7 Mindful Lifestyle Changes That Make a Big Difference

I was a victim of consumerism in the past, and along with mindless consumerism came a crisis in multiple areas such as financial, psychological, emotional, and physical. Instead of the object's possessor, I was possessed by it, lacking contentment and satisfaction. Once I realized that the desire and decision to practice conscious consumption took hold.

Below are seven ways I practice mindful consumerism in my life.

1. Buy used clothing

When I am not crocheting my own clothes, I buy them from a charity shop in town. The charity shop I go to has a wonderful philosophy, and I support them because of this. I recently purchased a dress for $3, and it's one of my favorites.  

2. Choose non-toxic hobbies

I love watercolor painting, and I choose watercolor brands that contain non-toxic and non-bioreactive ingredients so I can paint with the peace of mind that I'm not hurting the environment.

3. Support environmental-friendly businesses

We vote with our dollars, so I don't feel good about spending money on a product or company whose business revolves around exploiting the environment or practicing acts of cruelty to animals. I make sure that I choose eco-friendly and cruelty-free brands to practice conscious consumption. 

4. Buy items made from recycled materials

I do my best to buy footwear made of recycled materials that leave very little to no carbon footprint so as not to harm the environment.  

5. Support small businesses 

There's a saying that small businesses are the heartbeat of your neighborhood, the spine of your local economy, and the spirit of your town. There are so many of these small businesses that need our support. I feel good about visiting family-owned restaurants and coffee shops or purchasing from local artisans.  

6. Appreciate the old

My partner and I recently celebrated our fifth anniversary, and he booked a gorgeous hotel with such a beautiful history. The villas are antique Thai houses dating back over a century, which were restored and refitted to accommodate modern amenities.

I found these houses quite lovely, and after learning that they are more than 100 years old, I appreciated them more. After years of stories and triumph and tragedy infused into them, they can be much more romantic than new things that haven't lived at all.  

7. Practice mindful consumption 

If you look at the items that we consume every day, we will come to know our nature very well. We have to eat, drink and consume, but if we do it unmindfully, we may destroy our bodies, showing ingratitude toward our ancestors, parents, and future generations.

Conscious consumption isn't just about choosing what to buy or not to buy. It also means being mindful of what we consume with our eyes and ears. Mindful consumption is good to practice when choosing TV shows or movies we watch, the things we listen to, and the activities we engage in. 

Mindful lifestyle changes

As I said, I am nowhere perfect in my walk toward conscious consumption, and I continue to make lifestyle changes so I can live as a minimalist. I can confidently say that minimalism and conscious consumption helped me to realize how my choices impact the environment, others, and myself, and that's that understanding alone is all I need to continue what I'm doing.

Let me know what you think of these mindful lifestyle changes in the comments below.