“Oh modern life, you are brimming with so many things I want, you fill me with a need and desire for so much stuff. Its’ all choices, choices, choices…”
~I Shopper
Choices based on needs, desires, goals, ideas, trends, aspirations, impressions and inspirations; that are driven by advertising, fashion, envy, excess, power. But, take into account the negative impacts of our consumer lifestyle and you not only have choices based on your desires and needs alone.
Consider what price you put on your ‘needs’? Not a dollar value but the ethical and environmental price. All consumer products have a social and environmental impact (eek! bad news).
As jacked up consumer junkies tapped into the modern world it can be hard to see beyond the fleeting happiness of a new pair of shoes.
We are conditioned to associate stuff, fashion, beauty, things and more things with a happy, contented, normal, everyday life. But these things exist for our consumption at a price.
We need to acknowledge that our modern world rests on a foundation of poverty, pollution and exploitation (sorry, more bad news). It may sound like doom and gloom and a real dampener on your retail therapy, but take a second to examine the negative effects you may be having and you’re on your way to making positive choices that benefit you, the planet and mankind.
Are we willing to continue to contribute to the negative effects of our consumer lifestyle all for the sake of meeting fleeting desires? Are we willing to give it up? Even though it is everything we need, want and desire? Because it is, isn’t it?
What about the desire for a world free of poverty, the need to live sustainable and the want of a better future for the planet and mankind? These are some pretty heavy things but if you honestly ask yourself; are you willing to contribute to the negative effects of a consumer lifestyle.
The good news is, we don’t have to give it all up! In reality, we are living a modern life, consuming is part of our lifestyle and we are so very fortunate to live such vibrant, challenging, creative and prosperous lives.
This is our life; we have family, friends, jobs, plans and aspirations. Lives filled with technology, advancement and incredible opportunity. I am not prepared to give it all up and I certainly don’t expect you to be.
Act positively and acknowledge the real power, and positive change that can be implemented by conscious, clever and informed consumer choices. Be aware of the ethical and environmental impacts; make choices that reflect your own values. If you care about human rights, animal welfare and preserving natural habitats and the environment you have to acknowledge that every choice you make can either have a positive or negative influence.
We can’t be expected to change overnight and when making choices there will not always be the perfect, no impact option. Opt to make a better choice and even if you don’t always make the best choice at least the ability to weigh up your options and acknowledge the impact is better than consuming blind.
I want to challenge people to consider what it is in life that makes them really happy and then to look around them and see if they are making choices that reflect these ideals. Look and see if your choices are having negative social and environmental effects. They may not be right in front of you, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist
Reconsider your needs, wants and desires; what are you prepared to do without so others can share in the wealth of the world. I’m not asking you all to give up the things you love, simply look for a better option.
There are people out there creating wonderful sustainable and ethical products. Shoes, bags, fashion accessories, beauty products, cars, home wares, clothes, furniture, building design and materials, office supplies and so much more.
Next time you ‘need’ to buy something have a little think about these few things:
1) Do I really need it, if yes what is this need based on
2) Can I make-do or repair something I already have instead of replacing it entirely
If you really want, need or desire it and who am I to say no
3) Check out charity shops, vintage stores, second hand stores, garage sales, markets or online auctions selling pre-loved goods like eBay. A recycled purchase is win-win.
4) Have a quick look online and source out the amazing amount of forward thinking people making a shift and providing real ethical and sustainable choices. Support these people and you support a better future for us all.
We all have the ability to change the ideas of what it is we want, need and desire. Face the implications of our consumer lifestyle, choose not to consume extravagantly, become a part of a positive movement. You may find that the happiness from making choices that have a positive outcome for others and for the planet might last longer than the happiness from a new pair of designer shoes.
Related posts:
- Don’t sweat the big stuff! : Positive Impact with Ethical Consumer Behaviour
- Balance and Consequence : Our Modern Consumer Lifestyle
- Top 5 small, simple steps to overcome a consumer mentality!!
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"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." ~Hellen Keller
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