I am a big advocate of taking small steps to a big goal, and living a more conscious and ethical lifestyle is certainly a big goal. It can sometimes feel overwhelming. I have rarely been successful saying things like, “I am going to go to the gym seven days a week,” and have been much more successful saying, “I am going to incorporate a little more exercise into my mornings,” and then adding on to that. The same can be said for living a more conscious, ethical life. It is a journey, and taking a few small steps can be an easy way to get there.
Here are 7 easy steps that you can take to live a more conscious ethical lifestyle:
1. Take time to consider your purchases.
Every single time you are about to buy something, take a moment to just sit with it. Be mindful about what you are buying. You can live more ethically simply by buying fewer things. Less stuff is better for the earth, your wallet, and if you are anything like me, the aesthetics of your home.
Ask yourself, “do I need this?” then, “am I sure?” and then, “do I have anything at home that can do the thing that this thing does?” or “can I borrow it?”
We often buy things that we only use or wear once or twice, and then … well, they collect dust until they end up in the landfill.
2. Slowly start swapping out.
Eah time you buy a replacement product, consider an equally effective, similarly priced option. We use vinegar to clean almost everything. Yes, it smells worse than traditional cleaners, but, it is just as effective, and the odor goes away almost immediately. You can mix it with essential oils, to up the efficacy and give it a much more pleasant aroma. Hydrogen peroxide and lemon oil will whiten and brighten your laundry, and baking soda can eliminate tough stove-top gunk, most odors, and carpet stains.
As for personal care, beauty and makeup, take a look at some of our guides. The more ethical options are endless, and effective, and significantly better for you and your family.
3. Pay attention to packaging.
Often, the package is the biggest offender. You’ve seen it. The “green” product wrapped in cellophane, in a cardboard box, held in place with foam, and in a plastic bottle. I might be exaggerating a little, but you know what I mean. It is unnecessary. See what you can buy that uses less packaging, buy a larger container if it is something you use regularly, and consider bulk when possible (usually cheaper, too!). Take a look at Zero Waste Home for more ideas.
4. Read labels and compare.
Just being aware of what you are buying is the first step. What is it made of? Do you recognize the ingredients? Simply by reading the labels, you become more aware of what you are purchasing. Look for more eco – friendly materials. Consult our dictionary for better materials. Take a look at the Environmental Working Group as a resource for your personal care and household products.
5. Consider spending less for less.
People often think that being more ethical in your shopping choices means spending more. It DOES NOT! The easiest first step to being more environmentally friendly is to just buy fewer things, which, obviously is cheaper. Being frugal and living consciously go hand in hand. Spend less on things.
6. Consider spending more for less.
When you really consider your purchases, you end up spending less. You find you don’t “need” as much as you thought. But, when you do need things, consider buying higher quality. Generally higher quality is a little more expensive, but it will also usually last longer. Buy the better blow dryer, so you don’t have to replace it in a few months, buy a better made blazer so the seams don’t rip with just a few wears.
Buy things you LOVE, so that you are more inclined to use them over and over again.
Buying higher quality usually means not having to replace as frequently. Buying timeless means being able to enjoy things longer. If you are able to buy better, you often put yourself in a position to buy less.
7. Be okay with making mistakes.
This is a journey. It is okay to make mistakes. I have been guilty of choosing convenience over sustainability many times since I started this journey. I have also purchased things that I thought were green, healthy, organic, etc. only to realize later that, no, I had been greenwashed. It is ok. Like everything else, I learned from those mistakes, am more aware of my options, and look for better. I am also aware that sometimes, I am away from home and need a diaper, and don’t have time to go somewhere that has a more sustainable version, so I need to buy a conventional one. This is okay.
I am learning to plan better, be more prepared, and find ways around these types of situations, but sometimes, they are unavoidable.
Living more consciously can be easy. Huge changes don’t need to happen overnight. And taking small steps certainly can make for very large differences in your environmental footprint over time. A little organization, mindfulness, and awareness go a long way.
What easy (or difficult) steps have you taken to live more consciously and ethically? Any tips for those just starting out?