But Do You Need It?

Follow along in my journey to become a more mindful consumer.

2023 - Prime Recovery

2023 is going to be a new take on mindfulness for me. This year I am going to focus on being a mindful consumer with what I am calling a #butdoyouneedit challenge. I have brought so much mindfulness and intentionality to my life but can confess that I am not at all a conscious consumer… exactly the opposite, I am a mindless consumer.

I am not a fan of shopping and the ability to have what is needed or wanted delivered with a few quick clicks and very little effort has become custom. There is no cash exchanged, no trip to a store to hold or touch an item and it has all become well, thoughtless.

What it is. What it's not.

What this challenge is for me is a commitment to learning more about the cost of consumption. This includes not only the impact of landfills piling up with the remnants of our disposable lifestyles, but the cost to Mother Earth for creating all of these things that we (let me not speak for everyone) I take for granted.

To be clear, this is not a challenge based in frugality or saving in anyway. I acknowledge that often, the products or services that I find as the best option may very well be more expensive. I also absolutely love spending on activities, travel, and services and find that supporting others in that way is fulfilling to me and them.

How I See It

I want to put the effort into contemplating if an item is truly needed. Do I have something that can be repurposed? Could I borrow or trade? Could it be purchased used? And if I need to buy new, is there a sustainable option that could be purchased locally.

I am sure that this is not going to be easy….. but I remember the first time I attempted meditation and that wasn’t easy either (sometimes still isn't). And like that *practice* I will give myself grace that if, no, when I get off course, I will begin again.

So I will start with my intention.

I intend to be a mindful consumer. I intend to purchase what is needed that is best for me, my health and the Earth and reduce unnecessary consumption of new goods. I intend to support local businesses and companies that make sustainability a core value.

This will not be a practice for perfection, but a practice for purpose – to gain knowledge on our consumption and the impact on the Earth and to be mindful in how I contribute to that.

So this little blog (journal) will keep me accountable as well as allow me to learn all of the bonus lessons - writing practice, how to blog, how to conquer fears of sharing, how to connect with others trying to make small changes themselves.