If you believe in recycling.

If you don’t want a big corporation sucking new materials out of the ground.

If you don’t want child labor and underpaid workers killing themselves for new goods to be produced.

Then Thrift Shopping is becoming more expensive for a good reason.

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For example, you need a couple pairs of jeans for work.

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Buying them from a store.

For a male, this will range from $40 – $90.

Over %50 of denim comes from China, India, Turkey, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Mostly underpaid non-union workers being exploited.

Then you carry the ecological and financial cost of shipping.

Either by boat, train or plane, you’re not doing much good.

Shipping companies have trouble keeping a carbon footprint down while also keeping prices reasonable.

Then you have to purchase these from a retail worker, who isn’t exactly stoked to be there or to help you.

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From a thrift shop or second hand store.

I’ve found perfect jeans for $5 – $20.

These jeans ORIGINALLY came from overseas, however you are just recycling them instead of throwing them into a landfill to rot.

You get to extend the life of this product.

Extending the life of things is imperative.

There is the thing called “Earth Overshoot Day”.

It is the calculated illustrative calendar date on which humanity’s resource consumption for the year exceeds earths capacity to regenerate those resources for that year.

Every month you get more use out of a product instead of buying a new one, helps.

To learn more why this is important, or to donate.

https://www.overshootday.org

Not to be forgotten, some thrift shops have benefits to their workers, like Value Village.

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In conclusion.

Buying new isn’t always the bad option. There are tons of fantastic companies out there making clothing locally and sustainably. Just doing your research in your local area will help out a lot. A quick google search can do wonders.

However hitting the thrift shop for a simple coffee maker or some work clothing, don’t be so cheap next time. Use your search engine and remember the real cost of that product.

The conversation started like this,

“So you play guitar, you’re into photography, but what’s your side hustle to bring in the dough?”

Now some side info on this matter. I work 60-70 hours a week, 5 days a week, doing something I love, and get paid fairly and this gentlemen does as well.

The question implies I’m not aloud to do something on my off time, just because.

It attacked my reason for playing guitar casually around the campfire.

It attacked why I take photos and edit them for fun.

However, if you’ve dug yourself that deep of a debt hole that 7 days a week you need to suck all the fun out of life to trade everything for money, then sure, yes, side hustle to fix that. But that wasn’t established before the question. It was implied that I was crazy for not “side hustling”.

I replied “No I don’t side hustle, I like to go camping and fish. I don’t require supplemented income…” which gave him an awry look, and I was called on the radio with haste.

This is why the words “Side Hustle” urks me.

1. It demands nothing be for pure pleasure.

2. It subtly means “I’ve been sold a lavish lifestyle that I cannot afford.”

3. It leaves no room for self care.

My hobbies are pure pleasure. I play guitar mainly for nobody else, it’s a childhood obsession and I love challenging myself. I get lost and find out new things and… it’s just a beautiful adventure for myself.

If you’ve been sold a lavish lifestyle that implores you to live above you’re means, you’re doing this life thing wrong. Focus your expenses and.. well…

“Suck the marrow of life, but don’t choke on the bone.”

Having no room for self care is dangerous to your physical and mental health. Don’t kid yourself. Taking a hobby to the market will make it for someone else, not you.

Beyond pleasure alone, WHO WANTS TO WORK 7 DAYS A WEEK.

Live within the standards of a better world and flourish.

We value things more than each other.

Amazon’s workers are on strike due to unfair worker compensation and unsafe working conditions.

My mother works in a post office in a smaller town, I was lucky to see her for Christmas.

Door to door, ice sheet to snow bank, she’d deliver the cards and boxes of trinkets we think our loved ones need. Beyond the packages sent, fliers became a focus. Paid per flyer, this became an incentive to equal out her extra work she’d be putting in.

Advertisement after advertisement, we the people need more.

Just think if we stopped buying things for each other and just stopped by for dinner. Take it a step further and go ice skating together, spend time with each other and not money.

If you have no time, you’re doing it wrong.

However. If there’s something that really supplements your life, and it’s on sale, who am I to denounce it.

I’ve wanted an iPad for years. I finally purchased one after going on a social media detox. It is full of books, utilities, photography assistants and most importantly zero social media.

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Stop using people abroad to fake-like people local.

Just go see them.

Like your computer has too many tasks open, and you’re brain turns to a spinning wheel of death.

This is Sensory Overload for me.

A full shut down; and out.

We used to pay to be sensory overloaded with Movies, Music and Social Activity. Now there’s a whole industry built around Sensory Deprivation! From Vacations, to Tanks that alleviate us from all sound, visuals and even gravity!

Why are we like this?

There are advertisements telling us we’re not good enough, in loud buzzing neon signs.

There’s beautiful people telling us we’ve failed through their plated teeth and pointed nose’s.

I mean, even researching this, I had so many pop ups asking me about a new drug/book/diet to deal with the problems it almost triggered it again!

We grew up needing to get the thumbs up from mom and dad, and a teacher or two. As soon as we’re on our own, the moment we have a second thought on anything, there’s a multi-billion dollar business trying to sell us the answer.

Social media has a huge business around this. The timeline you scroll will literally show you your friends, family, or colleagues showing off photos of vanity items, ideas or places, to then put an Ad beneath it, so you want something, and found how to get it.

They’ve even created a way they don’t even have to create content! Your friends do it for you!

Breathe

Oxygen is important. Take these tips to help concentrate your frazzled brain.

1. Focus on one thing.

I need to focus on someone who’s with me, or the objective that’s in front of me, or even close my eyes and really hear the music. Take one sense and amplify that. Doing so helps your brain re-evaluate what needs your attention.

2. Game plan.

Before going out, acknowledge the potential risks. Lights, sound, people, smells. Know your exits as you enter the area, this gives your mind peace.

A bathroom is also an escape.

3. Know your limits.

Booze, weed, or whatever your crutch is. As soon as I’m over 3 beers, my limits for sensory problems lower heavily. I will get agitated quicker, I will space out of conversation quicker, and I will exit the establishment quicker.

4. Make a to-do list

In the mindless stumble we call shopping, make a damn list! Know where you want to go to get those items, and get them. I won’t notice people bumping into me, chewing loudly, kids screaming…

This also helps you avoid window shopping for trinkets that will fill up shelves for no reason.

Lifestyle changes

• Delete social media

I can focus on things that require my attention, and provide value to my life.

• Declutter your space

Things I don’t use, shouldn’t be taking up visual consciousness.

• Clean your living area

When things are clean, you naturally declutter and provide room for failure.

• Organize a shelf to showcase your favourite hobbies or goals.

By putting my camera and guitar in the open, I picked them up 110% more often. Thus creating a lifestyle I enjoyed. Instead of cleaning a book collection of forgotten memories.

• Get rid of old hobbies.

This is a hard one, but hear me out.

Did you try and become a painter, but found your ukulele in your hands more? Get rid of your painting equipment. Sell or donate, whatever you prefer, but as you clear your stuff, you now have undivided attention to that ukulele. Now in 1 or 5 years time, you could master the Ukulele. Produce an album and tour a couple towns! Then your painting hand starts to jitter. Pick it up again, see where it leads you.

Imagine how many things you could master in 10 years time if you stop dividing your attention up.

In Conclusion.

If you don’t already check out “The Minimalists” either via their podcast, or their blog, or their Documentary on Netflix.

Also check out the doc Happy. Absolute must.

Tony Robbins “I am not your Guru”

These resources have led me here, writing about things I have no idea about but want to. So in months of research and trial and error, here’s a piece of a recipe you hopefully make something of.

Shore Line Cleanup

They also do Lakes and Rivers.

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Ocean Conservancy

You can donate or participate!

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Can’t give time?

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$20 gets you a bracelet, and pulls 1 pound of trash from the ocean. There is also monthly subscriptions as-well as larger purchases.

4Ocean

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Ocean Cleanup hires professionals or you can Donate. You may have heard of this, it’s a large and in-charge operation!

Ocean Cleanup

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Cleaning is one part, but by refusing plastics and by totally rejecting products and companies who pollute, you’ll make your difference.

Sometimes your vote may not feel valid, but when your wallet is in the right place, everything else falls into line.

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Going to the beach? Going camping?

Bring some garbage bags, pack in everything you find! Even by filling a small grocery bag, people who see you clean up, will then remember to do the same. Small actions, big footprint!

I noticed the smallest of changes in my behaviour sent ripples to my peers.

I’ve been vegetarian/vegan/pescatarian/CHOOSE-itarian for a few years now…

The reason I chose to eat less meat was a digestive problem and energy level problem. I get more out of plants than meat. Why would I need a meat SUBSTITUTE! It seems SUB-par to be ditching a processed food (ie: ground beef) for a processed food (maltched soy bean and additive).

In the end it’ll go back to why you chose to not eat meat in the first place.

If that, for you, meant to harm animals less, then where your food comes from otherwise isn’t a main problem.

If it was a nutritional standpoint, then yes it matters.

Just like meat, if you need to add salt, sugary sauces and a hint of ketchup to eat something, your not pursuing a healthier choice.

This post will be broken into 2 pieces.

• Environmental cautions.

• Are they even healthy?

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How do Meat Alternatives stand up to Meat in a “industrial pollution” standpoint?

“According to the company, the Beyond Burger uses 99% less water, 93% less land, nearly 50% less energy, plus emits 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than producing a quarter-pound U.S. beef burger.” (https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/beyond-meat-nutrition)

Now that’s just the Beyond Meat company.

Let’s look at Soy Bean replacements, and their effect on the environment farming wise.

Now yes you may say “it’s a plant, it does good for the environment!”

Well yes, it’s a step. However if you have to flatten Forrest’s and attribute to soil erosion, you’re doing the same damage we are trying to avoid. There is an abundant of local fruits and vegetables to slice, dice, fry, bake and broil. Check out a farmers market once in a while.

When your food is local, you can understand your impact easier. You also send a child to ballet or soccer, instead of a CEO’s 3rd vacation house.

(Read more at https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/soy)

When we start to look at soy based products, you will quickly find warnings all over the internet of how a “high soy diet” can lead to alarming health concerns, including breast cancer.

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“How do I know what meat substitutes are healthy”

This is why I stick away from substitutes.

However, with a wealth of online knowledge, a quick google search while standing in the isle can tell you a significant amount about the product.

If there are ingredients you cannot pronounce, do some research, or avoid.

Many restaurants and grocery stores have burger patties made from Chick Peas, mushrooms, corn, black beans, and all sorts of straight up vegetables. No fine lines to read between.

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IN CONCLUSION.

There is a lot of brain numbing information and mis-information.

The BEST WAY to ensure you are doing the most for the environment is to stay local. You will hear the problems and solutions from the horses mouth far faster and easier than a soy bean grown across the world.

Farmers markets, farmers markets, farmers markets.

With meat substitutes effecting your health, either stay clear as I do, or do your research on a brand and stick to it.

I’m not here because I know anything.

I’m here to point out problems and possible solutions and educate myself further on a planet worth while.

Learning a green, simpler life without barriers!

What do you mean by Barriers?

Simply put, living a sustainable life without compromise!

I want to be an outdoor enthusiast but I don’t want to own a truck and camper and end up over indulging in stuff!

I want to purchase an electric car but don’t want to mine rare earth metals via child labour and sadness!

These are the dilemmas I run into, and how I’m making them work.

I believe a minimalist life go hand in hand with a green one.