This week I promised to dig into the terms ‘organic’ and ‘conscious’. I’m going to table ‘organic’ for another week because it’s a doozy. So let’s start with ‘conscious.’
The online dictionary definition of conscious is: aware of and responding to one's surroundings; awake.
Looking at this term through the consumerism lens, conscious shopping means asking questions, looking at the options, and making a decision based on what’s important to you.
Making conscious shopping decisions doesn’t mean you always have to buy sustainable/organic/ethical/green/(insert other buzzwords here). Remember small changes can make a difference too.
So start by considering what’s important to you. Here are a few things to consider.
- Convenience
- Price
- Origin of product
- Manufacturing process
- Ingredients/materials
- Brand ownership and behavior
Need a few more cues to get you going? Just send me an email (info@lillabarn.com) and I’m happy to help.
Here are some examples of conscious changes I’ve made in my own home. My family has decided to be more mindful about the products that we use and the waste we produce. So...
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We have switched to using wax food wraps in the kitchen in place of aluminum foil and plastic wrap. I’ll be making more of these wraps that will be available for sale later this year.
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We’ve ditched other single use paper products like paper towels and cotton facial rounds/cotton balls. Instead we’re using cloth napkins, cloth towels, and re-usable cotton facial rounds (that I can make from Lilla Barn fabric scraps). I made a handful of these cotton rounds in case you want some for your home too.
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We’re using bar soap and shampoo in the bath/shower. Here are my two favorite companies: Nature’s Trace and Soap Distillery. (Plus these two companies are woman-owned which is important to me too.)
- Future goals include building a compost pile in our yard. Have you done this? Do you have tips?
You don't have to do these specific things if you don't want to. This was just to give you a starting place to even think about how you shop. You may already be making more conscious decisions when you buy. I'd love to hear what you're doing!