Rina - 00:00
Hi hello. Welcome back to day two of my quarantine insanity.
Today I wanted to talk about three things that I have either started trying or I am going to be trying this year to be more mindful and nicer to the environment.
I don't think I've talked much about topics like this on this channel before, but I am actually very passionate about overconsumption, overproduction and the impact that has on the environment, and even on our own, like quality of life.
Especially during my gap year I have gotten into the ideas of minimalism and eco minimalism. I've been volunteering at an organization that preaches ethical, environmentally friendly fashion and stuff that has really inspired me to live a little true to my own values.
Rina - 01:05
So I thought today would be a good day to share with you three very easy ways that I'm going to be trying to live my truth. Because I really do believe that being more conscious about what you consume and bring into your life is very beneficial for not only the environment, but your own mental health. I think being surrounded by things that you love just creates a happier place for you and knowing that all of your money is going to a good place.
Rina - 01:38
If you end up saving money from that, then that's great because that's more money for you to use somewhere else that you like.
Anyways, lots of different benefits for doing the things that I'm about to tell you about and I'm going to be trying and implementing them into my own life.
So the first thing that I am going to be trying is only buying second hand clothing. This comes from a couple of different reasons. During volunteering at this organization that I told you about, I've learned about how detrimental fast fashion is to the environment, and I'm not someone who wants to disregard the places fast fashion in society completely because I do think that there is something to be said about the importance of fast fashion for people who can't afford fashion. I can't totally disregard the practices or the movements that some fast fashion brands have made to become a little more, you know, sustainable and ethical for all that's worth.
Rina - 01:38
However, for me personally, I just want to try this year to stay away from buying any kind of new piece of clothing. And see how far I can get with that, you know, and the reason why I say only second hand fashion and not, you know, buying from sustainable brands as well it's because I’m 18, I don’t have that kind of money and thrifting sounds like something really fun that I might enjoy. Yeah, I'm very excited to implement that in my life.
#2 is to be a conscious buyer and assess what things I truly need and want to bring into my life. I've always been a pretty frugal person, to be honest. I've never really had a big problem with overspending and shopping. Like I'd be that friend to go with you to the mall, but I come home empty handed but with a full stomach. You know that kind of friend?
Rina - 03:58
But I do think that you know, especially last year when I started actually having my own job and making money, I did start to feel that feeling of you know that insane rush when you buy something new and that feeling just made me want to buy things.
And so this year but I want to try and cut that out because now I know that rush fades away and what is left is this physical thing that you bought and if you find out that that's something that you didn't actually want, It takes a lot of energy and a willpower, sometimes even money to maintain that piece of whatever it is or to throw it away you know.
So there is a cost that comes with buying something that goes beyond the price tag and that's something that I've noticed, so I'm going to try and be a conscious buyer.
Rina - 05:04
Really be mindful of where my money is going, because I know that if I spend my money on something that he didn't want, that's money that I could have spent on another experience. Or, you know, food, so that's number 2.
#3 is decluttering. Decluttering responsibly is the key here. I have been trying to slowly declutter my things as well, not to the point where I only have things that I absolutely need because I think there is something to be said about the joy of having things that are purely for enjoyment and for self expression. I think there is something to be said for that, but besides that's a side of the point.
Rina - 05:59
What I want to emphasize is decluttering responsively and I say this because it physically hurts me to think that things that are still perfectly reusable, recyclable, something that somebody else might want somewhere in the world, and that all just goes to landfill like I can't.
I can't take that and so when I declutter or something or when I want to get rid of something, I try to look for someone else who might want my things or find ways to recycle things if that's an option and if not, I know there are a lot of different organizations that take donations and redistribute things to people in need.
There are other organizations that take recycling. There are so many different ways that you can try and give new life to your things that throwing it out should be the absolute last resort.
So yeah, if any of you would be interested in following my journey through this whole process, or if you'd want some tips about how to live out a lifestyle like this because I do have a few things that I've been doing that I think have helped me and might help you.
Let me know. And yeah, so. That's day 2. See you tomorrow. Stay tuned. OK bye!