Nowadays, it can be overwhelming to have a sustainable lifestyle, especially when it comes to buying a product. It's not only about how the product is made but also about how long we're going to keep it. Everything we buy has a healthy, environmental and social impact. So it's important to buy from brands or companies that we support and avoid products that do not align with our beliefs.
Often, we're swamped with different information about sustainable brands and guilt-free consumption; society and trends try to dictate what we should buy and what we shouldn't. It really influences our choices, and it can be hard to decide.
So before going through with your next purchase, ask yourself these five questions below. It really helps me when I'm buying a product, and it takes some weight off my shoulders. I know that this is the healthiest way I can buy products, and I am contributing to reducing the impact they have on our planet.
1. Will it add value to my life?
It must serve a purpose or bring joy; otherwise, it does not add value to your life.
2. Do I really need it?
Shop with a conscious mindset. Carefully consider the difference between what you want and what you need. And if you're still feeling the impulse, you can try The Minimalists 30/30 Rule.
3. What are the alternatives to buying new products?
What about swapping clothes? You can swap clothes with your friends and family, or you can try a swapping platform like Stories Behind Things. It's about events where you change your clothes – that you no longer use or like – for new or second-hand items while having fun. You can also sell your products or buy at second-hand stores.
Thus, you simply utilize what is already produced, not creating more waste. Why? Because according to BBC, by 2030, we are expected to be discarding more than 134 million tons of textiles per year.
4. Where should I shop?
You should buy from sustainable and ethical brands or companies; invest in reused materials and long-term products. Whenever possible, buy from local brands – some of them make to order; they don't have stock.
5. How can I create less waste?
Most of the time, it's not how we consume but how much we consume. Minimalism encourages us not to live wastefully and also gives us a new perspective on a product's life by trying to repair it first instead of replacing it immediately.
If you can ruminate on one of these questions before buying a product, you'll be impacting our planet positively, improving your quality of life and also the life of our mother earth.
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