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Live the sustainable life, lighten up!
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As we approach the end of one year and the beginning of another, our thoughts naturally turn towards fresh starts. A new year gives us the go ahead to let go of the things we didn't get around to finishing as well as the inspiration to begin something new. Sustainable living has a similar feel. Its about simplifying as opposed to accumulating. Mindful reusing as opposed to mindless consuming. So instead of waiting around until January to start, check or shed habits, why not spread it out a little? What do I mean? Well, for example, if you had one day to get rid of everything you don't need, use or want, where would you start? I, for one, have two of nearly everything I own. Just in case something happens to one item, I always have a backup. I may think I sleep better knowing I have an entire house in duplicate, but in reality, the clutter this kind of mentality creates is simply that, clutter. Too much stuff is too much stuff, period. As Americans, we live for the mall, blue light specials and bargains of any kind. As human beings, we are ball and chaining ourselves to stuff we don't need and usually forget about as soon as we stuff it into our closet or drawers.Remember when you were a kid and there was something you really wanted but you knew you had to wait fora birthday or holiday or to save up your allowance before you could get it? Now, if we as adults want something and its not cost prohibitive, we just buy it. We don't think about it. If we want it we buy it. But if we want to live sustainably, we need to clear it out.
In this, our quest towards creating a sustainable lifestyle, the first step is to go through what we already own. This is the hard part. Actually starting to go through not just a closet or two but a house full of stuff is a daunting task. But take heart, my little pack rats, if we cut our work into chewable pieces, its not so overwhelming. So lets take upcycling to heart. As you may remember, upcycling is the code name for giving stuff away that is then given a whole new life as someone else's possession. Its just a matter of getting the stuff out of your closet and into someone else's!
In order to do the deed, we must schedule it. Allow two or more hours per room and carve out time every other day or so for the next week or two. It took years to accumulate all that good stuff. Don't even think you can get rid of it in quick time. Next, get as many boxes and large sacks as you need depending on what you are doing. For bedroom closets, separate items categorically like winter clothes, summer clothes, shoes, coats, boys' clothes, girls' clothes etc. For a kids room, items could be separated into clothes, toys and books, for example. Be cognizant that what you give away is actually something that someone else will want. Go on line to find donation centers for household items, clothing and even cars. In Los Angeles, there are many organizations that will take your donated items like Goodwill with over 40 LA donation Centers,the Downtown Women's Center (DWC) and the Greater Hope Foundation for foster parents' needs. Many of these organizations will arrange to pick up your items so don't let the size get in your way. Better yet, organize your family, friends, church or neighborhood into a group check and shed. There's no better way to stay on track than to get others involved in your task.
Lightening our loads by giving to others is perhaps one of the easiest paths to sustainability. Better yet, it just feels good. So do yourself, the planet and others a favor, lighten up!
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