Things I Don’t Ever Buy + What I Use Instead

The Squishy Monster, July 30, 2018

I’ve been a minimalist since before it was a trending hashtag. It was just the way of life in our family. We didn’t grow up with much and had to make do with what we had. This turned me into a resourceful adult and today, it’s just second nature. It aligns with my love for Mother Earth and understanding the great costs that can come at her expense. If you’re just starting on your minimalist journey or want to learn more, I created posts on 7 tips for minimalism and how to minimize waste.

Straws (or any one time use plastics or paper for that matter). Bottles like hydro flasks keep my smoothies cool at the beach while gigantic bpa-free reusable water bottles keep me hydrated all day. Silicone baking liners instead of parchment paper are wonderfully efficient and glass or metal straws are used instead of disposable ones.

No fast fashion (trendy clothes or decor) just pieces I know will endure. I pretty much own 5 or 6 outfits that I rotate as need be. A decade ago, I would have shuddered at the thought of this but despite what the media and fashion industries tell you, you don’t need the latest fashion accessories. Often, the production of this comes at a steep cost {not just to the environment but to human welfare} and that alone made me reconsider this.

Facial Products: products that I apply directly to my skin were one of the very first things I “cleaned up” when purging out toxic chemicals in my life. It is our largest organ and we absorb so much of it into our bloodstream. I have an entire dedicated video playlist and section for my own DIY recipes that are much better for both you and the environment.

Deodorant: I use this homemade deodorant instead. Keep in mind that your body will experience a detox of all the conventional buildup for a couple months before it adjusts to this cleaner homemade version. It has now gotten to the point where I only need the tiniest amount.

Physical media: it’s almost become a novelty in terms of cost, space, and environmental damage. Consider a curated collection to cut cost and space if you must. I’ve converted all if not most of my physical media into digital copies, minus a few of my ancient books.

Household cleaners: I either use castile soap or vinegar for most surfaces and diluted bleach for heavier jobs. I replaced all of my paper products with reusable ones but sometimes, it’s just rags from old t-shirts and the like.

Small changes like storing leftovers in reusable containers instead of plastic zip bags, switching to loose leaf tea, taking your own mug to the coffee shop or replacing cotton pads for a biodegradable konjac sponge are just a few examples of cutting down on monthly purchases while being more environmentally friendly at the same time.

*Beginning in August, I will be releasing new posts every Saturday from then on. As always, you can find me daily on instagram. Let me know if you’d like me to cover any specific topics. Thank you for being here!