I’ve Been Using The Same Home-Made Hammer For 20 Years. Here’s How It Looks Like Today
Image credits: shadowdsfire
