Slow Living: Sustainability as a Lifestyle
Slow Living: Sustainability as a Lifestyle
@seedandsproutco: An incredible plastic-free eco homeware store in Byron Bay.
Shot by @elsas_wholesomelife
Eco-friendly was widely seen as awkward and inefficient for many years, but something has shifted recently in our approach to eco-friendly living. Not only is sustainable living an act of compassion for our Earth, but it is also an incredible and meaningful way to live.
In the 1950s, significant time was invested into cooking, relationships, home and work life. We are living in a fast-paced world which has compromised the sustainability of the planet by prioritising the fastest way to achieve a task. Often when focusing on speed and success, the quality and meaning is removed. The result can be lack of enjoyment, fulfilment and potentially mistakes which inevitably creates more work
Plastic-Free July has taken Australia, and I’m meeting more and more people who are conscious of their personal impact on the earth. I’m finding that we are moving at a slower pace, and are more relaxed and efficient because of it. It is like we are living in a different era. When we are limited to sustainable resources, there is an opportunity to become more creative in the way engage with our food, home and relationships:
Consider growing your own fruit and vegetables or just some herbs. Finding yourself in your garden with some dirt on your hands is the most incredible way to relax and wind-down after a long day at work.
Before throwing away all your clothes don’t spark joy or sugar because it’s toxic, find ways to reuse them. Rags are always needed around the house and raw sugar makes the best face and body exfoliant!
Don’t go out with friends for a change. Stay in for a candlelit dinner you prepared together. Not only are you saving money and developing the all-important life skill of cooking, you’re engaging with your friends in a different way and becoming closer because of it. Passively sitting at a restaurant and consuming food together can be boring after a while and of course, contribute to a lot of unnecessary use of electricity, water and waste.
Explore grocery shopping with a beautiful fabric mesh bag, to pick up organic fruits and vegetables. Store all your herbs and spices in glass containers - they look so lovely and organised.
Put time into saving for beautiful, high-quality clothing made from organic materials - you will never need to replace them and they will keep you warm and well-styled for your whole life.
Don’t throw away your parents beautiful homewares and furniture - as an interior designer, I promise these pieces can be the key to a beautifully styled space.
This way of life may take some adjustment, but it is the only way that encourages wellbeing and guarantees longevity. So if not at least for the planet, choose to slow down and make more conscious decisions for your own lifestyle and joy.
