Sustainable Minimalists

10 Secrets of Successful Declutterers There’s a big difference between declutterers and *successful* declutterers. In fact, a lot of time, effort, and intention goes into creating (and maintaining!) a tidy home. This week, I divulge 10 minimalist secrets that keep my living space decluttered. I’m hopeful the 10 tips will help you, too, as you consider both how to best create your version of a minimalist home and maintain your tidy spaces for the long haul. Here’s a... Read More Read More The post 10 Secrets of Successful Declutterers appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How to support local businesses in 2021 When it comes to purchasing possibilities, the world may indeed be flat. But committing to buying from within a 400-ish mile radius will support local businesses, keep your wealth in your own community, and increase the prosperity of your neighbors (not corporate CEOs). Need more motivation? Here are 3 additional benefits to local buying: 1. Reduced shipment-related emissions 2. Encouraged interaction with others (and expanded neighborhood spheres!) 3. Increased awareness of available community... Read More Read More The post Eat, Drink, Shop & Support Local Businesses appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Foraging 101 [A Note from Stephanie: This episode is the second in a series that highlights attainable steps toward self-sufficiency. I hope the episodes in this series inspires you to adopt a fun, new hobby that also happens to be eco-friendly!] I’m Armenian. Each summer as a child, my mother, sister, and I would search for grape vines along the side of the road and collect leaves to make our most beloved ethnic food: dolma. Once we found... Read More Read More The post Self-Sufficiency Spotlight: Foraging 101 appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Discussing the Effects of Climate Change (Without Discussing Politics) Unfortunately, climate change and its effects are polarized topics in today’s hyper-political environment. And although climate change is considered by many to be a partisan issue, it shouldn’t be, because the environment is for everyone, regardless of political affiliation, socioeconomic status, or skin color. And while journalism has tremendous influence on public understanding, the sad reality is that the media is not adequately educating about the effects of climate change.... Read More Read More The post How to Discuss the Effects of Climate Change appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why biodiversity is important Biodiversity is the result of billions of years of evolution into an intricate balancing act that can best be described as the web of life. When one species is lost, such loss threatens survival of countless others. This week I speak with Christianne Close, Global Practice Leader at the World Wildlife Fund. We discuss WWF’s Living Planet Index, a new report that puts numbers behind the rapid and unprecedented rates of population loss across the... Read More Read More The post Biodiversity is Declining. Here’s Why that’s Important appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How to Become a Minimalist this School Year I’ve always harbored mixed feelings about September. On one hand, it’s the end of summer (boo). But on the other, September ushers in both a literal and a figurative change in the air. Our kids head back to school, and there’s the opportunity to re-introduce routines after months of laid-back living. September is the perfect opportunity to both recenter and become a minimalist with intentional choices. And while January is often... Read More Read More The post Challenge Alert! Become a Minimalist this September appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ethical Alternatives to Amazon Shoppers adore Amazon, and it’s all thanks to convenience and price: The site’s Subscribe & Save feature lowers already quite low prices. And ultra-speedy shipping and responsive customer service? Many consumers have come to expect such heightened levels of convenience when shopping online. But Amazon has been in the news an awful lot in the past 5 years, and for less than stellar reasons. A growing subset of shoppers seek ethical online alternatives because Amazon... Read More Read More The post Ethical Alternatives to Amazon (and How to Support Them) appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Self Sufficiency Spotlight: Microgreens [A Note from Stephanie: This episode is the first in a series that highlights attainable steps toward self-sufficiency. Once per month through December, the series offers a short and sweet interview to introduce you to an aspect of sustainability you may not have considered before. I hope the series will inspire you to adopt a fun, new hobby that also happens to be eco-friendly!] Chances are you’ve heard of microgreens before (or perhaps noticed restaurants tout... Read More Read More The post Self Sufficiency Spotlight: Microgreens appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Americans are obsessed with lawns. In a perfect world, your grass is vibrant green. There’s nary a weed, and there are certainly no dandelions. It’s lush and neatly edged; yard care consists of trimming to exactly an inch and a half tall. But in order to achieve this idyllic lawn, you must be willing to shell out either money or time, despite the fact that there are other things you’d likely rather spend your money on and other things you’d... Read More Read More The post 10 Eco-Friendly Yard Care Rules appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

5 Facts About the Global Water Crisis Ever wonder how many gallons it takes to flush your toilet? (Answer: 3.5.) Did you know that 55 gallons of water are required to grow the beans for a single cup of coffee? Today’s show is dedicated to our most important—and our most overlooked—resource: Water. Despite easy access from faucets and showers, access to clean water is a privilege. Water scarcity is driven by two phenomena happening at once: Humans are using more... Read More Read More The post 5 Facts About the Global Water Crisis appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How to Declutter Your Home without Trashing the Planet Many minimalist influencers trademark decluttering plans to show you how, exactly, to declutter your home. The most well-known? Marie Kondo’s Konmari method, of course. But what if you desire to declutter without sending items that no longer “spark joy” to the landfill? And while possessions that are broken or obsolete will inevitably be trashed, sustainable minimalists work tirelessly to send as little to the landfill as possible throughout the duration of... Read More Read More The post How to Declutter Your Home without Trashing the Planet appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

5 New Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Waste Plastic waste is everywhere, am I right? (Hey there, plastic-wrapped cucumber!). If you’ve ever looked around and wondered why on Earth everything is wrapped in plastic—and if you’ve wondered whether such overreliance on a single-use product derived from fossil fuels is completely contradictory to common sense—you aren’t alone. Here’s the answer. Because plastic production requires fossil fuels, fossil fuel companies are investing billions of dollars into new plastic production facilities (source).... Read More Read More The post 5 New Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Waste appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Minimalist Parenting Guidance for Raising Good Humans Parenting is hard; parenting during a pandemic is even harder. Still, guidance experts argue that raising children with both sanity and joy is possible. If you feel like you’re always on—and if you’re utterly exhausted—know that it’s A-OK to be minimalist in your parenting strategy, because doing less fosters resilience. My guest this week is nationally renowned parenting expert and mentor Sue Groner. Sue is on the show to discern what kids actually... Read More Read More The post Raising Good Humans with Minimalist Parenting Guidance appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How to Buy Nothing By Joining a Gift Economy Have you ever heard the popular saying, “Nothing in life is free”? Thanks to Buy Nothing groups, this platitude isn’t *exactly* true. Gifting has been around for almost as long as humans, and such economies rely on relationships—not personal gain—to spread love and share resources. And although market economies have pushed gifting aside in recent centuries, gifting is making a comeback in a big way. The benefits of Buy Nothing groups... Read More Read More The post How to Buy Nothing By Embracing the Gift Economy appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Advanced Simple Living Tips for Seasoned Minimalists Simple living is a lifestyle that refuses to accept busy and harried as normal. Instead, intentionality is about removing unnecessary conflicts, excessive to-do items, and pointless distractions as a means of experiencing all life has to offer. But if you Google “how to live slow” (or some facsimile thereof), you will likely see the same strategies touted over and over: Turn your phone off. Walk in nature. Read. And while these strategies offer solid starting... Read More Read More The post Advanced Simple Living Tips for Seasoned Minimalists appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

5 Facts Carbon Footprint Facts You Likely Didn’t Know Carbon footprints are confusing. What’s a carbon footprint, exactly, and how is yours related to climate change? Carbon footprints are a handy-dandy metric that makes clear how severely your lifestyle impacts the planet. Your diet, travel habits, and your home’s cooling and heating practices are just some lifestyle considerations that may increase (or decrease!) your unique footprint. If you live in the United States or another developed country, your... Read More Read More The post 5 Carbon Footprint Facts You Likely Didn’t Know appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Eco-Conscious Gifts for New Parents (That Are Actually Helpful) Are you always on the hunt for gifts for new parents, but often feel as though you’re coming up short? OR do you plan to become a new parent someday but find it difficult – if not downright impossible – to distinguish true needs amidst all the hype? It’s time to discern new baby Must-Haves from Don’t-Needs, once and for all. On this week’s episode, I’m thrilled to replace... Read More Read More The post Eco-Conscious Gifts for New Parents (That Are Actually Helpful) appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How to Simplify (and Green-ify!) Housework Laundry, dishes, and general home cleaning: Mundane housework got you down? Sustainable minimalism is about doing less and living more. The good news? It’s entirely possible to apply the tenets of sustainable minimalism to housework by simplifying tasks, minimizing magnitude and -finally! – incorporating incremental eco-friendliness to our efforts. On this week’s episode, I offer dozens of tips and tricks to simplify (and green-ify!) our laundry, dishes, and general housework routines so that you... Read More Read More The post Housework Woes: How to Simplify (& Green-ify!) Common Chores appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How to Save Money Like a Minimalist The minimalist lifestyle often centers itself around possessions. Yet how we spend our money – what we choose to buy and how long we must work to make purchases – matters, as the tenets of minimalism uniquely lend themselves to finances. Indeed, simplified money matters can reduce stress, contribute to savings goals, and increase free time. On today’s show I speak with Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), author, and fellow minimalist Dawn Starks.... Read More Read More The post How to Save Money Like A Minimalist appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Environmental racism occurs every day and all over the globe. Worse, it rarely receives the media attention it deserves. In the United States, African Americans are more likely to live near toxic waste facilities and breathe polluted air. Their communities are less likely to receive adequate protection to prevent disasters and – when disasters do occur – they are less likely to receive an immediate, comprehensive response. We don’t have to look far to find instances of environmental racism all over... Read More Read More The post 5 Ways to Stand Up to Environmental Racism appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

COVID-19 has forced many of us to look critically at consumerist culture for perhaps the first time. If you don’t like what you see, you aren’t alone. Although anti-consumerism is countercultural, it isn’t uncommon. Proponents argue that breaking free from the purchasing hamster wheel ushers in financial freedom; it provides clarity around what’s *actually* important, too. My guest this week is Aleah Mohammed. Aleah had an ‘a-ha’ moment as she took out the trash; she committed herself to a no-new-purchases... Read More Read More The post 3 Steps to Becoming an Anti-Consumer appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Summer is all about living the simple life, with extended bedtimes, spur-of-the-moment jaunts, and a general commitment to squeezing out every last frills-free moment in the sunshine. But thanks to unnecessary purchases, chemical-laden sunscreen and bug repellent, and unsustainable vacations that create excessive carbon emissions, our summer celebrations may harm the planet. The good news is it’s entirely possible to enjoy a simple and eco-friendly summer. On this week’s episode we are discussing practical ways to tweak our summer... Read More Read More The post How Sustainable Minimalists Do Summer appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The best online thrifting stores Prefer vintage? Love designer? If you have a distinct style – or if you simply prefer new clothes! – you may assume that thrifting couldn’t possibly be for you. But thanks to 5 of the best online thrifting stores, secondhand shopping makes thrifting for unique styles, shapes, and price ranges accessible for all of us. Corporations have fed us the false truth that new is best. Capitalist societies flourish when consumers constantly buy, but purchasing... Read More Read More The post How to Embrace Secondhand With The Best Online Thrifting Stores appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

5 Unique Ways to be Frugal Without Being Cheap Pennypincher. Tightwad. Cheapskate. Under normal circumstances, public opinion tends to shun frugality. But frugality has been reborn, so to speak, thanks to the novel Coronavirus pandemic. Many are wasting less food and experimenting with gardening. Others are making conscious efforts to send less to the landfill by reusing, repurposing, and rethinking waste culture. Thrifty behaviors aren’t worthy of the side-eye anymore. Instead, the opposite is true: during a pandemic, frugality is smart. Thriftiness... Read More Read More The post 5 Ways to be Frugal Without Being Cheap appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Work From Home Tips (Konmari Homeschool Ideas, too!) Quarantined in a small space with a big family? Establishing spaces within our homes that work for everyone, including the work from home professionals, the homeschooled kids, and the adults in charge of keeping All. The. Clutter. under control maintains cohesion and reduces family tension. My guest this week is minimalist and Konmari consultant Jessica Yatrofsky. Jessica presents practical tidying tips for quarantine and always, including reasons why picking up at... Read More Read More The post Homeschool & Work From Home Konmari Tips appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Fair Trade, Certified B and More Ever wonder what the Fair Trade label on products *really* means? How about that elusive Certified B Corp distinction? “All-natural”, “fat-free”, and “non-toxic” are blanket marketing statements that have no real meaning. But third party certifications? Their distinct logos distinguish the best from the rest. Yet while certifications are meant to give consumers confidence, it can be difficult to understand what all the different labels stand for. On today’s show I break down... Read More Read More The post Fair Trade, Certified B and More: The 3rd Party Labels You Need to Know appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Your Sustainability Questions, Answered Many listeners write to me with compliments and criticisms; occasionally, listeners reach out with questions, too. I collected some of the most pressing queries from both personal messages and public ones in the show’s closed Facebook group. On this week’s episode I answer 5 of the most common sustainability questions you listeners have asked me. Here’s a preview of today’s show: [1:40] Why are silicone products preferable to plastic ones? [4:11] Why has plastic become so popular?... Read More Read More The post Your Sustainability Questions, Answered appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Los Angeles boasts clear, smog-free skies. Passerby on New York City’s busiest avenues enjoy the sounds of chirping birds. And in Venice? Fish are visible in the city’s once-murky canals. In some ways, the COVID-19 pandemic has done wonders for the health of our planet. But in others? For many of us, sticking to our zero waste lifestyle goals feels nearly impossible. The reason is twofold. First, many of us experience the tug and pull of purchasing more than we... Read More Read More The post 9 Zero Waste Lifestyle Tips During Quarantine appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What’s a menstrual cup? (And other zero-waste period queries) Ever find yourself wondering what a menstrual cup is, exactly? Want to zero-wastify your monthly cycle but don’t know how? The average woman uses 22 disposable tampons or pads per cycle, or 264 products per year. Assuming a woman menstruates for 35 years, she will throw away a whopping 9,240 single-use menstrual products in her lifetime. On this week’s episode I identify six (amazing) reusable menstrual products on the market... Read More Read More The post What’s a Menstrual Cup? (& Other ZW Period Queries) appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Slow Homes, Climate Change, and Coronavirus Cornoavirus has forced one in four people worldwide into social isolation; indeed, slow homes have replaced on-the-go living for weeks to come. But what are the implications of forced slowness on reluctant mothers, and how is social isolation impacting the planet? On this week’s episode we examine Coronavirus’s implications by considering long-term effects. Although online content covers small picture issues – like how to keep children entertained despite social distancing and how to become... Read More Read More The post Slow Homes, Climate Change, and Coronavirus appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why is it so hard to find clean beauty products? Got clean beauty? If you’re like most American women, the answer is (probably) no. Each day, the average woman slathers on twelve beauty products (or over 100 unregulated chemicals!). Beauty brands use the term “clean” to highlight products without controversial ingredients. But without regulation, virtually any product can label itself clean without consequence. “Clean” therefore becomes just another marketing descriptor that corporations smack on product labels to catch consumers’... Read More Read More The post Your Conclusive Clean Beauty Guide appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tackle Family Clutter with Heat Maps Many tidying techniques promise to keep down family clutter. One of the simplest and most creative of these techniques is heat mapping, which identifies problem areas within the home. A heat map represents values with colors, and heat mapping for clutter works because the practice yields data. If you were to heat map your living space, which rooms would be labeled red? On this week’s episode I interview fellow blogger and podcaster... Read More Read More The post How to Tackle Family Clutter by Heat Mapping appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When Overspending on Luxury Backfires Many financially-able consumers commit to overspending on designer purchases. Because luxury goods by nature are both pricey and in high-demand, such possessions communicate status and prestige. Then there’s our biology: evolution reinforces comparing and competing. In the age of social media we post fancy photos of ourselves doing fancy things as a way to prove we, too, are as worthy as our peers. But while consumers assume investing in designer items will result in... Read More Read More The post When Overspending Backfires appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever wondered what seasoned minimalists do on the weekend? Here’s a top-secret minimalist tip: It isn’t all rest and relaxation. While minimalists believe simplicity is important – and while Sunday is indeed *the* day to rest – minimalists also know it’s prudent to spend weekends quietly preparing for the upcoming week. On this week’s show I’m thrilled to offer 8 minimalist tips that mitigate weekday mania and usher in easy-breezy simplicity during the workweek. My suggestions aren’t overly... Read More Read More The post How Minimalists Spend their Sundays: 8 Tips appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Microplastic Pollution: Everything you Need to Know These days, microplastic pollution is everywhere. It isn’t hyperbole: Scientists find plastic everywhere they look for it. Microplastics pollute our oceans; they reside in the bellies of animals, too. And plastics are also in humans: A 2019 study concluded that we consume a credit card’s-worth of plastic each week, on average. When we examine the scope of the microplastics problem – when we understand fully that plastic has invaded every nook and... Read More Read More The post The Nitty-Gritty Behind Microplastic Pollution appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

5 Tricks to Help You Buy Less Stuff If you often make impulse purchases you end up regretting later, you can thank The Itch. The Itch is that feeling that blinds our better judgement when we see an item we really, really want. The Itch is cunning: It goads us into throwing caution to the wind and buying whatever the fancy item may be. Despite all we know about conscious consumerism, it’s natural for you and me to experience... Read More Read More The post 5 Tricks to Help You Buy Less Stuff appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tips on Decluttering 6 Oft-Forgotten Areas You decluttered. You’ve tidied. You organized what’s left, and now you’re exhausted. But still – to your chagrin! – you realize the work’s not *quite* complete. It happens to the best of us: In the throes of decluttering, we overlook specific spaces that demand our attention. My guest this week is blogger, YouTuber, and decluttering expert Shannon Torrens. Shannon is on the show to identity the 6 areas we tend to overlook on our journeys... Read More Read More The post Tips on Decluttering 6 Oft-Forgotten Areas appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In order to make fabric, you need thread. And to make thread? You need fibers. But what are eco friendly fibers, exactly, and why are they important? Textile corporations intentionally shadow their manufacturing processes from the public; they obscure their garment labels with hard-to-understand terms, too. I believe this obfuscation is intentional: Because we consumers are confused, we give up on attempting to comprehend the ins and outs of one of the most environmentally destructive industries in the world. On... Read More Read More The post What are Eco Friendly Fibers, Really? appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Less is more, and not just with possessions: A minimalist lifestyle decreases stress and increases peace of mind. Many of us could benefit from intentional lifestyle tweaks that prioritize free time, reduce financial stress and curate fulfilling relationships. The single-best way to accomplish all these (lofty) tasks? Simplify wherever possible. On today’s show I’m thrilled to offer 6 minimalist lifestyle tips that emphasize time management, tweak finances and manage interpersonal relationships with simplicity in mind. I explain the 50-50 approach to showing... Read More Read More The post 6 Minimalist Lifestyle Tips for Overarching Simplicity appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are you concerned you have an unhealthy attachment to stuff? Do you worry for a loved one who has trouble letting possessions go? Hoarding Disorder isn’t necessarily all piles and pathways; in real life, hoarding can look much different than the extremes highlighted on television. There’s a fine line between a cluttered household versus a hoarding household and – for many of us – pinning down the difference feels slippery. On this week’s show I’m speaking with social worker, hoarding... Read More Read More The post Cluttered vs. Hoarding: What’s the Difference? appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Greenwashing Examples: Have you Been Duped? Eco-friendliness is hot right now. It’s in. But marketing teams have their fingers on the pulse and know that consumers increasingly demand green products. So they tout misleading claims to sound more eco-friendly than they actually are to – you guessed it! – make a profit. It’s called greenwashing, and consumers are being duped by greenwashing examples including innuendos, imagery and outright lies Every. Single. Day. Corporations want us to believe we can buy... Read More Read More The post Greenwashing Examples: Have you Been Duped? appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ever wondered where Goodwill donations really go? Our society craves what’s shiny and what’s new. We toss broken stuff without bothering to repair it; we donate perfectly good stuff to make room in our homes for newer, sleeker models, too. Between 1967 and 2017, the amount Americans spent annually on stuff increased nearly twenty-fold. And while some items will be recycled into new goods or given to others in need, the vast majority of our unwanted stuff is destined for... Read More Read More The post Donating’s Dark Side: Where Do Goodwill Donations Go? appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Eco-friendly communities drive big ideas Few would object: Kinship is important. Humans are evolutionarily designed to live alongside others; eco-friendly communities facilitate the sharing of resources, too. Still, many of us have minimal – (if any!) – contact with our neighbors. And although we may quite physically live within a community, so many of us feel isolated. My guest today argues that close-knit groups are important for another reason: When it comes to sustainability, eco-friendly communities share ideas, encourage... Read More Read More The post Eco-Friendly Communities & Why We Need Each Other appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Green buying and Overconsumption Ever buy on impulse? If so, you know those feel-good endorphins after handing over your credit card are real.Is it safe to assume, then, that shopping makes us happier? Where does green buying fit in? On today’s episode my guest and I explore the connections between materialism, green buying and lasting life satisfaction. Dr. Sabrina Helm is an associate professor at the University of Arizona whose research interests include climate change and overconsumption. Her recent study into the... Read More Read More The post Does Green Buying Make Us Happier? appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In-store or Online Shopping: Which is Better for the Planet? Every year, 165 billion packages are shipped in the United States. Does this figure seem staggering? It should. Because all these packages generate enough cardboard to equal more than 1 billion trees. Online shopping isn’t going anywhere; in fact, e-commerce sales are expected to double in the next decade. This week, I tackle both the environmental advantages as well as the disadvantages to our collective online shopping habit. (You may... Read More Read More The post In-store or Online Shopping: Which is Better for the Planet? appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Declutter tips for *before* the holidays The holidays are coming, and you know what that means: Stuff, stress, and more stuff. Enacting simple declutter tips enable you to create space in our homes, heads and hearts so that we may usher in the festivities with open arms. My guest this week is blogger Rebecca Benson. Rebecca is on the show to identify 5 very specific spaces to tackle this instant including the gift wrap bin, the medicine closet and more.... Read More Read More The post 5 (Essential) Spaces to Declutter Before Christmas appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

(Anti) Black Friday 2020 What are you doing on Black Friday? Will you elbow your way through crowds of fellow consumers in hopes of scoring an epic Black Friday-only deal, or are you curious about enjoying a different kind of day? I’ll never forget the first (and only) time I participated in Black Friday festivities. I woke up early—too early, if I’m honest—and stood in a line that snaked around the side of a big box store. It was... Read More Read More The post (Anti)-Black Friday 2020 for Sustainable Minimalists appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s cliche but true: Our children are always watching. As eco-conscious parents, we consistently lead by example on the ‘big’ actions (reducing air travel, cooking plant-based meals) as well as on the small stuff, too (repurposing water, line-drying clothes). We assume that – because our kids are always observing our behavior – they’ll naturally pick up on our low-waste, environmental ideals. And while it’s certainly true that our children are watching us, it’s also true that they are learning from... Read More Read More The post How to Raise Eco-Conscious Kids appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is it me, or do we often forget self-care during the holidays? For better or worse, the holiday craze starts on November first. Christmas commercials inundate our favorite television programming. Christmas trees abound in stores. Holiday “sales” entice us here, there and everywhere. In November, it often feels as though being busy – and being stressed – is expected. But the weather is cooling; it’s darker earlier, too. It’s natural for you and me to desire a slower pace and... Read More Read More The post Less is More! Practical Self-Care During the Holidays appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

They’re nearly here: the holidays. And with ethical gift giving on the rise, it’s no surprise that discerning shoppers aspire to support sustainability with their dollars. But how, exactly, to give ethically? Although shoppers are becoming more brand conscious + 1 in 5 Gen Z’ers are taking extra steps to shop with intention, confusion abounds over what ethical gift giving really means. The Ethical Hierarchy of Gift Purchasing makes reminds us that the bulk of the gifts we give should be... Read More Read More The post Ethical Gift Giving for You & Me appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.