Keep It Simple, but Significant, and Sustainable
Keep it simple, but significant and sustainable. Photo by Kate MacKate.
Keep It Simple, but Significant, and Sustainable.
The world needs us all to be a little (actually a lot!) more intentional with what we create and consume in our day-to-day lives, don’t you think? As far as I’m concerned, keeping things simple and significant is the first step towards a more sustainable life.
Less focus on “stuff” means more time, money, and energy for people, passion, and projects. Sounds swell, doesn’t it? Do you ever find yourself asking “Why isn’t life simpler?” I know I sure do.
Nothing, it seems, is simple anymore. Somewhere along the way WE (the big, global “we”) got our priorities all mixed up. As a society, moving quickly, being busy, and getting “more” (more likes, more followers, more money) is how we define success and accomplishment. To make this fast-paced lifestyle possible, we have built ourselves a world full of convenience. We have effectively removed ourselves from the processes of growing and making so that we have more time to earn and get more.
“What surprises me most is “Man”, because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he doesn’t enjoy the present; The result being he doesn’t live in the present or the future; He lives as if he’s never going to die, and then he dies having never really lived.”
Don’t get me wrong, I am a big fan of many of our modern conveniences, but I can’t help but wonder what the cost of convenience has been. I think it might be more than we realize.
With all the hustle and bustle of modern-day living, I often find myself dreaming of a simpler life. To me, that means a life where the journey is just as important as the destination. A life where we are more intentional and connected to each other and to the processes of making and appreciating the things we consume.
You might say I dream of a world where our words, actions, and connections are simple, significant, and sustainable.
Less Is More — A Simple Life Could Be Swell
What do you think would happen if you decided that you weren’t going to put your energy and time into getting more? If, instead, you decided to put your energy into what you already have. In fact, what if you took it a step further and decided to take stock of what you have and to let go of anything (“stuff”, relationships, obligations) that you didn’t need or that didn’t make you feel swell.
What would that life look like? Close your eyes and think about it for a minute. I know what it would look like for me.
I see a life where I am more at ease. I’m less rushed. I am spending time with my family, friends, and community and am present in each moment. I am creating more and enjoying the process. I’m less worried about money because I’m less worried about “stuff”. I feel connected to the things in my home because they were chosen or made with care. I feel supported; confident in my place and value. I feel satisfied. I feel swell!
“To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter… to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring — these are some of the rewards of the simple life.”
Living life with less stress, more time, and deeper connections to self and community sounds amazing to me. So the question is, how do we make those changes? It feels hard to think about up-ending your whole life, so why don’t we start with a few simple changes.
Simplifying Your Space
Did you know that a cluttered space is stressful for your mind and your body? It’s true. Clutter has been linked to everything from allergies to depression. When you cut down on clutter (knick-knacks, papers, piles of “stuff” that doesn’t have its own place in your space) you are doing yourself a big favour. The top benefits of simplifying your space are:
You Can Breathe More Easily
Clutter collects dirt and dust. Getting rid of those piles can help you breathe more easily, cut down on allergies, and make your space easier to clean.
You Will Feel Less Stressed
Clutter in your home or workspace is distracting and can make you feel anxious (When am I going to find time to clean that up?) and even guilty or ashamed (Why did I buy that? I don’t want anyone to see this space, it’s so messy.) Cleaning up and letting go of things that no longer serve you means you have less to do in the future and can feel more at ease in your space.
Hidden Money?
Often, there are lots of things you have purchased over the years that you don’t use (or maybe never used!) that you could sell. If you took the time to de-clutter intentionally, not only would it benefit your mind and body, but your wallet might be a little fuller, too!
Simplifying Your Time
A cluttered life is just as harmful as a cluttered house; in both cases, it can be hard to take a breathe and easy to get stressed out. Wearing busy like a badge of honour isn’t going to get you anywhere except burnt out, friend. It’s just not sustainable.
Why not think about de-cluttering your life? When you say “no” to work and social engagements that you don’t feel called to do, you are freeing up space and energy for the things you do care about.
You Are More Present
When you have fewer things on your plate, you have more ability to focus and enjoy the process.
You Are More Productive
By doing less, you could actually achieve more. Your brain likes focusing on one thing at a time so, slimming down the list of tasks duking it out for your attention means you will work more effectively on the task at hand.
You Will Have More Balance in Your Life
With fewer jobs to do and people to please, you have more time to focus on your own health and well-being. It is easier to set boundaries and to prioritize where you are going to invest your time and energy.
Letting Go Of Stuff That Doesn’t Make You Feel Swell
One step towards living a simpler life is de-cluttering your space. Because we are material creatures, letting go of our “stuff” isn’t easy. But you can do it! I know you can.
I am willing to bet that there are more than a few things in your space that you have kept out of a sense of obligation, guilt, or shame. If you look at something and you don’t like it, don’t use it, and feel stressed out or just plain bad because of it, it’s time to let it go.
You’ve heard of Marie Kondo, right? She has become the Queen of Decluttering with her concept of keeping only those things that spark joy. It’s a beautiful idea but the concept of sparking joy can be hard to connect with. So, let’s make it simple.
When you are deciding what to keep and what to let go ask yourself these three simple but significant questions.
Does it make me feel swell?
Why keep something that makes you feel down, guilty, or bad about yourself? Clothing is a great example. When you wear that rad denim jacket do you think about the good times you had and breathe a contented little sigh or do you find yourself feeling bad about where you are in life today? If it doesn’t make you feel swell, let it go.
Does it make my heart swell?
Letting go of sentimental items is tough but you can’t hold on to everything. Be picky but recognize that, there are some things that are irreplaceable. Those baby handprints, your grandfather’s favourite sweater (the one that still smells like the garage), or the first love letter you ever received, for example. These things really make your heart swell and are totally worth keeping.
Does it make my life swell?
Some things we keep because they make our lives more comfortable or functional. On the other hand, I guarantee there are things in your space that you like (pretty!) but, when it comes down to it, are a pain in the butt. Need an example? How about the dozen throw cushions you have on the couch. If you spend more time nagging your partner or your kids to pick them up than you do admiring them or actually sitting on the couch, it’s time to let them go. No cushions mean no nagging. That sounds swell, right?
More Than Simple: The Sustainable Living Movement
The 1950s was the dawn of the golden age of consumerism. After the wars, comfort, convenience, and abundance were celebrated. More than celebrated, they were fetishized. They became the cornerstone of the proverbial “American Dream”.
As the culture of consumerism grew, people began to feel the weight of modernization. Slowly, the beginnings of a counter-movement took root and by the 1960s and 70s, the push to live more simply and to get “back to the land” was growing (those hippies may have been on to something!). After a bit of a detour during the 1980s and early 1990s, and fuelled by all the hype and fear that came with Y2K and the dawning of a new millennium, the movement to return to a simpler, more sustainable, way of living was gaining in popularity and urgency.
This push to simplify life, to slow down and “get back to the land” is what we now call the Sustainable Living Movement.
For some, living sustainably means striving for a minimalist or zero-waste lifestyle. For others, it is less about ditching consumerism (though, buying less “stuff” is certainly part of it!) and more about reevaluating priorities and rebuilding a connection with the earth and the community. In either case, sustainable living has significant benefits for us as people and for Mother Earth.
“If it can’t be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled, or composted then it should be restricted, redesigned, or removed from production.”
So you may be wondering what types of things you can do to start making your life more sustainable. The good news is, making small and consistent changes to your everyday life is the perfect way to start. It isn’t hard—in fact, I bet you are doing some of these things already.
Sustainable Eating + Grocery Shopping tips
Avoid buying food wrapped in plastic.
Ditch single-use plastic bags (cotton totes are cute and environmentally friendly!)
Eat more plants and less meat. Turns out, you do win friends with a plant-rich diet and you can change the world too!
Eat better quality, locally and ethically raised meat if you do eat meat; it’s better for your health, for local farmers, and for the animals.
Shop at local Farmers Markets! Meet the people who grow food in your area. Nothing buying local means everything you buy has a smaller carbon footprint because it isn’t being shipped in from across the country.
Stock your pantry from bulk food stores and store your dried goods in glass or re-claimed plastic containers.
Stick to in-season foods as much as possible.
Reduce food waste. Only buy what you need and use it. Any waste that remains can be easily composted and used again in a garden or for nutrition-rich potting soil.
Looking for a bigger sustainable food challenge? Start a garden in your kitchen or yard and try growing some of your own food. Tomatoes, potatoes, salad greens, herbs and beans are easy things to start with and you can get a whole lot of veggie goodness out of a small space. If you really want to learn a new skill, stock up on veggies and fruits and try canning and preserving them yourself.
Sustainable Transportation Tips
Drive Less. If your family has two cars, can you go down to one? You’ll save a ton on gas and insurance and you’ll be helping reduce air pollution
Take Public Transit. In most cities, taking the bus to work is an option. It’s more affordable than a car, you can read or chat while you ride, and it cuts down on the number of cars on the road.
Get a Bike! You may not be able to use a bike as your main mode of transportation but it’s a great way to get around town and stay in shape.
Looking for a bigger sustainable transportation challenge? If you need a car (most of us do!) why not make it a goal to save up and invest in an electric vehicle?
More Tips To Help You Live Sustainably
Clothing - The fashion industry is right up there on the list of industries that are doing more harm than good in this world contributing up to 10% of annual global carbon emissions. When buying new clothes, choose quality and sustainability over quantity and buy from shops that are committed to practices that put people and the planet first. Better yet! Buy second-hand. Head to a second-hand or vintage shop and get lost in the thrill of the find. You’ll be surprised by what you can love again!
Toiletries + Cleaners - We use toiletry and cleaning products on a daily basis. Think about how that adds up over a year or lifetime. Much like clothing, sanitary items are often made from non-organic cotton, which is a pesticide-intensive crop causing soil degradation. These items are also often packed with synthetic ingredients that are bad for the planet and our health. Plus, they’re packed in plastic. From your soaps to sunscreen to toothpaste, there are alternatives that will help you reduce your daily impacts and maintain better health too!
Speak Up With Your Voice (and Money) - Whether you’re conserving water or remembering to turn off the lights, the small things DO add up but as we become aware of the gravity of the climate change crisis—it’s hard not to feel helpless. I know I feel this way when I think about what the future looks like for my own children. That’s why it’s so important to speak up to gain collective momentum for making meaningful and long-term change. Write letters to your local and federal politicians if something isn’t right. Our voices matter! If you see something, say something. This applies to businesses and corporations too and where you spend your money counts is a powerful way to seek change.
Upcycling: Going Beyond The 3 Rs
I am determined to find ways to bring back the art and intimacy of card and letter writing as part of simple, sustainable living. Aside from taking care with the materials used to make the Swell Made Co. stationery, there is a great opportunity to take cards out of the one-time use category and fold them into your sustainable living journey in a fun way!
All of our cards are recyclable (HOORAY!) but that isn’t always the case with greeting cards. Many of them have plastic parts or are covered in glitter. In most cities, this takes recycling off the table.
The good news is there are several ways you can reuse parts of your cards. For example, you can make them into gift tags or cut the back cover off and Voila! you have a postcard.
If you are willing to get a little bit creative, there are even ways you can go beyond the 3 Rs and use your cards to make something completely new! This is called upcycling.
What is Upcycling?
An upcycled project can be anything from a table made from an old barn-board to a hair-clip fashioned out of magazine clippings. It can be functional, or just fun and when it comes to upcycling your greeting cards, the options are really endless. Here is a shortlist of some of the more creative and practical ideas I found to get you thinking!
Reframe It. Our cards and other cards that come your way make lovely mini pieces of art. Reframe your cards to add a personal statement to your home. Every time you see it, you’ll remember why the card is special and who it came from. Frames are easy to come by at second-hand or local shops. Simply insert your card! Use a mat if the frame isn’t the precise size. Mats also elevate the look of the piece by making it appear custom.
Make Your Own Paper. Chances are you have done this as a kid. Heck! Get the kids involved. If you have a pile of cards hanging around, shred them up and make your own stationery paper. You could even add flower or veggie seeds to them and use them to create your own personalized greeting cards.
Turn Your Card Into A Gift Box. This is such a neat idea. Instead of buying little boxes for gift cards, jewelry, or candies, make your own from a reused greeting card.
Each of these projects ticks every box! They are simple to do, they give you the chance to (re)learn a new old-world skill, and they will make your gift-giving and correspondence that much more significant. Which one are you going to try first?
Swell Made Co. Commitments
You’ve made it this far. Thank you! Finally, being kind to the environment has always been important to me. And now, as I find myself becoming more passionate about finding ways to make life simpler and more sustainable, I am proud to say from day one our paper goods have always been consciously printed on paper with recycled material (+PCW) and are FSC, SFI and Rainforest Alliance Certified. All environmentally friendly envelopes are made with 100% recycled material (+PCW). The same goes for the packing materials we use to ship your orders big and small with our boxes, stuffing and mailers. The little things add up! Read our full commitment to Doing Good which includes more about ethical manufacturing and our commitment to supporting small businesses and local economies.
When you choose Swell Made Co. you’re also choosing to support Plan Canada’s Because I am a Girl project to help girls access basic human rights including access to education and maternal, newborn and sexual and reproductive healthcare. We recognize this is the biggest commitment we can make to fight climate change. While the small things count; Project Drawdown identifies the four most effective strategies for mitigating global warming are: reducing food waste (compost, yo!), educating girls, providing family and reproductive healthcare and shifting to a plant-rich diet. We are committed to educating girls and advocating for the health of women and girls at home and in communities around the world by donating 5% from each purchase.
Thank you, you’re swell!