Slow living is a hot topic that is being discussed all over the world, and for a change it feels good to hear buzzwords like sustainability and eco-friendly all around. People are finally coming together to take care of themselves and the entire community… But what really is slow living? And how does one shift to a lifestyle that promotes it?
For starters, you need to start being actively mindful and aware of your actions and the consequences that they have on the environment. You need to start practicing gratitude not just for yourself but for your community. You need to start being mindful of mental and emotional health.
I know this might sound overwhelming, so let me break it down for you. Slow living is simple- You opt for a lifestyle that suits Mother Earth and is sustainable in the long run. Please note – none of these lifestyle changes are going to be overnight or easy. But let me assure you that they are all going to benefit our planet, and each individual effort counts.
I have made a lot of changes in the last two years, changes that made me realize that I could make a difference too. I slowly started connecting with the community that had the same core values, and this is how Aaishanni, Sucharita and I came together to make @thriftyideasindia happen It’s been a humbling journey for all three of us to educate and inspire a community that is growing day by day.
These changes as I mentioned earlier were not easy. It took us weeks if not months to incorporate them into our lifestyles. Imagine our excitement when we realized we had not shopped for a single item in over 4 months, or that we had replaced all plastic bottles with steel ones. We made these changes because we understood that we had the privilege to choose, and we chose to go with something that wasn’t harming our planet ♻️
No matter how busy you are or how complicated your life is, you can make a small change which will make a huge difference. This is a humble request, and I sincerely hope that you consider it.
Here’s what you can do ????
Be mindful of fast fashion
Fast fashion is killing the planet. Clothing if treated well can survive for decades, but thanks to consumerism we are constantly updating our wardrobes and discarding outfits that we are bored of. What we don’t realize in this process is that manufacturing and dyeing clothes requires dangerous chemicals that pose a threat to air, water and earth. Plus most of the clothes of fast fashion brands are being manufactured in impoverished regions where workers are put to work for 14 to 18 hours on a meager wage.
So does this mean that we stop buying clothes? No! What we can do is be mindful of what we are buying- swapping wardrobes or going for thrift stores is a great place to start from. By buying pre-loved clothing we are contributing towards reducing the overall demand for new clothing to be manufactured, which is reducing the pressure on the environment workers and our wallets.
Change your storage containers
Most of our storage containers are plastics. If we have the means and privilege to opt for sustainable food storage containers, I request you give this a thought. Silicone is a good material- It is long lasting free of chemicals found in plastics doesn’t contain petroleum and is not harmful to the environment. Stainless steel is the best.
For water storage, you can use old alcohol bottles and glass bottles and get rid of all the plastic ones.
Carry your own material
Bring your own steel straw, or water bottle or even a reusable coffee cup when you go out. Getting your own paper towels and own cloth bag is another way to reduce paper wastage and use of plastic.
Other than that here are some changes that you can make-
????Try using a wooden toothbrush
????Turn off the tap while brushing or even while washing your hands
????Start reading labels and make smart purchase decisions
????Avoid products that are being tested on animals
????Try walking or cycling to nearby places and opt for carpooling or public transport whenever possible
????Plant a tree / decorate your home with plants