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In this episode of The Quiet Rebellion, Kathie Lapcevic chats with Lisa Sharp from Retro Housewife Goes Green about the power of vintage skills in modern life. From cooking from scratch to mending clothes, they explore how these timeless practices foster self-sufficiency, resilience, and even quiet rebellion against overconsumption. They also tackle the myth that vintage skills are outdated or anti-feminist, showing how they can actually be empowering. Plus, practical tips for getting started—without overwhelm or perfection! Tune in for an inspiring conversation on simple, intentional living.
Key Topics Discussed:
Defining Vintage Skills
- Cooking from scratch, mending clothes, and using what you already have.
- Lessons from the Great Depression: resourcefulness and self-sufficiency.
- These skills are disappearing but remain incredibly useful today.
Why Vintage Skills Matter in 2025
- Economic uncertainty, job insecurity, and supply chain issues make self-sufficiency empowering.
- A sense of security comes from knowing how to take care of yourself.
The Quiet Rebellion of Vintage Skills
- A way to step back from overconsumption and mindless capitalism.
- Living more mindfully, making intentional choices, and slowing down.
Vintage Skills & Feminism: Can They Coexist?
- Absolutely! It’s about choice, not oppression.
- Skills like cooking and mending don’t have to be tied to outdated gender roles.
- They can actually provide independence and resist reliance on a system that often disadvantages women.
Making Vintage Skills Doable for Busy People
- Start small: choose one skill that excites you, like baking bread or mending clothes.
- Progress comes with practice—perfection isn’t the goal.
- Build a community: barter skills with friends or neighbors.
Social Media vs. Reality: Perfection is a Myth
- Fancy meals and picture-perfect mending aren’t necessary.
- Most people eat the same meals on repeat—simple, nourishing food is enough.
- Marketing has always pushed an idealized version of homemaking (just like social media does today).
Preserving Vintage Knowledge for the Future
- Many skills have been lost because they weren’t passed down.
- Libraries, vintage books, blogs, and YouTube are excellent learning resources.
- Asking older relatives to share their knowledge can be a gift to both generations.
Using Vintage Skills to Strengthen Communities
- Bartering: swapping bread for eggs with a neighbor.
- Mutual aid: cooking for people involved in activism.
- Supporting local charities: donating homegrown produce or handmade goods.
- Recognizing that not everyone has to contribute in the same way—find a role that fits your strengths.
The Importance of Balance
- Technology is a tool—there’s no shame in using a bread machine or a dishwasher.
- Being online is helpful, but so is stepping away and engaging in hands-on skills.
- The goal is not to recreate the past but to integrate its wisdom into modern life.
Memorable Quotes & Sound Bites:
💬 “We’re not glamorizing the past; we’re learning from it.” – Lisa
💬 “Feminism is about choice. You don’t have to reject vintage skills to be a modern woman.” – Lisa
💬 “Perfection gets in the way of a lot of things. Aim for a B+, not an A+.” – Kathie
💬 “None of us can do everything, but every little bit helps.” – Lisa
Final Thoughts:
This episode was a warm and thoughtful discussion about reclaiming vintage skills in a way that fits modern life. It reinforced that small, mindful changes—learning one new skill, sharing knowledge with others, or simply appreciating the value of self-sufficiency—can have a big impact.
Find Lisa Sharp
Retro Housewife Goes Green Blog
Join The Sustainable Living Collective