Many of you following me are based in the US, so I’m making this week’s blog and next week’s pertinent to Thanks Giving, but you can also take these thoughts and ideas with you into Christmas and the festive season wherever you are.
So, today I want to talk about ‘conscious consumerism’ …
What does that mean for you?
Do you feel that you’re a conscious consumer?
Or are you not even really paying attention to what you’re consuming?
… No judgement here either way but it’s worth having a real think about it.
Firstly, let’s define a ‘conscious consumer’:
‘A conscious consumer is an agent of change who considers the social, environmental, ecological, and political impact of their buycott and boycott actions’
I would also personally add to this that you’re also considering your own health and wellbeing in the ‘consumption’ or use of the product or service. But of course, the great thing about ‘conscious’ products is that they’re usually good all-round!
I consider myself quite high up there on the conscious consumer score chart, but I’m in no way perfect! Modern life and city living makes it pretty darn impossible to be any way near perfect, but I do my best.
And really that’s what it’s all about – doing your best, when you can.
For me it’s always there in the back of my mind. I am always aware of what I’m buying, using, consuming and why…
Sometimes I do or have to choose something that isn’t good for me, the environment or the greater good. But there’s a weighing up going on in my mind almost subconsciously all of the time.
For example:
I re-use plastic bags whenever I can and if pop to the supermarket for a few things I don’t use bag, I buy organic food from local suppliers, I don’t use harsh cleaning products – except for one that is amazing for limescale – but I really limit the use of it, I use mostly all-natural cosmetics and haircare products, yet I have yet to move to all-natural make-up and nail polish… In the past year I started using an eco-friendly dry cleaner. I only put the dishwasher on when it’s definitely full. I don’t use anti-bacterial products anymore …
Today I had my hair cut and coloured for the first time at a salon here in London called Gennaro Dell’Aquila. They use100% plant-based hair colour made from organic herbs, roots and flowers … This is not only good for the environment, but also my hair and lungs not to mention the salon didn’t smell of harsh chemicals at all which was so refreshing and so much better for the staff who would otherwise be breathing in toxic chemicals all day every day! They also use haircare products by a brand called O Way, again known for its ethical, organic hair and skin products…
The salon is located in Notting Hill and after I’d finished there I walked down towards the flagship Wholefoods store that we have here in London on High Street Kensington, which was only a short walk away.
On the way there I came across Ilapothercary, a relatively new brand of all-natural, organic skincare products for women. I bought a couple of Christmas gifts for my private clients (not saying what as there all mostly likely reading this and I don’t want to spoil the surprise!) but they also happened to be selling Jasmine Hemsley’s tongue scraper, which I’ve been wanting to get for ages so I bought three, one for me and two for family stocking fillers! (I’ll do another post on tongue scraping soon!).
Then, when I was finally in Wholefoods getting my lunch, I met a lovely man called Jonathan Ward showcasing his gorgeous luxury candles! Again, all natural, organic ingredients and environmentally/sustainable packing! So, I bought one as a gift to myself because the fragrances were incredible and his attention to detail and craftmanship was so unbelievable I felt like it was only right that I acknowledge what has clearly been such a labour of love for him!
For me, it warms my heart to see so many people, brands & businesses creating products and services that put well-being and the environment first and who lead with heart-based values …
Not only do I want to use such products for my own wellbeing but I’m equally proud to support them through purchasing their products and also in championing them as I am here.
Of course, I completely appreciate not everyone lives in a city like London that has the latest shops, stores and products such as those I mention above. I’m very lucky that I can walk down the street and they’re just there. But I still had to be interested to know what they were about to find out about them in the first place. In the same way that if you live in a more isolated area you can search for products and services online.
My main reason for sharing all of this with you is to illustrate how I consume consciously and why I do – for me and my wellbeing and also for the companies and brands working hard to produce conscious products, services and creating conscious companies that educate the general public.
We’re all part of the movement and as it says in the definition of ‘conscious consumerism’ – we are, or have the power to be, agents of change.
So, in the run up to Thanks Giving and Christmas when consuming is at an all-time high – my question to you, is to consider what you could ‘consume’ more consciously…
Here are some suggestions just off the top of my head:
- Recycled wrapping paper
- Organic food
- Farm reared, grass-fed animal products
- Gifting more natural based, chemical free products
- Using chemical free nail polish
- Recycling an old outfit rather than buying something new (Kate Middleton regularly does this along with Arianna Huffington).
- Choosing toxin free ‘festive’ scented candles
- Buying organic wine
- Turning lights off in the rooms you’re not using
- Carpooling
- Getting a sustainable Christmas tree (natural or fake)
- Avoiding buying too much food and avoiding food waste
- Gifting people who have everything by giving money to their favourite charity
- Not buying those fun but useless gifts that may be good for short-term fun but that will ultimately end up in the bin soon after Christmas!
- Choosing quality over quantity
- Freezing left over food
- Buying people one big gift rather than multiple smaller gifts
I’m sure you will probably have many of your own conscious practices that you could add to this list – in fact feel free to comment below if you do as I’m always keen to do better!
In summary, it’s all about making a conscious decision to buy, use and consume things that matter and make a difference, from businesses that matter and make a difference.
Love,
Kate x
