Over the past couple of years there has been a huge shift in my priorities and how I invest my time. I used to sit at a café every Saturday sipping a creamy cappuccino (occasionally choking on the powdered chocolate) surrounded by shopping bags from various stores. Shopping filled a void. Whilst handing over my 5th credit card I would be filled with an adrenalin rush, I felt that owning all this stuff somehow defined who I was as a person.
The movie Fightclub articulates it perfectly “Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don’t need.”
Months later I had mounds of clothing, which I had rarely touched or worn. I used to justify this habit by saying my excess consumption was not hurting anyone bar my wallet. How wrong I was.
The movie Fightclub articulates it perfectly “Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don’t need.”
Months later I had mounds of clothing, which I had rarely touched or worn. I used to justify this habit by saying my excess consumption was not hurting anyone bar my wallet. How wrong I was.
Over time I began to learn about industrialisation and consumerism along with it's impacts on both the environment and on my fellow earthlings. What I didn't know was that the fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world, second to oil. It takes 2,700 litres of water to create one t'shirt, and the textile industry alone is responsible for 20% of the world's water pollution.
Alexander McQueen a British fashion designer said:
“Fashion is so indicative of the political and social climate in which we live, what we
wear will always be a symptom of our environment.”
I think we all need to ask ourselves what fashion is saying about us as a society. Many fashion labels design clothing to deteriorate within a few months as to encourage further purchasing. What are we saying about our life through our choices when our limited resources are so carelessly discarded?
Needless to say my life choices began to change as my knowledge grew.
So today I have made the pledge to buy nothing new for the next 365.2 days. I'm going to thrift, second hand shop and create a more sustainable lifestyle that I am proud of!
I would love to hear of any ideas or tips from those who have undertaken a similar challenge!
Wish me Luck! :) xx