Have you seen the Vinted advertisment? It poses the question: 'what if we wore our overconsumption?' and when I saw it I had a visceral reaction because only days before, I had unpacked my woollen knits from the top of the wardrobe and questioned how many I actually need (in Tasmania, they're easily justified).
Looking forward to reading your thoughts on this topic which is particularly pertinent in the current climate. I continually ask myself: what do I need to live well?
Thanks for sharing that Jodi - I hadn't seen it before and agree, it's a really powerful way of putting our consumption into real-world terms. And that question of what we need *to live well* is really at the crux of it isn't it? Like, what does living well look like? How can we find ways to live well with less? Where's the line between good enough and not enough? I'm curious to dig in this term, super glad to have you along for the ride 💚💚
I like this concept - it's kind to self. I think it's possible to become totally consumed with anti-consumption, and also consumed with the guilt of consuming!!! Although I do still like being consumed by a good book! Is being consumed a good thing sometimes?
I have been allll of those things Suzi! Consumed by anti-consumption, by guilt and most definitely by a good book. (And that is classified as a good kind of consumed from my perspective!)
I think when it comes to books (and this is totally my own preference coming to the forefront!) as long as we're engaged, learning, expanding, the what doesn't matter very much. The amount of joy I get from getting lost in all sorts of books makes it worthwhile.
Looking forward to reading your thoughts, especially around enoughness. I dramatically reduced my consumption of information & tech over the last couple of months after reading Digital Minimalism, & overall I feel much better for it, but now I’m trying to find that sweet spot between too much & too little. When I’m consuming too little, I end up feeling disconnected - & not in a good way.
It's such a tricky balance to strike isn't it? I'm doing a lot of thinking/reading about different ways we can approach this and can't wait to dig into it with everyone here. 💚
I loved hearing (the audio version of this letter) your thoughts on consumption. I guess it's a language thing, since English is my second language, but I've always thought of consumption as the things we buy and use. Like clothes, and stuff. But I like that it's possible to use the word about consuming movies, instagram reels, food, time in general I guess. Earlier this week I deleted my Instagram app on my phone (for the third time this year), and it feels so good with a break. It is so easy to fall into the trap of consuming just one more reel, and all of a sudden you've lost an hour to instagram.
I also recognise the thought about not being good enough with recycling, buying too much or the guilt when having to throw things in the trash instead of finding a more valuable use for it. I am still working with this guilt or shame or whatever it is. Not everything CAN be recycled, and I am not to blame for that. The governments all over the world need to take more responsibility, making it easier for us to shop local (I currently work as a mail carrier and see how many people order so much (useless) stuff from Temu sent all the way from China to Norway, it's really sad), and making companies build and sell stuff that has better quality and are easier and cheaper to repair when broken instead of buying new.
Ok, sorry about the long comment, I had too much to say about this topic 😆 Oh, and I also look forward to the Olympics, although not soccer but running. Norway has some really good runners, so that's exciting to follow 😄
I loved your long comment. Is it better to consume locally or from out of the country? Does that make a difference? Living in a tiny, rural town there aren't many options for shopping. It is always an issue.
This is exactly why I try and push back on the idea that slow living is somehow easier living in the country (we live in a small town in the country too). Being in the city, or the suburbs, you often have more options for shopping, and things like public transport, cycle ways, thrift shops, bulk food stores, farmers markets, co-ops, support networks etc are often much more accessible. I guess it comes down to what we see when we picture slow, sustainable living, as well as the practicalities.
There's definitely something in the whole 'being consumed by our consumption' that I want to dig in to this term, but when paired with the high levels of excess consumption we see everywhere, it's hard not to be. And I 100% agree on there needing to be systemic change. We can't shoulder the blame and responsibility ourselves — it's too big an issue — but at least we can start with conversations like this. We never know where they'll ripple out into the world.
And I'll make sure to cheer for Norway in the running too! It's fun to have a few different countries to barrack for. (Always Australia, NZ and Canada for us, so I'll add Norway into the mix!)
I love this topic. My brain is broken from overconsumption of info. I too have been consumed by the guilt of 'if I'm not doing everything, I'm failing'. I'm def an all or nothing person, I'd love to be a moderator.
This is one of the ways I've probably cottoned on to the moderation idea earlier. I learnt a few years ago that I had attached good and bad labels to food because of how I was raised, and it had led me to be very all or nothing/binge-eating/obsessively clean eating etc. As I learnt more about nutrition and diet culture and what is actually good for our bodies versus what we're told is good (for being skinny, not feeling well) and saw how it affected people I love, I really leaned into the moderation and found a much better relationship with food. Not perfect, but better.
Your post today reminded me of a line on a party invitation I once received: 'Bring whatever you want to consume or be consumed by'. Great topic, and I'm looking forward to seeing how you develop it.
Very much excited and on board with this topic as always. I think of *information.* It is an area that tends to leave me with *frazzled* feelings - as an extremely curious person, I want to read all the things. I know that’s not possible. But the tabs of articles I leave open to read say otherwise. The daily (often multiple) emails from news organizations (forget emails about sales, anyone else unsubscribe and still get emails!?), is what gets me.
By leaving them open, I’ll get to them “eventually” and then feel like I have to read them and so on and so on.
I don’t have social media - was never a fan of it as a kid, teenager and especially now as an adult. I always say “my articles” are my social media. I see how my time can get caught up reading and consuming all this info and while sometimes I do allow myself to do it, other times it feels like I’m checking it off a list.
This was a long one! The thought of it consumed me… (just kidding, couldn’t resist). Thanks for reading 😬 and looking forward to this next topic.
Thanks so much for sharing this, Julianna. The amount of information we're being served is really overwhelming, and when we're able to convince ourselves it's a positive thing — because we care, because we're curious, because we want to be well-informed citizens — it can be a really difficult thing to overcome. (And yes to the sales emails that just don't quit, even when I unsubscribe from them!)
There's a learning approach that I think of a lot, and has helped me somewhat in trying to keep a lid on the "just in case" learning that I often do. And it's about flipping that on its head and trying "just in time" learning instead. So rather than learning about all the things because it makes us feel well-informed, we seek out the information as we need it. So if we're going to vote, for example, rather than try to keep on top of the campaign and policies and mud-slinging for months, we can decide what our values are, and look at the policies of the parties in the days before election day. I like it because we can still remain informed, without being overwhelmed, and ultimately our decisions will be the same. I think I might like to write about this actually, so thank you for the prompt!!
100% I learnt about it years ago when I was just getting started in podcasting, and it was helpful in a professional development kind of way (i.e. learn the new task as I need to), but I'd somehow never put it to use in a broader sense until recently and I think it might be really helpful. Glad it resonated with you too, because broken brain is no fun AT ALL
You got it spot on - I want to be well informed because I care and want to learn but it gets to a point where the rate is a bit too much (including the sales emails… who do I write to remain unsubscribed?!)
Thank you for sharing that learning approach. I definitely subscribe to the “just in case” (hence all the tabs) but will definitely give the “just in time”
mindset a whirl. Broken brain really isn’t fun… especially when we all have demanding lives and jobs and roles etc. etc. whatever it may be. I am working on being more intentional with my time so this new approach is most welcome. Dare I say, it came just in time… 😬
I also get consumed by information. I find so many things fascinating! My ‘to read’ list is already long enough to last a lifetime. But I’m starting to try and think about do I want to read it or do I feel like I should read it? But then I also think, it’s only 5min, what could one more article hurt? 😂 I’m also worried that only reading what I enjoy will risk me falling into only seeking out information that fits my beliefs and the assumptions and closed mindedness that that can create, which scares me a little.
Hear hear to all you’ve shared and written! I couldn’t agree more. It is important to be aware of what and how you’re consuming, with an understanding and open mind.
Excited to learn & think alongside you. Have recently finished reading ‘stolen focus’ and since removed all 1051 people I follow on Instagram, to reset, and see if I can experiment up from 1 to…… a sustainable number of accounts (people) to follow (keep genuinely engaged with). Who knows what this will look like. A very fitting theme to be considering. Consumption. Also loved
I love this experiment Shaya! You'll have to keep us informed of how it goes. Building from the ground up to see what social media might look like when we're super intentional with it. So cool!
I had to return Stolen Focus because I was consuming too many other things! It was recommended to me by a good friend who deleted her Instagram account. I thought it would limit our connection, but it made us more mindful about creating time for one another. Actual phone calls...image.
For me it brings up the issue around engaging with the topic like consumption and reviewing it within our unique set of circumstances. Not trying to implement a set of rules compiled by others rather considering the merits of ideas and concepts and then applying ones that fit with me now. Like the idea of what do I need to live well in my current circumstances.
Yes! 100% Jan! I don't think there is a set of rules of guidelines that could fit everyone simply because we all have different values and priorities and circumstances (and these things change over time too). Maybe learning how to identify our priorities and then acknowledging that we will be able to make imperfect changes within that might be a good place to begin? And hopefully one that feels do-able rather than overwhelming. So excited to dig in.
Brooke, I wrote about something similar in my last two posts, about wanting to live a simpler life with more time for creativity but trying to do it all … and failing. Learning to accept my limits as good enough is a lifelong lesson.
I'm right there with you Monique! As much as we're all deeply caring people who want to do good in the world, it can be hard to acknowledge that our efforts will always "fall short". I guess a way forward might be to remove the idea of falling short altogether? (Easier said than done, I know!)
Does it all come down to balance and boundaries? Sometimes I have to remember that I get to choose what I want to do and consume. I don't have to do what social media pushes me to do. Very powerful!
In reflecting on your ideas, thoughts and feelings about consumption Brooke, I agree wholeheartedly. It sent me down a path of researching and I discovered Author and artist Jenny Odell. A review of her book “Saving Time” ( which I haven’t read yet), inspires us to think about how we can resist and rebel the concept of time is money…consumption and consumerism. Instead thinking about nature’s time…looking up instead of at our phones and cultivating simple acts of awareness. I love this quote from Jenny Odell; “ Modernity has pulled us out of synch with nature and the needs of our bodies; it has depleted our inner and outer worlds.”
That sounds like a really interesting read Cathy - thanks for mentioning it! And I agree that this excessive consumption has definitely warped our experience of time. I like the idea of reclaiming some of that by changing what we pay attention to. 💚💚
I’ve been thinking a lot about consuming too - I feel like for me consumption is a more passive and less mindful activity when it comes to media and shopping and the like. I’m trying to limit what I consider pure consuming in lieu of experiencing things. Like consuming feels like buying clothes, experiencing feels like wearing and styling them. Social media feels like consuming, maybe reading feels like experiencing? I’m not sure yet!
Oh, I like this way of differentiating them. There is definitely an element of mindlessness to what I see as consumption, like we're being driven to or manipulated to do it, rather than actively making the choice. And I can see how truly getting enjoyment from some of the things we consume — books, clothes that boost our confidence, experiences — can make this less a good vs bad thing, and more of a mindful vs mindless thing. There's definitely something there worth exploring! 💚
I definitely have been too, but I think it’s just about a balance for me. Making sure I’m also ‘in the real world’ and doing hard things and being bored sometimes.
Oh man, yes! Bored and uncomfortable and doing hard things - so important and so under-rated. Also, I think so much of what we're driven to consume is sold to us as a solution to boredom, discomfort or challenges. But I don't think smoothing the way all the time is good for us.
I have probably slipped into that mindset too, but like what Jennifer said a lot about differentiating between mindful and mindless consumption of things. It might be a way forward that isn't as guilt-inducing?
Yes I think the mindfulness and intention too goes a long way to consuming in a more positive less guilty way for me. I try to stay away from algorithms and targeted ads because I feel like they are the antithesis of mindful consumption! And the intention bit helps with the guilt. I’m a massive overthinker and have been pretty plagued the last few years in figuring out how to live more in line with my values and also navigating early motherhood. It’s been a wild ride and I’ve found I have spent a lot of time overthinking and it’s exhausting. And on what seem like such unimportant things like my wardrobe. I now feel like I’m at a place where I have certain guidelines that I try my best to follow, like always looking for a second hand option first, but being flexible that sometimes that’s just not practical. I then take solace that I’ve tried but I don’t need to be perfect. It’s still a work in progress!
Hi Brooke and Tortoises…there is certainly a lot in this post and this topic. On the aspect of information I am always trying to find a balance. I subscribe to a few magazines and a weekly newspaper as well as supporting another newspaper and 2 Substack newsletters-them feel pressure to get the value out of them-not to mentioned free newsletter and websites !!!
As for podcasts, I once had so many in queue that I could have flown to the UK and back and still not finished them!!! 😂😅
I am trying to reduce the need to listen to every episode of every podcast.
I have also had some burnout around the ‘war on waste’ and ended up with clutter around the house because I wasn’t throwing anything out…looking forward to where we are heading with this.
Oh yes I hear you! I used to have hundreds of podcast episodes queued up. Now I have none. 😆 Or if I do, I wouldn't know where to find them. And that's been such a relief. When I want to listen to something, I go and look for it, but I no longer feel like I need to listen to every episode of the shows I like. It's a nice reprieve!
And RE the whole war on waste thing and the inadvertent clutter that comes with it - I'm right there with you! I'll definitely be writing about that this term as I think it's a huge obstacle for a lot of us who want to do the 'right' thing, but get overwhelmed at the number of decisions and actions that involves. 💚
Welcome back Brooke! I think that this topic of consumption is very timely. I think it's crucial to discuss and look at it in our own lives. I identified with your guilt about bringing plastic into the house. My son is very disappointed with Patagonia for continuing to make clothes out of recycled plastic. He narrowed down his wardrobe to only wearing only cotton and wool. Once you open your eyes to consumption and the environmental impact, it can be paralyzing. I loved the idea of being kind and gentler with ourselves. Otherwise, it makes it impossible to eat or shop! I am thrilled that we are going to discuss this together.
Thanks Blythe! It's wonderful to be back! And I think your son's example is such a good one to highlight. Finding the actions we can take, and then taking them, is so much more empowering than getting overwhelmed by all the ways things aren't perfect. I have spent years in the weeds of overthinking my every decision, and finding a kinder, gentler way forward (I hope) will be a way to bring more people along. Plus, I just don't have the capacity to micro-manage every single food/clothing decision any more. 😆💚
Have you seen the Vinted advertisment? It poses the question: 'what if we wore our overconsumption?' and when I saw it I had a visceral reaction because only days before, I had unpacked my woollen knits from the top of the wardrobe and questioned how many I actually need (in Tasmania, they're easily justified).
Looking forward to reading your thoughts on this topic which is particularly pertinent in the current climate. I continually ask myself: what do I need to live well?
here's the ad: https://www.tiktok.com/@stylecaster/video/7373512645841800491
Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for sharing the video of the ad. One of the better ads I've seen, to be honest. Interesting view on overconsumption.
Thanks for sharing that Jodi - I hadn't seen it before and agree, it's a really powerful way of putting our consumption into real-world terms. And that question of what we need *to live well* is really at the crux of it isn't it? Like, what does living well look like? How can we find ways to live well with less? Where's the line between good enough and not enough? I'm curious to dig in this term, super glad to have you along for the ride 💚💚
I like this concept - it's kind to self. I think it's possible to become totally consumed with anti-consumption, and also consumed with the guilt of consuming!!! Although I do still like being consumed by a good book! Is being consumed a good thing sometimes?
I have been allll of those things Suzi! Consumed by anti-consumption, by guilt and most definitely by a good book. (And that is classified as a good kind of consumed from my perspective!)
I totally vote for being consumed by a good book being a good thing!
I do think consuming books is a positive. Does it matter what they are?
I think when it comes to books (and this is totally my own preference coming to the forefront!) as long as we're engaged, learning, expanding, the what doesn't matter very much. The amount of joy I get from getting lost in all sorts of books makes it worthwhile.
Looking forward to reading your thoughts, especially around enoughness. I dramatically reduced my consumption of information & tech over the last couple of months after reading Digital Minimalism, & overall I feel much better for it, but now I’m trying to find that sweet spot between too much & too little. When I’m consuming too little, I end up feeling disconnected - & not in a good way.
It's such a tricky balance to strike isn't it? I'm doing a lot of thinking/reading about different ways we can approach this and can't wait to dig into it with everyone here. 💚
I loved hearing (the audio version of this letter) your thoughts on consumption. I guess it's a language thing, since English is my second language, but I've always thought of consumption as the things we buy and use. Like clothes, and stuff. But I like that it's possible to use the word about consuming movies, instagram reels, food, time in general I guess. Earlier this week I deleted my Instagram app on my phone (for the third time this year), and it feels so good with a break. It is so easy to fall into the trap of consuming just one more reel, and all of a sudden you've lost an hour to instagram.
I also recognise the thought about not being good enough with recycling, buying too much or the guilt when having to throw things in the trash instead of finding a more valuable use for it. I am still working with this guilt or shame or whatever it is. Not everything CAN be recycled, and I am not to blame for that. The governments all over the world need to take more responsibility, making it easier for us to shop local (I currently work as a mail carrier and see how many people order so much (useless) stuff from Temu sent all the way from China to Norway, it's really sad), and making companies build and sell stuff that has better quality and are easier and cheaper to repair when broken instead of buying new.
Ok, sorry about the long comment, I had too much to say about this topic 😆 Oh, and I also look forward to the Olympics, although not soccer but running. Norway has some really good runners, so that's exciting to follow 😄
I loved your long comment. Is it better to consume locally or from out of the country? Does that make a difference? Living in a tiny, rural town there aren't many options for shopping. It is always an issue.
This is exactly why I try and push back on the idea that slow living is somehow easier living in the country (we live in a small town in the country too). Being in the city, or the suburbs, you often have more options for shopping, and things like public transport, cycle ways, thrift shops, bulk food stores, farmers markets, co-ops, support networks etc are often much more accessible. I guess it comes down to what we see when we picture slow, sustainable living, as well as the practicalities.
There's definitely something in the whole 'being consumed by our consumption' that I want to dig in to this term, but when paired with the high levels of excess consumption we see everywhere, it's hard not to be. And I 100% agree on there needing to be systemic change. We can't shoulder the blame and responsibility ourselves — it's too big an issue — but at least we can start with conversations like this. We never know where they'll ripple out into the world.
And I'll make sure to cheer for Norway in the running too! It's fun to have a few different countries to barrack for. (Always Australia, NZ and Canada for us, so I'll add Norway into the mix!)
I love this topic. My brain is broken from overconsumption of info. I too have been consumed by the guilt of 'if I'm not doing everything, I'm failing'. I'm def an all or nothing person, I'd love to be a moderator.
Me tooooo! Let's do it together!
I find that all or none also applies to food with the "bad" and "good" categories.
This is one of the ways I've probably cottoned on to the moderation idea earlier. I learnt a few years ago that I had attached good and bad labels to food because of how I was raised, and it had led me to be very all or nothing/binge-eating/obsessively clean eating etc. As I learnt more about nutrition and diet culture and what is actually good for our bodies versus what we're told is good (for being skinny, not feeling well) and saw how it affected people I love, I really leaned into the moderation and found a much better relationship with food. Not perfect, but better.
Your post today reminded me of a line on a party invitation I once received: 'Bring whatever you want to consume or be consumed by'. Great topic, and I'm looking forward to seeing how you develop it.
Ha! I love that! And it's also bang-on. Can't wait to see where we go this term. There's already so many great points and suggestions.
Very much excited and on board with this topic as always. I think of *information.* It is an area that tends to leave me with *frazzled* feelings - as an extremely curious person, I want to read all the things. I know that’s not possible. But the tabs of articles I leave open to read say otherwise. The daily (often multiple) emails from news organizations (forget emails about sales, anyone else unsubscribe and still get emails!?), is what gets me.
By leaving them open, I’ll get to them “eventually” and then feel like I have to read them and so on and so on.
I don’t have social media - was never a fan of it as a kid, teenager and especially now as an adult. I always say “my articles” are my social media. I see how my time can get caught up reading and consuming all this info and while sometimes I do allow myself to do it, other times it feels like I’m checking it off a list.
This was a long one! The thought of it consumed me… (just kidding, couldn’t resist). Thanks for reading 😬 and looking forward to this next topic.
Thanks so much for sharing this, Julianna. The amount of information we're being served is really overwhelming, and when we're able to convince ourselves it's a positive thing — because we care, because we're curious, because we want to be well-informed citizens — it can be a really difficult thing to overcome. (And yes to the sales emails that just don't quit, even when I unsubscribe from them!)
There's a learning approach that I think of a lot, and has helped me somewhat in trying to keep a lid on the "just in case" learning that I often do. And it's about flipping that on its head and trying "just in time" learning instead. So rather than learning about all the things because it makes us feel well-informed, we seek out the information as we need it. So if we're going to vote, for example, rather than try to keep on top of the campaign and policies and mud-slinging for months, we can decide what our values are, and look at the policies of the parties in the days before election day. I like it because we can still remain informed, without being overwhelmed, and ultimately our decisions will be the same. I think I might like to write about this actually, so thank you for the prompt!!
ooh i love this, learn about it when the need arises rather than trying to be across all the things all the time= broken brain
100% I learnt about it years ago when I was just getting started in podcasting, and it was helpful in a professional development kind of way (i.e. learn the new task as I need to), but I'd somehow never put it to use in a broader sense until recently and I think it might be really helpful. Glad it resonated with you too, because broken brain is no fun AT ALL
it seems so obvious, yet it never occured to me.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Brooke!
You got it spot on - I want to be well informed because I care and want to learn but it gets to a point where the rate is a bit too much (including the sales emails… who do I write to remain unsubscribed?!)
Thank you for sharing that learning approach. I definitely subscribe to the “just in case” (hence all the tabs) but will definitely give the “just in time”
mindset a whirl. Broken brain really isn’t fun… especially when we all have demanding lives and jobs and roles etc. etc. whatever it may be. I am working on being more intentional with my time so this new approach is most welcome. Dare I say, it came just in time… 😬
Excited for your writing prompt on this!
I also get consumed by information. I find so many things fascinating! My ‘to read’ list is already long enough to last a lifetime. But I’m starting to try and think about do I want to read it or do I feel like I should read it? But then I also think, it’s only 5min, what could one more article hurt? 😂 I’m also worried that only reading what I enjoy will risk me falling into only seeking out information that fits my beliefs and the assumptions and closed mindedness that that can create, which scares me a little.
Hear hear to all you’ve shared and written! I couldn’t agree more. It is important to be aware of what and how you’re consuming, with an understanding and open mind.
I’m also currently trying to speed read, but I’m sure ‘less inputs’ is the solution and not ‘consume more faster’ 😂
😆😆 I get it! I often fall into the trap of thinking about only the time it's taking up, rather than the headspace.
Excited to learn & think alongside you. Have recently finished reading ‘stolen focus’ and since removed all 1051 people I follow on Instagram, to reset, and see if I can experiment up from 1 to…… a sustainable number of accounts (people) to follow (keep genuinely engaged with). Who knows what this will look like. A very fitting theme to be considering. Consumption. Also loved
the definition exploration & declaration.
I love this experiment Shaya! You'll have to keep us informed of how it goes. Building from the ground up to see what social media might look like when we're super intentional with it. So cool!
I had to return Stolen Focus because I was consuming too many other things! It was recommended to me by a good friend who deleted her Instagram account. I thought it would limit our connection, but it made us more mindful about creating time for one another. Actual phone calls...image.
Love how the unexpected emerged from your friends decision ~ how great is a good phone call with a good friend? Soul food.🤍
Is that book "Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention— and How to Think Deeply Again"? Might give it a read.
I haven't read it yet but have heard a lot of really good things about it.
Hiya Nicole. Yes, it is!
In an honest and simple way it has updated & educated my outlook on technology (life changes/choices an unanticipated additional benefit).
I don’t always find books of this kind useful or enjoyable….. but if I may share a humble opinion… I found it to be a goodie.
Love to hear what you think if you do pick it up 😌
Welcome back Brooke x
For me it brings up the issue around engaging with the topic like consumption and reviewing it within our unique set of circumstances. Not trying to implement a set of rules compiled by others rather considering the merits of ideas and concepts and then applying ones that fit with me now. Like the idea of what do I need to live well in my current circumstances.
Yes! 100% Jan! I don't think there is a set of rules of guidelines that could fit everyone simply because we all have different values and priorities and circumstances (and these things change over time too). Maybe learning how to identify our priorities and then acknowledging that we will be able to make imperfect changes within that might be a good place to begin? And hopefully one that feels do-able rather than overwhelming. So excited to dig in.
Brooke, I wrote about something similar in my last two posts, about wanting to live a simpler life with more time for creativity but trying to do it all … and failing. Learning to accept my limits as good enough is a lifelong lesson.
I'm right there with you Monique! As much as we're all deeply caring people who want to do good in the world, it can be hard to acknowledge that our efforts will always "fall short". I guess a way forward might be to remove the idea of falling short altogether? (Easier said than done, I know!)
Does it all come down to balance and boundaries? Sometimes I have to remember that I get to choose what I want to do and consume. I don't have to do what social media pushes me to do. Very powerful!
Perhaps that’s the boundary-remembering that you get to choose. It’s so liberating when you do it. 🌸
In reflecting on your ideas, thoughts and feelings about consumption Brooke, I agree wholeheartedly. It sent me down a path of researching and I discovered Author and artist Jenny Odell. A review of her book “Saving Time” ( which I haven’t read yet), inspires us to think about how we can resist and rebel the concept of time is money…consumption and consumerism. Instead thinking about nature’s time…looking up instead of at our phones and cultivating simple acts of awareness. I love this quote from Jenny Odell; “ Modernity has pulled us out of synch with nature and the needs of our bodies; it has depleted our inner and outer worlds.”
So much to contemplate…
That sounds like a really interesting read Cathy - thanks for mentioning it! And I agree that this excessive consumption has definitely warped our experience of time. I like the idea of reclaiming some of that by changing what we pay attention to. 💚💚
I’ve been thinking a lot about consuming too - I feel like for me consumption is a more passive and less mindful activity when it comes to media and shopping and the like. I’m trying to limit what I consider pure consuming in lieu of experiencing things. Like consuming feels like buying clothes, experiencing feels like wearing and styling them. Social media feels like consuming, maybe reading feels like experiencing? I’m not sure yet!
Oh, I like this way of differentiating them. There is definitely an element of mindlessness to what I see as consumption, like we're being driven to or manipulated to do it, rather than actively making the choice. And I can see how truly getting enjoyment from some of the things we consume — books, clothes that boost our confidence, experiences — can make this less a good vs bad thing, and more of a mindful vs mindless thing. There's definitely something there worth exploring! 💚
I think I put consuming in the "bad" category. I am not sure that's fair.
I definitely have been too, but I think it’s just about a balance for me. Making sure I’m also ‘in the real world’ and doing hard things and being bored sometimes.
Oh man, yes! Bored and uncomfortable and doing hard things - so important and so under-rated. Also, I think so much of what we're driven to consume is sold to us as a solution to boredom, discomfort or challenges. But I don't think smoothing the way all the time is good for us.
I have probably slipped into that mindset too, but like what Jennifer said a lot about differentiating between mindful and mindless consumption of things. It might be a way forward that isn't as guilt-inducing?
Yes I think the mindfulness and intention too goes a long way to consuming in a more positive less guilty way for me. I try to stay away from algorithms and targeted ads because I feel like they are the antithesis of mindful consumption! And the intention bit helps with the guilt. I’m a massive overthinker and have been pretty plagued the last few years in figuring out how to live more in line with my values and also navigating early motherhood. It’s been a wild ride and I’ve found I have spent a lot of time overthinking and it’s exhausting. And on what seem like such unimportant things like my wardrobe. I now feel like I’m at a place where I have certain guidelines that I try my best to follow, like always looking for a second hand option first, but being flexible that sometimes that’s just not practical. I then take solace that I’ve tried but I don’t need to be perfect. It’s still a work in progress!
Hi Brooke and Tortoises…there is certainly a lot in this post and this topic. On the aspect of information I am always trying to find a balance. I subscribe to a few magazines and a weekly newspaper as well as supporting another newspaper and 2 Substack newsletters-them feel pressure to get the value out of them-not to mentioned free newsletter and websites !!!
As for podcasts, I once had so many in queue that I could have flown to the UK and back and still not finished them!!! 😂😅
I am trying to reduce the need to listen to every episode of every podcast.
I have also had some burnout around the ‘war on waste’ and ended up with clutter around the house because I wasn’t throwing anything out…looking forward to where we are heading with this.
Love your work.
Oh yes I hear you! I used to have hundreds of podcast episodes queued up. Now I have none. 😆 Or if I do, I wouldn't know where to find them. And that's been such a relief. When I want to listen to something, I go and look for it, but I no longer feel like I need to listen to every episode of the shows I like. It's a nice reprieve!
And RE the whole war on waste thing and the inadvertent clutter that comes with it - I'm right there with you! I'll definitely be writing about that this term as I think it's a huge obstacle for a lot of us who want to do the 'right' thing, but get overwhelmed at the number of decisions and actions that involves. 💚
Welcome back Brooke! I think that this topic of consumption is very timely. I think it's crucial to discuss and look at it in our own lives. I identified with your guilt about bringing plastic into the house. My son is very disappointed with Patagonia for continuing to make clothes out of recycled plastic. He narrowed down his wardrobe to only wearing only cotton and wool. Once you open your eyes to consumption and the environmental impact, it can be paralyzing. I loved the idea of being kind and gentler with ourselves. Otherwise, it makes it impossible to eat or shop! I am thrilled that we are going to discuss this together.
Thanks Blythe! It's wonderful to be back! And I think your son's example is such a good one to highlight. Finding the actions we can take, and then taking them, is so much more empowering than getting overwhelmed by all the ways things aren't perfect. I have spent years in the weeds of overthinking my every decision, and finding a kinder, gentler way forward (I hope) will be a way to bring more people along. Plus, I just don't have the capacity to micro-manage every single food/clothing decision any more. 😆💚