Don’t worry. As with any new venture, there is a period when your interest is peaked, but looking around it all seems so intimidating. Just remember that everyone has to start somewhere, & we are all allowed lapses, mistakes, & exceptions. For example, Ryan & I try to eat healthy, organic, locally grown foods, but pretty much every week we indulge in some sort of treat. This week we got cookies. & we are never the type of people to turn down a gifted treat from a friend. As far as environmentally conscious or socially conscious shopping — we are not raised in a society that values these things, & thus, we are not taught that these values are important. Also, they’re not readily available to most of us, in fact, we have to have the drive to seek them out, & the money to purchase them as they are often more expensive. Don’t feel intimidated. Even if you are only contributing a small amount, it matters.
The above link leads to the blog of a local shop owner here in Portland, who, I think, has perfectly put my sentiments on shopping consciously. Here’s my favourite part:
“What I dislike about the whole thing (the custom of ‘SALE!’, that is), is that it perpetuates the idea that price should be our sole consideration. The American consumer is so obsessed with the idea of the ‘bargain’, that the real cost of that bargain is mostly forgotten. (see this, this, and this…) Yes, as any friend of mine would confirm, one of the quickest ways to get me going is to utter the dreaded phrase ‘made in China’ or something truly oxymoronic like ‘Rodarte for Target’. What is sold as ‘accessibility’ is actually faux populism for the sake of corporate profits. Consumer choices based on principles need to be applauded, not reviled as ‘elitist’.”
Choose wisely!
