Friday, July 15, 2011

A New Paradigm

I've decided to put my money where my mouth is.  I've already changed my buying habits to be more conscious of how much I buy, now I want to become more conscious about what I am buying.

I am concerned for the wastefulness of our society's insatiable desire for stuff, and the effects that it has on the environment.   I am also concerned for the people who make my stuff, those who are being paid pittance to make my stuff so that I can have them so cheap, and those whose homelands are being being poisoned in the process.  I want to show love for my neighbour, and I believe that I am currently showing contempt because those who produce my stuff are invisible to me.

I'm starting with clothes and footwear, but also considering homewares, stationery, food and whatever else comes into my house.  I am willing to concede that my laptop and mobile phone probably won't meet my new standard.  

New things must be one or more of the following:

  • handmade
  • made in Australia (to ensure it hasn't travelled too far to reach me)
  • made from recycled products
  • organic and/or fair trade
  • secondhand 
  • durable and reusable
It will probably cost me more, but maybe it won't.  If I pay $30 for a t-shirt and it lasts a year, that's actually better than paying $8 for a t-shirt that lasts for three months. 

1 comment:

  1. I hope you continue to write this blog. I really enjoyed reading every single post, though I am commenting on only this one. I'm an American of Asian descent and a mom of 2 kids. I related to so much of what you said. You're not alone. I'm going from hoarder to minimalistish too! Best of luck to you!

    ReplyDelete

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