by A. Simplicity on November 30, 2009
It could be said we don’t often consider what we already have and what truly makes us happy. In the modern world there are many of us striving to get what we don’t need to make us happy; living a lifestyle based on having, obtaining and needing more and more stuff to ‘feel’ happy and successful.
Happiness based on materialistic wealth is a scary pursuit, we can as Eric Hoffer states; never get enough to reach a state of happiness, as the very bases of this mentality is to always have more. [...]
Tagged as:
change,
choice,
consumer culture,
everyday life,
happiness,
modern life,
positive impact
by A. Simplicity on November 20, 2009
Our modern world loves to provide us with packaged convenience and perfection and the fruit and vegetables available from our supermarket are no exception. And yet many of us are making the switch to local produce as a means to have a more sustainable and positive impact.
Tagged as:
change,
choice,
consumer culture,
environmental impact,
positive impact
by A. Simplicity on November 13, 2009
Many of us are eager to keep our homes clean and safe for our families. We use various products to disinfect, deodorize, sparkle, shine and sanitize every room, appliance and piece of furniture. Unfortunately when we rely on conventionally cleaning products we quite often expose ourselves and the environment to potentially hazardous and toxic chemicals.
We need to consider the fact that we often come into close contact with cleaning products, especially laundry detergent and surface cleaners. Although the associated health risks from these chemicals, when we are exposed through typical household use, are likely to be low; the long term health effects and possible associated allergic reaction can be unknown. [...]
Tagged as:
change,
chemicals,
choice,
consumer culture,
environmental impact,
natural ingredients,
positive impact,
synthetics
by A. Simplicity on November 11, 2009
When looking to simplify our lives we are often faced with doubt; it is something we can come across everyday; either in our own mind or from the opinion of others. There is the ‘but,’ the ‘but’ that at times rears its head in our attempts to balance our own lives with a desire to live a more socially aware and sustainable lifestyle. [...]
Tagged as:
change,
choice,
consumer culture,
environmental impact,
everyday life,
modern life,
positive impact
by A. Simplicity on November 2, 2009
Have you ever considered our disposable lifestyle, how many of the products we use everyday are designed to be thrown out after as little as just one use? Tissues, toweling paper, razors, coffee cups, drink containers, food containers, nappies, tea bags, plastic shopping bags are all manufactured, packaged, transported and sold to be used once and then discarded, sometimes within a matter of minutes. [...]
Tagged as:
better future,
choice,
consumer culture,
environmental impact,
modern life,
positive impact
by A. Simplicity on October 30, 2009
“Hmmmm “Beauty Products” I have a few tucked into my bathroom draw as I’m sure most of us do. Moisturiser, toner, makeup, perfume… these are things most of us probably use every day to a varying degree.
But do you have any concerns over what kind of impact your beauty regime may be having to your health? Or what kind of ethical or environmental impact your choices have? Let’s take a closer look at these products and find out a little more about their impact on our health, ethical views and environment. [...]
Tagged as:
chemicals,
choice,
consumer culture,
environmental impact,
ethical,
natural ingredients,
oleochemical,
petrochemical,
positive impact,
synthetics
by A. Simplicity on October 22, 2009
We all need balance in our lives, a balance that allows us to consider our wants, needs and desires. To be able to weigh up our lifestyle and make choices that reflects a true desire to do better and an understanding of our impact as members of a consumer society.
I am hoping, over the next couple of weeks, to target specific areas of our everyday life and look at how our choices and habits have an effect on the world around us. [...]
Tagged as:
better future,
change,
choice,
consumer culture,
environmental impact,
ethical,
everyday life,
happiness,
modern life,
positive impact
by A. Simplicity on September 29, 2009
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. [...]
Tagged as:
choice,
consumer culture,
environmental impact,
ethical,
positive impact
by A. Simplicity on September 18, 2009
We all have a conscious and none of us really want to have a negative social or environmental impact, right? But do we really ever consider the connection between the things we buy and the living world?
Every day we hear about climate change, poverty, starvation, disease, drought and pollution, are harassed to go ‘green’, be eco-friendly, biodegradable and sustainable all while having consumerism and product placement choke us and drive us a little crazy. We can’t help but turn-off!
If we sweat the big stuff too much, it paralyses us, we feel there is nothing we can do to ’save the world from ultimate destruction’. [...]
Tagged as:
choice,
consumer culture,
environmental impact,
ethical,
modern life,
positive impact
by A. Simplicity on September 11, 2009
Using natural products sounds like a great idea and a better alternative to your standard off-the-shelf product. However be warned, there is no legal definition for the term ‘natural’ when used in marketing.
We need to realise that just because a product is labeled ‘Natural’ does not in any way imply that it is free of potentially harmful synthetic ingredients or that it is an environmentally friendly alternative. The term is used so loosely in marketing it is difficult to determine exactly what any given brand means by implying their product is natural. [...]
Tagged as:
chemicals,
choice,
environmental impact,
health,
natural,
natural ingredients,
oleochemical,
petrochemical,
synthetics
