Shopping can be very empowering. EVERY time you shop, your voice gets heard. You have the power to decide supply and demand. If you shop sustainable, ethically sourced products, and local whenever possible, you are increasing demand for these goods. You have immense power to shift the system with EVERY purchase.
Saving the world sounds daunting. But what if we could buy better, and consume less, to do our part? Could we move the needle on global warming, and respect the planet’s resources, by thwarting fast fashion, and making better choices on the stuff we buy, eat and consume? Will our individual choices really make a difference? Short answer: YES.
And this is coming from a person who has always enjoyed fast fashion! and goodies! I love color, glitz and some drama. But not to the point of mindlessness. Not to the point of ignoring what endless consumerism can do to my planet. Not to the point where I let what I buy starts defining me. Not to the point where an art saree hand-crafted by a creative village artisan looks any less beautiful on me than a designer label. Indeed, I have beaten Fashion Week’s juicy labels sometimes, with dresses from local boutiques I choose to support. And brand connoisseurs have wanted to know what this new great ‘label’ that I’m wearing is, when its probably just my grandmother’s heritage saree blended with a well thought-out blouse from a talented local designer (and trust me, old really is gold. I doubt today’s silk can match the purity, comfort and luxury from my grandmother’s times)!
Yes. My eyes still go wide at the latest season of Louis Vuitton bags.
Yes. Some stunning home décor I see while travelling, which is more art than need, invokes so much beauty that I want my share.
Yes. In extravagant perfumes, I may still own one too many. I mean, they make you feel all lush and plush, right?
And it doesn’t help to be on Instagram, where it’s almost a crime today to repeat your clothes, your shoes, even your cars and houses of late. And I wouldn’t have thought there could be something called ‘mindless travelling’, until I’d witnessed this day and age. Yes, I’ve now met people who fly half way across the world, more to fill their social media feeds than to enjoy the experience of life it offers. They’re so lost in their own shoes, they can’t even look up and feel the heart-opening horizons, mind-expanding vantages, beautiful people and healing wisdom of new cultures - that travel brings. A shame.
One in which it isn’t always clear what forces are acting upon us energetically, emotionally and physically, and what the long-term consequences of our choices and decisions – individually and collectively -- might be.
And yet, we must find ways to navigate that complexity with all the powers and gifts at our disposal. We must draw on our intellects and hearts, our capacity to reason and our intuitive gifts, to sift through the blizzard of facts and pseudo-facts, to turn down the noise, discern what’s true, and measure it against our own deepest values so we can choose a wise and effective course of action.
Our ability to be still, to listen for the guidance of our souls and the discernment of our hearts is one of our most sacred gifts.
Our ability to trust ourselves and to act on our truest impulses is the foundation of our humanity, our sovereignty, and the freedom to shape a world of peace and plenty, justice and equality, safety and freedom for everyone.
We cannot create abundance and freedom for ourselves if we are not also committed to creating these conditions for all beings. Wholeness works through intricate webs of interdependence and comity.
For those of you who, like me, are struggling to stay engaged, effective and awake without depleting yourselves or frying your sensitive nervous systems, I offer one simple question as a guide.
When you find yourself overwhelmed, confused, or lost, ask yourself this question: If I trusted myself completely, what would I choose to do?
Don’t allow anyone else’s voice or vision to override your own. There is a time for gathering information, for listening with a receptive heart to the voices, ideas, stories, experiences and truths of your comrades. And then there is a time for sifting and discernment.
Listen to the voices of others, and use your own clarity and wisdom to discern what’s right and true for you. Ultimately, your task is to protect and conserve your sovereignty and wholeness, so you can contribute to the wholeness and healing of the world.
· In a world so eager to sell us magic pills and quick solutions to all of our “problems”, Sian shares why we should even consider buying better and consuming less right now – What impact one person can actually make on this global dilemma
· I’m starting to make better choices.
· Do I really need those individually plastic-wrapped potatoes or could I buy them in a 5lb bundle with less packaging?
How are you going to take what you’ve learned in today’s episode and to help you buy better + consume less? What’s one thing you’ll do differently?
The writer is a Holistic Wellness Expert, Entrepreneur and PR Head for The/Nudge Foundation. The views expressed are personal.