shopping and TMI/S

Erin: Rachel, I have been thinking a lot about shopping and what things I bring into my house and then have to take care of. In the past few years I have spent a lot of time trying to weed through all the things that Tim and I both brought into our marriage and what things I cared to keep moving around. (can you believe that we have moved 4 times in the last 5 years!) All that packing makes me hyper aware of STUFF. IN addition to which we now have added "necessities" for Dara. It can get to be over whelming. TOO MUCH STUFF

One of the women in my church commented to me the other day that even though she tries to keep on top of it all she feels there is just too much information coming at her. So she would rather just not do anything, but then there is all this guilt. Which makes me think of a few things.

1 - What makes becoming "gorgeously green" more do-able?
2 - What gives people the courage and/or energy to make the necessary changes?

Wherever people are on this journey, I think the questions still are important to ask. For me, right now, I am inspired by the women in these discussions, I am inspired by the more eco-friendly products that I see - which brings me back to shopping and too much information/stuff.

I think it is important that we share our conversations and stories, but I also think it is important to remind each other that no one person can save the world. If we can each take ONE opportunity, learn ONE new habit, share ONE success then we are well on the way to a greener lifestyle - What do you think?

Rachel: Erin, yes - I need to remind myself that it really is about ONE thing at a time. I too am struggling a bit with the shopping thing. I think that I really don't buy very much stuff - but then why do I have so much garbage? And why aren't all of my closets nice and roomy? Uggg .... I have to constantly remind myself to reuse/repurpose the things that I already have. I thought a bit about the San Francisco Compact - where the group didn't buy anything new for a whole year (except for necessities)!!!! Now, I don't think that I am ready to go that far --- but what I am going to commit to in June is to scope out some second-hand clothing stores .... but the cool ones!!! When I lived in San Franciso there were some great places to shop for second-hand clothing (some never worn) but it felt like you were in a hip boutique. I know they must exist here - so I am going to do some scoping. Plus, maybe I can get some stuff that I could NEVER afford new. Again, it isn't completely ceasing to be part of the economy - just doing my ONE thing to be gorgeous and green!!! :)

The other thing that I neeed to remember - is that this is a process. It is not about doing something one month - and then stopping while doing something new. It is about making small changes that turn into my lifestyle. I am still using coconut oil every day on my skin - and as a deep moisturizer for my hair. And I LOVE how my skin looks. I still am struggling with other products .... but am making some progress. I will put out my plea again for a great sunscreen!!!! I am meditating irregularly - but better than nothing at all - and the same with my sun salutations. I have yet to go to the Bikram Yoga class - out of total fear of looking stupid. .... So I need to get over myself and just do it. I know that I have all of the G3 girls behind me!! I am faithfully going to the library, bringing my own bags not only to the grocery store but to Nordstrom, buying as much local food as I can (too bad bananas don't grow in MN!!!), composting, trying to not use my car if my destination is less than 10 miles away, using green cleaning products, tending to my garden and I have not used my dryer in the past 6 weeks (and, yes, mom, I have done laundry!!). I have not turned on my AC (even when it was 97 in MN in May!!!) and am using my push reel mower - even if it only bends over the dandelions. So -- all of my ONE things have turned into a greener lifestyle. All of the ONE things do add up --- and I would love to hear from everyone else what their ONE thing is.