5 for the price of 1, I mean why not- if you can get that.. might even need it later, and what a bargain ! Shop till you Drop... The world is filling up with things, stuff after stuff after stuff.. and then some more stuff just to sprinkle some on top. We are drowning.
Yes, it is nice to get new things sometimes, especially if it is something we thought about for a long time....I am not trying to be political and I am not the best at arguing a case, but allow yourself to think.. how much do you need it ?
Can we think twice ?
The past years I have made a commitment, to only shop second hand.. may I say however that food, underwear, a recently published book I thought of for a long time or essentials that simply can not be found in second hand shops are not included. The reason I do this (well besides the fact that Londons recycling scene with multiple charity and thrift shops is quite unique) is, well first of all the money and quality.. it is really hard to argue with this lifestyle if you knew that you can find Levis jeans for 5 pounds.. and in really good condition, worn- but still lasting. Compare that with the new, and low quality products found in fast-fashion stores.
But there are far more important reasons, the planet for starters, and its people, the factories, the conditions, the lives that are given for our 5th pair of cute boots. I do my best not to support it... and Yes.. I do realize that the reason these shops I go to is filled with all these things is because someone else bought them, and did not need it. But I assure you.. there are much clothes and materials out there, laying around.. never used, waiting to be piled upon with even more pieces of clothing. I want to make use out of those things, the things that already have been produced.. Start using the clothing (and trash) that we already created... use that for what we need. now and for the future. Something designers could jump on more as well.
Another good deed that the shops here in London do, is that they donate the income to charities, charities ranging an from mental health, to homelessness, employing people with disabilities, animal welfare and mother earth. If the garment was already created, and the conditions might even have caused pain, it could at least be used again so that someone else could get spared from pain, get a better life this way. And if there are no charity shops where you live, think at least of how (if we all started doing the same) eventually that same woman or child, would not have to sow another pair.
And yes..there is that question of making ends meat, and I do not think that the question is "just like that" easily solvable, people want it cheap.. but if we changed our values from cheap and many till few, fair and lasting (while hopefully not forgetting earth friendly, either by re-use or sustainable) I believe, with today's inventive culture, our world could come up with an solution.
There is also the sentence I have heard so many times.. " - It does not matter if I stop, leave one less print on the planet or do a good thing for someone else, I am just one person and things will continue to be the same" but everything always started with a few here and there making a change, why not lead with an example, and maybe we would all more more conscious one day.
But dear friend, habitat of this planet earth, whatever you do, never consume more than you need, no matter the bargain, think of what your actions really speak.
And if it is happiness you are trying to achieve.. then is this over-consuming really what you need ?
Treasure hunt are fun and exciting, on that I can agree, but what if Black Friday Shopping could stand for something that does good for us all & builds the wild and beautiful on this earth back on its feet ?
Yes, it is nice to get new things sometimes, especially if it is something we thought about for a long time....I am not trying to be political and I am not the best at arguing a case, but allow yourself to think.. how much do you need it ?
Can we think twice ?
The past years I have made a commitment, to only shop second hand.. may I say however that food, underwear, a recently published book I thought of for a long time or essentials that simply can not be found in second hand shops are not included. The reason I do this (well besides the fact that Londons recycling scene with multiple charity and thrift shops is quite unique) is, well first of all the money and quality.. it is really hard to argue with this lifestyle if you knew that you can find Levis jeans for 5 pounds.. and in really good condition, worn- but still lasting. Compare that with the new, and low quality products found in fast-fashion stores.
But there are far more important reasons, the planet for starters, and its people, the factories, the conditions, the lives that are given for our 5th pair of cute boots. I do my best not to support it... and Yes.. I do realize that the reason these shops I go to is filled with all these things is because someone else bought them, and did not need it. But I assure you.. there are much clothes and materials out there, laying around.. never used, waiting to be piled upon with even more pieces of clothing. I want to make use out of those things, the things that already have been produced.. Start using the clothing (and trash) that we already created... use that for what we need. now and for the future. Something designers could jump on more as well.
Another good deed that the shops here in London do, is that they donate the income to charities, charities ranging an from mental health, to homelessness, employing people with disabilities, animal welfare and mother earth. If the garment was already created, and the conditions might even have caused pain, it could at least be used again so that someone else could get spared from pain, get a better life this way. And if there are no charity shops where you live, think at least of how (if we all started doing the same) eventually that same woman or child, would not have to sow another pair.
And yes..there is that question of making ends meat, and I do not think that the question is "just like that" easily solvable, people want it cheap.. but if we changed our values from cheap and many till few, fair and lasting (while hopefully not forgetting earth friendly, either by re-use or sustainable) I believe, with today's inventive culture, our world could come up with an solution.
There is also the sentence I have heard so many times.. " - It does not matter if I stop, leave one less print on the planet or do a good thing for someone else, I am just one person and things will continue to be the same" but everything always started with a few here and there making a change, why not lead with an example, and maybe we would all more more conscious one day.
But dear friend, habitat of this planet earth, whatever you do, never consume more than you need, no matter the bargain, think of what your actions really speak.
And if it is happiness you are trying to achieve.. then is this over-consuming really what you need ?
Treasure hunt are fun and exciting, on that I can agree, but what if Black Friday Shopping could stand for something that does good for us all & builds the wild and beautiful on this earth back on its feet ?
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