conscious consumerism

Conscious consumerism refers to a mindful way to buy and use products or services.

This includes the capacity to reflect on what we really need and understand what impact the product we chose has on the world around us and ourselves. As a consequence, we tend to buy less and if possible chose sustainable options.

I really love this approach, because it acknowledges the fact that there is a price we have to pay for products, that has nothing to do with the money we exchange it for, as in:

We use limited resources (e.g. wood, minerals, water), have to invest energy, might use harmful substances, like dangerous chemicals, and exploit cheap labor and thus people to produce something new. Furthermore, to transport products has an impact on the environment and a lot of the products we use, can’t be properly recycled.

There are businesses that are trying to do better. And I do encourage everyone to look for those. But as for me, I am old school: have less, borrow, swap, buy second hand or refurbed, upcycle and then if it is something I can’t otherwise get, I look for those sustainable option, if i can afford it.

And even though I also mindfully read a good book sometimes, I still binge watch brainless tv shows as well. And I still do get on planes. So, let’s be real, as this world is designed to keep us in the consumerism loop and sustainability still is a foreign concept, change is still harder than doing the “normal” thing.

And I know, we all need to step up our game for the planet, but let’s acknowledge what we are already doing right now. Let me know, what that is for you! Let’s show each other, that living a more sustainable life is not as hard as it might seem, open up perspectives and learn from each other. In the end, maybe doing the right thing is not as hard as we have imagined it.

love, M