Earth is our only Home; Nature our guide. We must change our habits of consumption to live healthier lives, not one based on having more stuff crammed into our living space.
Plastic grocery bags will be banned in California January 1, 2025. Paper bags will replace them, but that will lead to more habitat destruction. No one wants to consider the ugliest eco-friendly choice. Hemp.
Some very good truths in here. Thank you for this heartfelt, loving post, Perry. It is definitely too easy to purchase cheap goods and toss them aside.
My home is 95 years old and even has an OG speakeasy. To honor her, I aim to cherish old items and reject new ones.
I am complicit with conditioned harmful consumption and overconsumption habits. Living mindfully/simply and supporting local establishment feels like a feasible next step for us all. It takes daily unlearning practice.
I wear simple clothes. It mostly involves jeans and t-shirts. I have a few sweaters, seasonal jackets and winter boots. I wear the spots off my clothes. A good pair of shoes and some socķs aad underwear. I wear my clothes longer than most between washes and I have yet to be told that I stink. That really saves on clothes. Wear once and wash is usually unnecessary. I keep my clothes forever. Some would call them rags, but I don't care. I know jeans are very poluting but I keep them for years and they replace less durable materials. My dress up clothes are decades old. I rarely wear them. I don't think you have to be a fanatic about clothes to make a difference, but it helps to not buy clothes unnecessarily. That, already, is an alternative to the norm. Just doing that is enough to lead by examfple. Articles like this are great because they offer alternative solutions. We can't change the world but we can change our own behavior. The paradox is that if even a small percentage of us do what we can, we actually can make a difference.
I think our personal choices can make a difference. I also wear my clothes as long as possible. My dress jackets are decades old, but they are of excellent quality. Same with sweaters. Thanks John for your comment.
Every little change we make contributes, Perry. I agree about fast fashion and buy the majority of my clothing second hand. It just makes sense to reuse and recycle clothing. Thank you for raising this important point.
Thank you, Trudi. Yes, every little change we can make reduces the harm and increases not only the health of our Home Earth, but also our personal health.
I like the idea of voluntary simplicity, Perry. It has a much more positive than the idea of minimalism. It's interesting to think back to all of the useless products and wasted resources I have used over the years. My weekly hikes in Nature clarify my perspective on wants vs. needs. I do my best to reduce consumption.
So do I; I find that people more connected to Nature find it easier to reduce their consumption. It becomes, as you point out, more about needs and less about wants. Thanks, Neil, for your comment.
Thank you for this well thought out article, Perry. I always appreciate your emphasis on reducing our consumerism. It’s such a vital message and, on a practical level, a really easy path to take.
I can so relate to your ideas. I've always been a creative person, reusing and refurbishing.. I am lucky to have that artistic eye and the talent to carry it through... so many have been cut off from their own creative abilities because they have been taught to rely on something outside of themselves. I just got back from 3 weeks in the Rocky MTS... it feels sad to be back in society. I always feel such peace and a good inner presence when I am in Nature.
Three weeks in the Rockies sounds amazing. Communing with Nature.
I think all people are born with creative abilities, but only a few deem it important to retain or to return to later on in life; the societal message is that art & creativity is secondary to financial success. Which of course only increases our alienation from Nature.
Nice post. Very good advice. I think clothing is a horrible case. Personally, I try to use clothing as long as possible and if what I am wearing develops a few problems such as holes, I still wear them. I consider wearing worn-out clothing to be a reminder that there are more important things than having the "new" look.
The main problem for the planet when it comes to this, however, is that capitalistic structures have set up mechanisms to strongly encourage consumerism. For example, many people work in workplaces where worn-out clothing would be looked down on. This is an example of a societal sickness. Others are forced to drive because they have no access to public transportation and we don't have stricter laws that allow employees to work from home. Still, the only way for some to access nature is to drive to it, because we don't enforce having parks near all living spaces.
What I'm trying to say is that your advice is great, but we need to find ways to erode these sick cultural mechanisms that enforce consumerism so that people are actually encouraged to consume less. Of course, there will be people who naturally can do so or who will go out of their way to, but just their doing so is grossly insufficient if we are to have any chance at all.
It is unlikely that we can completely rid society of consumerism, just as it is unlikely that our human efforts will rid us of viruses, diseases and wars. But we can weaken its hold on us by not buying into its ideology.
I have a note pinned to my board "Make the best of what you have." Not in a settling for what you have but treating everything sacred almost. Take care of, nourish and maintain everything.
Secondhand, local, fairly traded, organically grown. I've also been getting into wild crafting and making my own personal care products like shampoo, tooth paste and also laundry soap.
And I don't drive, and have been vegan for decades.
All of it is gentle to our planet, saves a lot of money and reduces plastic use.
Thank you, Diane, for your inspiring way of living. I want to eventually make my own personal care products, which I think will be healthier. Do you have any sites you can recommend for someone like me, a beginner?
Dr. Bronner's is a great overall natural soap product (I checked and it is available in Canada). You can get an unscented and add essential oils for different purposes. I had a natural products business for 10 years. The raw materials have gotten very costly unless you can purchase in bulk. Starting with a good base product (like Dr. Bronner's) is a great option and what I do now. A little goes a very long ways. Bar soaps were my specialty but that's quite a process, although satisfying. Be careful using any essential oils because of your bird.
I discovered Dr. Bronner a few years ago, and I have tried the various scents. It does go a long way and I use it also for household cleaning. I do have essential.oils, but I do keep Arya out of the room when I use them.
The shampoo is easy but for dry hair. I can't find the site anymore, but there was a short list for dry and oily, and I went for the dry. The other sites I've found have costly ingredients. To make the shampoo, you steep mostly horsetail, some rosemary and some lavender for 24 hours and then strain. It's simple, but it works so well. I've also added a little bit of mallow to make it feel somewhat sudsy.
I searched online and tried what made sense to me.
Plastic grocery bags will be banned in California January 1, 2025. Paper bags will replace them, but that will lead to more habitat destruction. No one wants to consider the ugliest eco-friendly choice. Hemp.
Hemp is a good choice. So is heavy duty cotton bags.
Some very good truths in here. Thank you for this heartfelt, loving post, Perry. It is definitely too easy to purchase cheap goods and toss them aside.
My home is 95 years old and even has an OG speakeasy. To honor her, I aim to cherish old items and reject new ones.
I am complicit with conditioned harmful consumption and overconsumption habits. Living mindfully/simply and supporting local establishment feels like a feasible next step for us all. It takes daily unlearning practice.
The conditioning to consume is strong and deep, and yet new habits can be formed. Your OG speakeasy must have thousands of tales to tell.
I wear simple clothes. It mostly involves jeans and t-shirts. I have a few sweaters, seasonal jackets and winter boots. I wear the spots off my clothes. A good pair of shoes and some socķs aad underwear. I wear my clothes longer than most between washes and I have yet to be told that I stink. That really saves on clothes. Wear once and wash is usually unnecessary. I keep my clothes forever. Some would call them rags, but I don't care. I know jeans are very poluting but I keep them for years and they replace less durable materials. My dress up clothes are decades old. I rarely wear them. I don't think you have to be a fanatic about clothes to make a difference, but it helps to not buy clothes unnecessarily. That, already, is an alternative to the norm. Just doing that is enough to lead by examfple. Articles like this are great because they offer alternative solutions. We can't change the world but we can change our own behavior. The paradox is that if even a small percentage of us do what we can, we actually can make a difference.
I think our personal choices can make a difference. I also wear my clothes as long as possible. My dress jackets are decades old, but they are of excellent quality. Same with sweaters. Thanks John for your comment.
Every little change we make contributes, Perry. I agree about fast fashion and buy the majority of my clothing second hand. It just makes sense to reuse and recycle clothing. Thank you for raising this important point.
Thank you, Trudi. Yes, every little change we can make reduces the harm and increases not only the health of our Home Earth, but also our personal health.
I like the idea of voluntary simplicity, Perry. It has a much more positive than the idea of minimalism. It's interesting to think back to all of the useless products and wasted resources I have used over the years. My weekly hikes in Nature clarify my perspective on wants vs. needs. I do my best to reduce consumption.
So do I; I find that people more connected to Nature find it easier to reduce their consumption. It becomes, as you point out, more about needs and less about wants. Thanks, Neil, for your comment.
Thank you for this well thought out article, Perry. I always appreciate your emphasis on reducing our consumerism. It’s such a vital message and, on a practical level, a really easy path to take.
That it is; thank you, Heidi.
I can so relate to your ideas. I've always been a creative person, reusing and refurbishing.. I am lucky to have that artistic eye and the talent to carry it through... so many have been cut off from their own creative abilities because they have been taught to rely on something outside of themselves. I just got back from 3 weeks in the Rocky MTS... it feels sad to be back in society. I always feel such peace and a good inner presence when I am in Nature.
Three weeks in the Rockies sounds amazing. Communing with Nature.
I think all people are born with creative abilities, but only a few deem it important to retain or to return to later on in life; the societal message is that art & creativity is secondary to financial success. Which of course only increases our alienation from Nature.
Nice post. Very good advice. I think clothing is a horrible case. Personally, I try to use clothing as long as possible and if what I am wearing develops a few problems such as holes, I still wear them. I consider wearing worn-out clothing to be a reminder that there are more important things than having the "new" look.
The main problem for the planet when it comes to this, however, is that capitalistic structures have set up mechanisms to strongly encourage consumerism. For example, many people work in workplaces where worn-out clothing would be looked down on. This is an example of a societal sickness. Others are forced to drive because they have no access to public transportation and we don't have stricter laws that allow employees to work from home. Still, the only way for some to access nature is to drive to it, because we don't enforce having parks near all living spaces.
What I'm trying to say is that your advice is great, but we need to find ways to erode these sick cultural mechanisms that enforce consumerism so that people are actually encouraged to consume less. Of course, there will be people who naturally can do so or who will go out of their way to, but just their doing so is grossly insufficient if we are to have any chance at all.
It is unlikely that we can completely rid society of consumerism, just as it is unlikely that our human efforts will rid us of viruses, diseases and wars. But we can weaken its hold on us by not buying into its ideology.
I have a note pinned to my board "Make the best of what you have." Not in a settling for what you have but treating everything sacred almost. Take care of, nourish and maintain everything.
Wonderful advice, Tania.
I do the same kinds of things, Perry.
Secondhand, local, fairly traded, organically grown. I've also been getting into wild crafting and making my own personal care products like shampoo, tooth paste and also laundry soap.
And I don't drive, and have been vegan for decades.
All of it is gentle to our planet, saves a lot of money and reduces plastic use.
And I find it a really enjoyable way to live.
Thank you, Diane, for your inspiring way of living. I want to eventually make my own personal care products, which I think will be healthier. Do you have any sites you can recommend for someone like me, a beginner?
Dr. Bronner's is a great overall natural soap product (I checked and it is available in Canada). You can get an unscented and add essential oils for different purposes. I had a natural products business for 10 years. The raw materials have gotten very costly unless you can purchase in bulk. Starting with a good base product (like Dr. Bronner's) is a great option and what I do now. A little goes a very long ways. Bar soaps were my specialty but that's quite a process, although satisfying. Be careful using any essential oils because of your bird.
I discovered Dr. Bronner a few years ago, and I have tried the various scents. It does go a long way and I use it also for household cleaning. I do have essential.oils, but I do keep Arya out of the room when I use them.
I got them from various places.
The shampoo is easy but for dry hair. I can't find the site anymore, but there was a short list for dry and oily, and I went for the dry. The other sites I've found have costly ingredients. To make the shampoo, you steep mostly horsetail, some rosemary and some lavender for 24 hours and then strain. It's simple, but it works so well. I've also added a little bit of mallow to make it feel somewhat sudsy.
I searched online and tried what made sense to me.
Good luck, Perry.