If you get to hang around this planet long enough, you’ll notice that most things get rebranded sooner or later. For example, my grandmother wore a girdle.

It was quite a sturdy contraption that probably would have stopped a bullet, but she didn’t feel dressed up without having one on.

Girdles are still around, but they’ve been made over and are now called “shapewear”.

A popular brand is “Spanx”.

I am certain about one thing: whatever the foundation garment may called, women can’t wait to get out of it at the end of the day!

Instant Pots exploded in popularity several years ago. This kitchen gadget is basically a pressure cooker.

Which, by the way, my grandmother also had, and used. The two devices do basically the same thing, although Instant Pots are much safer for less experienced cooks to use. This is due to being electric instead of used on the stovetop, as well as having built-in safeguards.

Honestly, I was never brave enough to use either one.

A crock pot was more my speed, and it certainly isn’t quick like the other two devices are! But it sure does turn out a delicious pot roast. Then there’s the tiny house craze. They are very cute, for sure. And spaceefficient. However, after my parents divorced 55 years ago, Dad lived in a singlewide trailer (aka mobile home) for a bit. I was just a child, and it even felt small to me. The tiny house seems to be very similar to that trailer, both in terms of size and mobility. There are tiny house communities, just like there are trailer park communities. Everything old is new again.

And in a slightly different vein, some rebrands seem dumb. When the musician Prince changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol, he had valid reasons, but then no one knew what to call him, except “the artist formerly known as Prince”.

Doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. And Twitter is now “X”. This is confusing to everyone, and dilutes its brand name recognition.

Weight Watchers is a legend in the diet industry – but WW doesn’t mean much to most people. Comcast to Xfinity and Angie’s List to Angi… what were they thinking?

I guess I’m just glad to still be around to witness all of these changes. And especially happy to not have to wear shapewear on a daily basis!

Laura lives in Zion Crossroads with her husband and two cats. She can be reached at hallielaura@gmail.com.