Before I get into this challenge, I do have a quick update. In my last post about my experience going through the KonMari method, I had finished everything but the sentimental category with the goal of finishing it by the end of 2017. I did finish sorting through all of my sentimental items. However, I don't feel like this category is completely resolved when it comes to pictures. I did put all of my pictures into a bin, but I didn't sort through them. This larger "picture project" is one I will tackle in 2018. More on this in another post....
Has anyone heard of Earth Overshoot Day? If not, check it out on overshootday.org. Basically, it's the date that we use more resources than the earth can renew. We hit this date on August 2, 2017. So, we are now officially consuming more resources than the earth can support. The goal is to move the date to reduce our burden on ecological resources such as fishing, forests and the atmosphere. My goal is to reduce my footprint. This year, I will be taking steps to #movethedate to the best of my ability. It will take everyone doing their little part, so I'm going to focus on my contribution.
This leads me to the topic of this post: Year of Enough Challenge. Since it's New Year's Day, it's typically a time to make resolutions and goals. I wanted to use this as a time to start this challenge to be more mindful of my purchases and how the quantity and quality of the items I buy impact our planet. In case you're wondering, I didn't come up with this challenge. I heard it on a podcast I listen to from The Practical Minimalists. Here are the rules that I'm going to try to stick to:
Consumables
- This category includes food, soap, make up, etc and anything that is not a physical item that gets used/consumed in any way.
- Food. I'm going try to purchase food with as little packaging as possible. This means shopping in bulk and bringing my own bags and/or containers to put the bulk items in to minimize single use packaging. If an item cannot be purchased in bulk with my own container, then I'm going to try to buy the item in a glass container first and a recyclable plastic container if glass is not an option. This will hopefully focus my food purchases to actual ingredients and not pre-packaged food.
- Eating out. I cannot eat out or make random food purchases because I didn't plan ahead. So, this means bringing my lunch to work everyday (which I already do), and bringing snacks with me when I'm out and about. If I eat out, it must be for a special occasion or with friends and no more than twice per month.
- Household supplies. I've already switched over pretty much all of my household cleaning supplies to ones that I make using safe, non-toxic ingredients. My goal is to continue with this, so the only items I will need to buy for this will be the ingredients, such as vinegar, baking soda, castile soap, alcohol and a minimal amount of essential oils.
- Shampoo, conditioner, soaps, make up, etc. I recently starting to look at the quality of the products I'd been using on the Environmental Working Group website (ewg.org). It was an eyeopener to say the least (which also led me to make my own household cleaning products). My goal is to purchase a product that meets two criteria: 1) has a good EWG score, and 2) doesn't come in plastic packaging.
- Running shoes. I'm going to classify these as consumable because they do need to be swapped out routinely to prevent injury. I bring my old shoes in to be recycled at the store, so I'll continue to do this.
Non-Consumables
- Clothes. Last year I sent a lot of clothes to Thread Up and donated others. I still have more clothes than I think I need, and I'm finding the quality of some of my clothes and shoes aren't the best and are not holding up. I know there will need to be some replacements made during the year, so I'm putting some rules around it. First, if the item can be repaired, then I will take it to be fixed. Second, if the item doesn't fit within a basic capsule wardrobe, I cannot purchase it. Third, I will look a second hand options first, such as Thread Up. If a new item does need to be purchased, then I will look for a company that aligns with my ethics and produces quality items that will last. Also, I have an empty Thread Up bag. So, if I buy a new item, then I need to put 2-3 items of clothes for each new item into the bag.
- Household supplies. Let's face it, I know there will be some purchases throughout the year for items that need to be replaced. While these purchases are not completely avoidable, my rule will be make sure each item is truly at the end of it's usable life before replacing it. Before getting a replacement, I'll determine whether the item is truly needed or not. And, if it is needed, purchase the item from a company that has ethics that I align with and that is the most gentle on the earth.
- Books. One goal I have for this year is to read more. I have a library card and typically get the Kindle version. The only physical book that I had already purchased before this year started was a Leuchtturm 1917 notebook to start a bullet journal. Otherwise, I plan on sticking with the library or borrowing books from friends and family.
- Electronics. I will try to purchase second hand (off ebay). I already know I will need a good photo scanner for my picture project. So, my plan is to find a good one on ebay and then sell it when I'm done. Otherwise, I don't have any planned electronic purchases.
- Gifts. When giving a gift, it will be something that is consumable or an experience.
I'm sure there are things that will come up that I haven't thought through yet, but my goal is to be more mindful. I hope to pause and really think through what I'm purchasing and consuming this year. I'll give some updates during the year to see what I'm learning along the way.
I wish all of you a happy new year!