Sustainable living is a term that gets thrown around quite a lot, but what does it really mean? For me this list applies to anything and everything. I think about and implement this process when buying clothes, homewares, and even pantry and bathroom supplies. I always want to know what’s going on, in, and around my body!

Consumer culture is a relatively new term that was brought about post-WWII. Factories previously pumping out fighter planes started producing cars with their newly revolutionized assembly line method. Plastic products were discovered and single use products became established in stores in the sixties. Fast food restaurants began to pop up. Suddenly we were living a life of convenience, rather than necessity. Although I do think that we’ve discovered some pretty awesome things in the last few decades, the by-products of over production aren’t only landfills, but mental and physical illnesses.

You might consider this a bold statement, but look at bottled water. It’s a more commonly known issue that plastic leaches BPA into the water in your bottle above 158 degrees Fahrenheit. This can mimic estrogen. Excess estrogen levels in women can impact fertility, cycles, and mood, and are known for causing, “man boobs,” among other things, in men. When it comes to mental health, think about the last time you bought a new phone. Did you even need one? How long did it make you happy? So many people think that buying the next best thing will make them happy, but while taking Yale’s, “The Science of Wellbeing,” course, I quickly found out that indulging myself to make myself feel better doesn’t actually have a positive impact on my mental health.

So how do we get back to saving ourselves, and the world?

1. Thrifting!

   One of the more generic points, but tried and true. There is nothing that beats the joy of finding something special at a thrift store! I love making trips to nearby cities. I’ve found $20 Gucci sunglasses and $40 Hunter boots.

2. Research it.

   Learn about every single product you use. Seems excessive, but if it’s something that contributes to convenience, it’s sadly probably not healthily or sustainably made. After being diagnosed with Crohn’s and noticing that no matter how healthy I was in my diet, my body was still showing signs of distress. I quickly realized that I should be looking at the products I’m using on my body, not just the things I eat. After heavily cutting back on artificially fragranced items and paring down my routines, I can happily say I no longer suffer from terrible PMS, my breath smells better, my cystic acne is gone, and my hair is growing again.

3. Declutter.

   Removing clutter in your life makes you feel lighter and less stressed. Research new brands that you can support who LOVE their jobs. Sorry, but do you think big department stores care about you? No. Their focus is on feeding consumer culture. Small sustainable brands often started because they believe in what they do and their existence relies on making a good product people want to invest in.

4. Think on it.

   My new favorite thing is making mood boards as wishlists. I add links and come back to what I’ve made in a month or so. In my mind it’s like making my Christmas list. Usually after sitting on the things for awhile, I notice what would’ve been trendy purchases and what I still love and want to invest in. This saves me so much money and ensures I have a timeless wardrobe and sense of style around my home.