THE CONSCIOUS EDIT – Page 2 of 12 – A conscious consumption and slow living blog

Slowing down and settling in (but gearing up for a decade of action)

December 16, 2019 No Comments

Settling in to a new place takes time. And maybe you’re never done. Maybe you shouldn’t be because maybe that’s a way of staying active, staying curious. But many of us need to feel settled in some way at least. To feel secure, to feel we have the energy and strength to live life fully or to aspire for more.

2019 has most definitely been a continuation of 2018 in terms of continuing the work of settling in to my new life in Sweden. Settling in to a new way of living whilst also exploring how I do want to live. And it’s been a year of settling in to my conscious way of living and defining what that means. Finding what I can and want to focus on, and finding comfort in knowing what I cannot focus on. To be content, and to slow down.

Reflecting to look forward

New year’s resolutions don’t work for everyone and many may not put much emphasis on a new year being a new beginning. But for me it helps picturing a new start, or a time when you can make positive changes. Reflecting on what’s happened over the previous year is therefore a useful exercise as a means to look ahead.

2019 has been a year of personal learnings and progress as I’ve continued to explore what conscious living means to me. And this has happened whilst the conversations on the topic of true sustainability has stepped up around the globe. Greta has sailed across the Atlantic twice to spread her appeal for everyone to listen to the scientists. Many, especially the young, are listening, but it also seems that many most definitely aren’t.

COP25 and the climate negotiations that have taken place in Madrid over the last two weeks were a huge disappointment. The big, rich polluters are trying to get away with doing as little as they can to change and fight climate change. Australia is literally on fire at the moment but the people in charge refuse to connect any dots are only focused on continued coal mining and money making.

Less talk, more action

The way the world seems to be going, with increased polarisation and all the rest of it, makes me, on some days, really worry. But on other days it inspires me, to continue leading a more conscious lifestyle and to continue working with things I believe can change the world for the better. 2019 has given us a lot of worries for the future, but with 2020 around the corner, I’m staying positive.

We’re entering a new decade. A decade that’s extremely important in terms of fighting climate change and I’m hoping the sense of urgency will reach a more mainstream audience. I’m also hoping we’re entering a decade of less talk, less greenwashing, less confusion, and more action. We’ve had a few years of talking about it, now we need to change mindsets and start creating real change.

Conscious living

What is luxury these days?

November 7, 2019 No Comments

The notion of what defines luxury is becoming blurrier by the day. A previous concept of glamour and wealth that may have been associated with luxury is diminishing as new trends and sub-cultures emerge. This is happening at the same time as globalisation and advances in technology are allowing a larger market access more products. Where does this leave the concept of luxury and where is it going?

It’s relatively clear that the idea of big cars, big houses and flashy fashion doesn’t necessarily equal luxury anymore. Luxurious things, that are made from delicate materials and have been produced with skill and care, may still be desirable, but the value of the craftsmanship is increasingly out-doing the actual monetary value of the material. However, as this Quartzy piece highlights, amongst a younger audience, we’re simultaneously seeing a surge in the importance of the brand and the image. The importance of a big visible logo on the most basic white T-shirt.

I would also argue that there’s a luxury trend in something that isn’t even related to material things. Where we may want things but if so, they ought to be natural. Or we don’t want things at all, and instead we want time. Time for ourselves and for the things and people we already have and love. And we want to be closer to nature.

A state of comfort

The Oxford Dictionary defines luxury as ‘a state of great comfort or elegance, especially when involving great expense’. I feel we’ve for a long time associated the word with material things, but that we’re moving more towards what the actual definition outlines: a state. Maybe even a state that excludes material things?

Before, we wanted more of everything. Now we want less stuff.

Some of course still aspire to a Hollywood luxury of having MTV Cribs style houses with big TVs, big cars, loads of bling and a massive walk-in closet. And you don’t have to look far when scrolling through social media to find popular accounts showing off this kind of lifestyle as luxury and success.

But I would also argue that there’s an increasing resistance to this. Resistance to all of the stuff and resistance to social media. Instead, we’re increasingly aspiring towards being free from having to be online, share things on social media all the time, and to consume others’ views on what defines success. Digital detoxing is increasingly popular and being unplugged is a new kind of luxury. Especially if it involves being at a remote yoga retreat or in a cosy, stylish cabin in a rural forest. Or maybe it’s even less extravagant than that. Maybe a new luxury is something so basic as being able to take the time to switch off, by lighting a few candles and sinking in to a warm bubble bath?

Luxury vs consumption

Luxury may for many mean material things and being able to engage in mass consumption used to be a luxury. But when production and materials got cheap, which resulted in more people being able to shop loads of (cheap) stuff, mass consumption has been put in a new light. And we’re seeing a trend where having just a few, key pieces that are well-produced, is more of a luxury.

Conscious consumption can potentially be seen as a new kind of luxury as it’s not always affordable for normal people on normal salaries. But one could of course also argue that when aspiring towards sustainable consumption, you are also shifting your mindset towards buying less, meaning more people can in fact afford it. However one feels about it, I do think this is where we’re heading.

Where, rather than buying everything because you can, being more selective is a new luxury. Where we can show the reasoning behind a purchase as well as the craftsmanship. Being able to tell a story of where our food, shirt, or piece of jewellery is from, how it was made and who made it.

The concept of luxury being when you can be selective is also interesting. Because one could argue that it’s only when you already have everything, or at least enough, that you can chose to be selective with what you buy, or even chose to not buy at all.

Luxurious uniqueness

In a world of mass consumption, luxury is also to have something unique. It doesn’t necessarily need to be expensive and luxurious in the traditional sense but can instead be something unique as in something old. A vintage piece that none of your friends will have because you found it in some random vintage boutique in some random village you visited. One that will have a style, feel, and story that will display a sense of luxurious uniqueness.

It also doesn’t have to be the most elaborate items. It can be something simple and pure, hand made, created with passion and love. The revival of craftsmanship goes hand in hand with the new kind of luxury, where more people will put greater value into knowing that time and effort has been put in to make something unique that you now have in your home.

The luxury of time

Showcasing wealth with luxurious material things won’t be going out of trend any time soon. It has been and will be an apparent way of displaying success, both to yourself and to others. But in a busy world where we work hard, we’re always online, and we’re often stressed to fit everything in between work, family, friends, activities, chores, a true luxury is often time. Time to take care of ourselves. Time to learn, to take a course in something, time to develop. And time to be off, to go to the theatre, to the spa, to the mountains for a hike.

To me, these days, luxury is not quite being able to buy something expensive. It’s to take the time to go to the beautiful Royal Opera to watch the ballet. Or to go for a long walk along the waterfront close to where we live, on a warm summer’s evening after work. And I’m hoping this is where we’re heading. For the sake of mental health as well as the planet. Where success and luxury isn’t measured by more things. But instead, we take pleasure in enjoying more by having less.

Conscious living

Consuming less is better for the planet and your happiness

October 27, 2019 No Comments

Having less stuff helps us stay more organised and zen, and consuming less allows us to save money or spend it on experiences instead. Consuming less has great benefits on the environment, and recent studies are also showing that buying less makes us happier.

The endless consumption wheel we’re all in is supposed to provide us with things we both need and want. It’s supposed to give us joy as well as help the economy. But this wheel often spins out of control for many as we buy things we don’t actually need or can afford. This excessive consumption is affecting the planet, as well as our wallets and minds.

Happier with less

Even though many of us may feel an immediate, short-term joy when buying something new, there is increasing evidence that consuming less makes us happier. And this goes for us who try to buy environmentally-friendly things too. A recent study by University of Arizona compared two groups of people, to monitor happiness and mental health. Both groups were trying to consider the environment: one by buying eco-friendly items and the other by buying less.

The study showed that those who bought less and instead started mending stuff they already own for example, had increased levels of happiness. One might think that those who were buying eco-friendly things may feel satisfied because they were buying things that are good for the environment but it didn’t actually seem that way. Which I would argue is an interesting point to consider in the ‘sustainable shopping’ debate.

To shop or not to shop?

Despite what many companies and brands will tell us, we won’t be able to shop ourselves out of the climate crisis. Even though we’re buying things that are supposedly green, eco or sustainable. Using what we have and making it last will always be the most sustainable option. And now we can fall back on research that shows that this is also a better option for our happiness.

I’ve done quite a few ‘no-shopping-months’ over the years but I have yet to try a full year of no shopping. Some argue it’s not for them as they enjoy the shopping and shopping only second hand for example is a good sustainable option. But I also hear of those who really enjoy a no-shopping year.

Not shopping for a year of course has financial benefits but maybe there is also a psychological benefit? Maybe I should give it a go for the happiness reason? What are your thoughts? Have buying less or nothing for a period of time made you happier?

Conscious living

Are you experiencing eco-anxiety?

October 16, 2019 No Comments

Are you suffering from anxiety about climate change? Is trying to live consciously stressing you out? Or is ‘ecological grief’ making you depressed? You’re not alone. The climate crisis is increasingly affecting the mental health of people around the world.

Seeing how our world is being destroyed whilst world leaders and many with them aren’t doing anything to cut carbon emissions is most definitely something to be stressed about. Seeing your home and life being directly affected by global warming is next level anxiety and something the people of Greenland are currently living through. A study shows they are experiencing ecological grief as they are traumatised by the way climate change is affecting their traditional way of life.

An increasing eco-anxiety

As I’ve followed a large number of, often young, often female, green living individuals on social media and blogs for quite a while now I’ve seen various responses to various issues, but I’m increasingly seeing mental health issues emerging in response to the climate crisis. Young women who are feeling overwhelmed by the sustainability lifestyle, trying to be good and do good. Either feeling like they’re failing, or feeling like they can’t enjoy life because they’ve set up too many rules for themselves in the name of the planet. Or feeling like they’re being judged by others that don’t think they’re ‘green enough’.

I’m personally going through various stages and levels of eco-anxiety. Some days I’m awfully pessimistic and genuinely worried about the hardship so many of us will endure due to the climate changing over the next few decades. Other days I see hope when I think about the younger generation that want to change the ways in which things are currently run by wealthy, white, middle-aged men. And on some days I find it hard to know whether any of the small changes I’m trying to make are in fact making a difference.

American research shows that “people’s anxiety and distress about the implications of climate change are undermining mental health and wellbeing“. This is to a larger extent affecting people who are directly affected by climate change but eco-anxiety is also experienced by people across the globe who are feeling powerless. Many are having to go to therapy for it, which however, in this piece, is being highlighted as a beneficial method of working through your eco-anxiety. Psychology professor Susan M Koger argues in the same piece that it’s unhelpful to be paralysed by fear and she’s also talking about guilt as an unhelpful emotion as it’s not motivating.

Dealing with our eco-anxiety is essential, to feel motivated to create change, but also to find a sustainable approach to our own wellbeing. No one is perfect and trying to be perfect is never going to be sustainable but doing our bit and living in a way that we can actually sustain, might be.

Finding your own conscious journey

I do believe that we can all make a difference. That we can inspire others. that we can improve our own communities, and that we can have an effect on brands and companies by raising our voices and demanding change. But we, as individuals, can’t do it all. Individual changes are important but systemic change is most definitely needed to combat climate change. Companies and governments will have to do more to change regulations and to change the way we do business and make the world work.

Putting the climate guilt towards big companies and world leaders might have an effect but putting too much of the guilt on ourselves won’t do us any good. Spending time feeling guilty because you’re not doing something planet-positive all day every day, or putting guilt on others on Instagram for not doing so just isn’t going help.

I’ve previously highlighted the importance of finding your own conscious journey and I stick to this. I believe we have to find our own way of living sustainably for it to be truly sustainable. Otherwise, we might feel we’re sacrificing too much, or we’ll feel we can’t do it or that we’re not doing enough, and it won’t last. It’s important to believe that our individual changes and actions can make a difference, but this also needs to be put into a bigger picture, where we can’t take on all of the responsibility or guilt.

Consider what can you do to make the greatest positive impact? How can you change your lifestyle to be more conscious of the planet, whilst also being conscious of your own wellbeing? To keep you going, to keep you motivated, and for you to feel that you can continue making a difference.

Conscious fashion

Shopping too much, too often?

October 9, 2019 No Comments

Fast fashion and mass consumption exists because big companies are able to push prices to extremely low levels for consumers. Whilst, of course, workers and the planet are paying the actual price. It means we can afford buying way more than we need and we often end up with stuff we don’t necessarily use that much or that we realise we didn’t even want.

We can see proof of this on the second hand market where a lot of unused items end up. Like the pair of trainers (above) I recently bought second hand that I assume have never been used. Which is of course great because it means I can get hold of a clean, fresh pair of trainers for way less money than if buying them new. And I save on water, carbon etc for the planet.

But I also wonder about these unused things on the second hand market. Because why do we buy things in the first place that we never end up using? Are too many purchases impulse purchases? Is shopping too easy and guilt-free?

Purchases out of boredom

We’ve gone from buying clothes to keep us warm to buying things that would position ourselves within our society. To, today, where we’re just buying things that give us an endorphin kick in the moment of purchase.

The shift towards an on online shopping culture has of course had an enormous effect on the rate at which we’re consuming when items are just a click away. It saves time and effort and gives us all of the things right there in front of us. I personally don’t do a lot of online shopping, especially not for fashion as I always want to try things on before buying. But I’ve gathered that some will solve this by buying several items in different sizes and then just send the ones back that don’t fit. (Which of course adds to the carbon footprint but that’s a different story.)

A report by University of Borås called ‘Clicking the boredom away’ shows that many consumers will just buy things online out of boredom, to escape reality and seek satisfaction in material things. Often on impulse. It may be done on the laptop, whilst watching TV and texting with a friend, so takes place when one isn’t even properly engaged with the actual shopping experience, but rather, influenced / challenged / triggered by other media.

Taking time finding what’s right

One can’t help but wonder what happened to taking the time to find something that feels just right, that ticks all the boxes? Trying something on several times, coming back to the store. Looking through the shop window. Saving up money or putting it on a wish list for Christmas.

Those days definitely seem to be over, although I’m hoping they’re coming back. For the sake of our mental health, our wallets, craftsmanship, and our planet.

I’ve been meaning to buy a bag for work that’s smart and fits my 13″ laptop for ages. My backpack has been used for this purpose for as long as I can remember as I just haven’t found one that’s felt right. So I haven’t bothered because I didn’t want to just get one for the sake of it. It’s been a long time coming but I’ve now found one by O My Bag that ethically produces eco-friendly bags in India and I’m super thrilled.

Taking the time will always be worth it. A bit more time finding the right garment / item, in the right size and style, that we really like and think we will like for a long time. We’ll end up with items that’ll give us pleasure, not just for the moment, but for ages.

Conscious living

A conscious edit: Fresh flowers

September 2, 2019 No Comments

A beautiful bouquet brings colour, beauty and life to your home. But from an environmental perspective, it often also brings a damaging carbon footprint. So what can we consider for a more conscious bouquet?

One aspect of this modern day green wave that we’re experiencing is that we’re increasingly embracing nature and all it’s got to offer. From an ecological perspective, there’s a growing interest in gardening and farming. And having flowers and plants in your home is a huge trend all over Instagram. But as with most trends, there are questions and issues around this, especially when it comes to the exotic fresh flower bouquet.

Its origin is key. Because here in the northern hemisphere, most flowers on sale in flower shops are imported and have been flown here by plane to avoid them dying en route.

So can we consider our mindset and our urge to follow this trend? When wanting to buy the trendy flowers that we see on Instagram, are we considering where they come from or how far they need to travel to reach our home?

What can we do?

As we’re becoming increasingly conscious of buying locally produced food that’s in season, we should be thinking the same when it comes to flowers. Learning to appreciate the flowers that are in season and wait/long for the ones that aren’t.

Conscious consumption is first and foremost about the consciousness. Being mindful of why we’re buying something and what we buy. The same goes for flowers. Why do we want them? How often? Can we increase the long-lasting potted plants we buy, rather than the fresh flowers? And the ones we do buy, can we dry them to make them last longer?

In a conscious shopping utopia, regulations and shops have made it easy for us to buy things that are better for the planet, but until then we have to do more of the work ourselves. But a good start it to ask in the shop.

What flowers are in season? Where do they come from? Have they been grown locally?

Are they organic? Fair trade? What’s the carbon footprint if they come from further away?

These are all things to be conscious of. And so is the fact that seasonal flowers are also important from a carbon perspective because of the energy that might be needed to heat up a green house to grow flowers out of season. So even if they’re local – what energy was needed to grow them?

Trying to find organic, locally grown flowers in season is probably our best bet. Or maybe even heading out of the city every now and then to find wild flowers. Or of course, grow your own.

Growing your own – an unachievable trend?

The trend of growing your own flowers is increasing at the same time as we’re becoming increasingly conscious of the issues of buying flowers that have been flown in from the other side of the world. But when the trend – and what we should aspire towards to be conscious, sustainable people – is having our own garden where we can grow our own flowers – how realistic is it?

Not everyone can afford a house with a garden, or a summer house with a garden for that matter. Many of us live in small city flats, with a small balcony if we’re lucky. But buying flowers in the shop is, in the sustainability world, seen as ‘the bad thing’, and growing your own is ‘the good thing’.

I often argue that when ‘doing the right thing’ and being eco-friendly becomes something exclusive or hard to achieve, making it mainstream becomes even harder. It can’t be too black and white. Finding a middle ground is in most cases more realistic, and for us who want to be able to enjoy a nice bouquet every now and then, it’s probably a necessity.

A flower pick n’ mix

One of my favourite spots in Stockholm is the Rosendal Trädgård – a garden centre where a gorgeous garden café serves organic, often homegrown food. You can also buy their own produce in their small shop and at this time of the year, you can buy their homegrown flowers.

You borrow a pair of scissors, head out in the garden and pick whatever flowers you want. You then pay by weight and can take your own bouquet home with you. Such a great concept! I tried it out on the weekend, picked out a random mix of summer flowers and was not disappointed.

Is there something similar in your city? For your next bouquet maybe check with local garden centres if they grow their own, or maybe even check with local allotments if there’s anyone who’s willing to give or sell some flowers to you. And next time you’re in a flower shop, use your consumer power by asking them about organic, locally grown flowers that are in season. For your next bouquet to be a conscious one.

Conscious living

Who takes responsibility for moving the date of Overshoot Day?

August 12, 2019 No Comments

Summer is slowly coming to an end as autumn starts to arrive with colder days, rain and wind. These days, this time of year is also the time for debates about how we’re treating our planet, as Overshoot Day falls earlier and earlier every year. This year it was as early as 29 July, which means that we have already passed the date when we have exhausted the planet’s biological resources that it can renew this year.

Another even more outrageous fact is that the Swedish Overshoot Day is 3 April, which means that if everyone in the world lived like we do here in Sweden, we would use up all resources by early April.

The campaigns around Overshoot Day are calling on a plan to #MovetheDate and this is of course where we need to be going. To move the date later in the year.

Moving the date

To actually move this date, we are encouraged to take action on everything from the food we eat to the way we travel and our energy usage. And we can of course reduce our meat intake, consume and fly less, and look for solutions to our plastic pollution and food waste.

But to actually have a real shot at moving the date, we need big corporations to make big changes. And as rich people and rich countries are using up most of our planet’s resources, they are the ones that need to be held to account. By us as consumers and people, but most importantly by the people in power.

As most often these days, Greta Thunberg is right. In her speech at the Brilliant Minds conference earlier this summer she highlights:

“We need system change rather than individual change. But we cannot have one without the other”.

If you haven’t watched the speech yet then you should definitely do so – you can find it on Youtube here. And let’s follow Greta’s advice.

Admit our failure. Get informed. Think outside the box. And let’s act.

Conscious living

A slow Swedish summer in photos.

July 31, 2019 No Comments

On the last day of July, one might be thinking that summer is coming to an end. Those long summer days aren’t quite as long anymore, and people are returning to work after their summer holidays.

But on the other hand, it’s only July and making the most of warm evenings and sunny weekends is a great way to make summer last a bit longer.

I’ve only had shorter holidays this year and have been working in between but have enjoyed Swedish treats such as Stockholm, Småland and Höga Kusten (the High Coast). I’ve enjoyed lazy days reading books, I’ve enjoyed long walks, and most of all I’ve enjoyed the sea. Walking alongside it, swimming in it, going on various boats in it, watching the sun set into it, or just looking at it from a cliff.

A slow summer

And I’ve enjoyed a slow summer. A summer where we’ve travelled by train and boat, where we’ve been walking and cycling, and where consumption has been at a minimum. The kind of summer break that gives you energy rather than drains you of it, and the kind of summer break that inspires you to a slower way of living and gives motivation for the autumn ahead.

Putting together a compilation of my photos from the summer shows a clear theme of the sea, nature and slow living.

I hope you’ve had a great summer too and that you’ll enjoy the rest of it.

Visiting the in-laws gave me an opportunity to sail as well as row in the afternoon sun.

The High Coast treated us to some great sunsets.

On the High Coast you’re never very far from a hilltop with a stunning view.

Jumping on rocks or just finding a seat, looking out at sea, even in heavy fog, is probably one of my favourite activities.

A day-trip to Norrbyskär south of Umeå where I went to a school camp as a child.

Extending summer holidays by going for weekend trips to somewhere like the Stockholm archipelago is something I can definitely recommend.

Maybe somewhere where there’s great food and wine in a beautiful location.

And when it’s 30 degrees and sunny, finding roads to walk on where there is shade is key.

Conscious living

Should all consumption make us feel bad?

June 30, 2019 No Comments

As a conscious consumer I try to be that – conscious. Which means I’m conscious of what I buy, why I buy it, and whether I need to buy it at all, and whether I can find a second hand option if so.

I’m conscious, but I’m not perfect. I don’t always follow the consumption rules I’ve set for myself. Because of time, cost or practicality issues. And more often than not, this makes me feel bad. It makes me feel bad for the environment, and it makes me feel like I’ve failed as a conscious consumer.

But as no one can be perfect – should this make us feel bad? Yes probably, if it happens too often. But no, probably not, if it’s not a common reoccurrence. Because if conscious consumption turns into something that makes us feel bad, we’re probably less likely to keep it up.

An exception?

I’ve had to make an exception to my rules. When it comes to books, I’ve had a break from buying any, and I’ve gotten myself a library card to start borrow books instead.

But now, ahead of summer, I gave in, because I really wanted to get some new ones to read this summer.

I felt bad. I felt like I shouldn’t. I felt like I should read some of the books I have and try to find those I was looking at in the library instead. I’ve had several visits to the book shop recently looking at a few books I wanted but each time, I left without buying any. Because I felt bad about doing so.

The other day, I bought them anyway. Because I also want to support independent authors. And I want to support book shops that are struggling to survive against internet giants.

And also, I’m not perfect.

Conscious fashion

A sustainable summer wardrobe.

June 29, 2019 No Comments

The most sustainable summer wardrobe is the one you already have. Avoiding the summer sales and new trends ahead of a new season, and not buying anything new is always going to be the most sustainable thing you can do.

Use what you have, and be creative with what you have. Maybe test yourself by styling and mixing clothes you don’t often wear – look at the back of the wardrobe for those pieces that you’ve forgotten about.

If you feel you’re missing something in your summer wardrobe, do a proper audit where you go through what you already have, and find what the gaps are. This way you can be specific in your search for summer clothes, rather than just doing impulse purchases at the sales.

And if you need something new, look second hand.

Sustainable summery fabrics

Natural fabrics are often the most sustainable ones, and as they’re also the most airy on hot summer days, they’re a great option for any summer wardrobe. Fabrics like linen and (organic) cotton breathe well and soft, silky sustainable options like Tencel and lyocell are also summer favourites.

A conscious summer edit

This wool/cotton skirt I bought second hand this spring is already my summer favourite. It’s soft and comfortable, works both for work and at summer parties.

Soft Tencel trousers by ethical and organic brand ArmedAngels.

Smart shorts that are appropriate for work are another summer favourite. These ones are also in Tencel, also made by ArmedAngels. For work I’m styling them with a pair of shoes I’ve bought second hand.

These two pairs of shoes are what I’m mainly wearing this summer. Veja trainers for slightly colder days and Kavat sandals for the warmed ones.

As loungewear at home I’m enjoying this Tencel top that I was gifted by OrganicBasics – a Danish brand with ethical production in factories in Europe and underwear made from sustainable fabrics like Tencel, organic cotton and recycled nylon.

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