Keeping Our Planet Neat
FALL 2020 UPDATE: We recently published our list of Toronto-based destinations where we often donate and recycle unwanted items. We hope it’s useful resource to you!
Recently I shared (with guilt) that I bought a pair of cheap leopard print leggings for self-isolating in...while many of you rallied in support of these pants and reassured me I can pull them off (thank you, thank you—I promise I will wear them well)…I don't think I adequately expressed why the purchase was uncharacteristic for me and why it warranted a confession. With this post, I want to share the values I've embraced personally since decluttering. I’m looking at it as my Earth Week pledge and will thank you once again for keeping me accountable.
I’ll be honest, there was a time—not too long ago—when I viewed climate change as something too far out of my control to do much about. I was too busy with the daily grind and trying to keep my kids fed, clothed and in good care while I went off to work that convenience ruled. Looking back, I can say with certainty that my over-dependence on convenience and lack of time to spare to be a good citizen weighed on me. Now, with more time, I’ve found my own small ways to contribute…in addition to voting of course.
Decluttering, and evaluating all the stuff in my life forced me to look at my lifestyle choices and purchases in a new light. Here are the things I personally embraced to maintain a neater home, neater life and contribute to a neater planet:
Out with the Trends - Once you edit your wardrobe down to your favourites, patterns emerge and it becomes very obvious what styles, cuts, and colours you feel your best in--and which ones never really stick. I am more aware of my own sense of style and taste and make sure what I purchase is something I will feel good about wearing for years to come.
Eliminate Junk - There are so many cheaply made novelty items that weren't designed to last or that end up in people's hands who really have no use for them. Anything that I've thrown out because it's broke or been too useless to donate, has left enough of an impression to keep me far away. I won't purchase or take freebies for myself or others. When I’m at an event or an attraction with 1-time use items, I leave what I can behind for reuse and avoid taking duplicates for the kids (where I can get away with it).
Minimize Kids Toys - Fewer better kids toys is proven to help kids use their imagination and engage in play. We’ve really limited gift exchanges among extended family and choose not to host large parties where everyone brings gifts.
Stop the Impulse Purchasing - When you've edited what you have and have a place for everything, you really think twice about the space you have to give up to add something. Where in the past I might have bought something that I liked when I found a good deal, I really ask myself how much I need it and how much use I will get out of it.
Take Better Care of Less - It's amazing how a little maintenance and proper storage can help something maintain that store-bought feel and avoid unnecessary fading. I swapped the shoe laces in my New Balances and used a suede eraser on them which made them feel new again and definitely gave me many more seasons out of them. (They may not be what’s hot this season but I still love the colour and fit as much as when I bought them.)
The biggest area I want to be more mindful of is diet and my food habits. While I was raised vegetarian (and know plenty of tasty plant-based recipes) I find we still accumulate so much recycling and garbage from buying fresh and canned foods in bulk. I've started following some zero waste lifestyle experts here in Canada, and have seen more eco-friendly shopping options popping up here in Toronto, but zero-waste still feels so far off from my reality. I certainly still have a long way to go, as we all do as a society, but I see the changes we are all making now to battle COVID-19 and it’s clear that our collective effort is a powerful force.
I love hosting and decorating but I try to be mindful of decorating with what I have or buying things that are versatile (avoiding junk). The pedestal is an indoor/outdoor one from my wedding day decor that has served a purpose in nearly every room of the house at one point. The garland I purchased will be reused along with matching votive holders that double as vases. Books and other objects from around the house were used to decorate for this event as well.