Ep. 015 | Consumerism

[@mariahsmom9457]

I miss these old episodes when the show was josh and ryan. Their friendship was evident in the program and made it so warm and fun. The Minimalists!

[@KeeraRuah]

I feel the same way. It was a different energy. ❤

[@kaylasamuels]

I sew my own clothes. It makes my wardrobe more intentional and fit better. Plus, I can make sure they are sewn well and last a while.

[@RianneCtenVeen]

Wish I had the skills (and/ or the patience to learn...); well done you!

[@CiaraCorroon]

i’m thinking of learning to sew clothes too, the style of clothes i like isn’t very common and i don’t want to buy from fast fashion stores because ya know ;/

[@phoebegraveyard7225]

You also know that you aren’t contributing to the soul crushing fast fashion industry.

[@i-chiulucero9647]

The song sticks in my head all the time now. I have listen to you about few weeks. I found your podcast makes me more clam and focused. It helps a lot for my family. Thank you a lot for sharing

[@karabennetts1067]

I love the fact that you don't proclaim that you have all the answers, and instead encourage people to build a community. We'll probably find a lot of each other in very similar situations; therefore providing more relevance for individuals. Thank you for all the hard work, it's about time we thought critically and lived deliberately. So thank you again for spreading this message. x

[@DrTerezaTherapy]

Hey guys. Love the podcast. Just wanted to let you know that the prefrontal cortex really doesn't make you act based on impulses. In fact, the prefrontal cortex (the evolutionarily newer part of the brain) is actually helpful at staving off impulses and pursuing long-term goals (to put it simply, brain functions are crazy complicated). The 'reptilian brain' you mentioned would be the older part, related to more impulse-based behaviours. I study neuroscience so thought this might be helpful.;) Thanks for the work you're doing.

[@joeberenguer3267]

I get so pumped whenever I see a new podcast

[@MeghanReads]

so I'm a geek too, and over time I've amassed a huge collection of paraphernalia and comics and made a closet full of cosplay costumes for conventions. what I've accumulated is very entwined with my identity, but I let go of of a ton of low quality action figures donating most of them to my boyfriends nephew, handed out my older cosplay costumes to newer con-goers and stopped going to cons to buy and more to meet comic writers or go to panels. now when I do get something nerdy I'm not hoarding nine dollar 3 inch figures but I'll get a bombshell statuette that or a weekend at star wars weekend. It's a lot more fulfilling and I'm not running out of room because my shelves aren't overfilled with compendiums or funkos

[@MeghanReads]

Also when you see someone getting a huge kick out of a figure that was just sitting lost amongst tons of other figures it's pretty damn rewarding. I went from having 46 mcfarlanes to having . . .one. . .and giving a 36 inch darth Vader figure to a kid pretty much made my socially awkward heart melt. . . .babble

[@ChazEvansdale]

That's awesome Meggy. Glad you could declutter while bringing joy to others. :)

[@cooks128]

I still have a 12 year old 17 inch MacBook Pro that I can use for surfing the web, Netflix or lend to my kids when traveling. It’s not nearly as fast as my one year old MacBook Pro and won’t run everything but I refuse to get rid of it because it still works.

[@seasonalliving2881]

Any advice on minimalism in regards to social media. I get beyond overwhelmed when I think I'm missing out, which I know is false. It just seems like there's TOO much...Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, oh my!

[@ZenDragoonYT]

Nothing on social media is worth knowing. Its people putting up fronts of the more postive aspects of their lives and mass marketing. I cancelled all my socials last year and i dont regret it at all

[@rafanadal52]

Look up minimalist technology episode. They talk about social media in this podcast

[@thenightismyrefuge]

Listening to the toilet paper part while takin a shit. Thank you for making this shit more enjoyable :)

[@HomemakerDaze]

i take my laptop into the loo sometimes haha

[@mamakaka73]

I bought a pack of 2 paper towels 2 years ago.... maybe 3... I still have used half a roll only....

[@madelinegeiger998]

Staples office supply store and will recycle computers for you for the cost of the box they ship it in! Parts are more likely to make it back into new technology this way. Local recycling facilities have varied electronics recycling services, CALL AND ASK, they would be happy to let you know what kind of services they provide! Electronics are extremely hazardous to humans and the environment if not disposed of properly! I have my BA in Environmental Health and Safety and it has been a huge compliment to my minimalist journey because it has helped me consume and dispose of goods and materials in a environmentally and human health conscious way. Also, on the note of buying the "higher end", more expensive purchases vs. buying the least expensive thing: Be warned of PLASTICS!.. they are, in my opinion, dangerous to consume in food items, including appliances! Plastics take a chemical industrial process to make and can leach into your food. I believe sometime in 100 years plastics materials used for food products/appliances will be illegal because of their risks on human health! The amount of chemical exposure is pretty negligible from a single product, but when you consider the sum of exposures related to plastics, it can accumulate in your body. Research can not keep up with the materials created every year used in consumer goods like these. Stainless steel DOES NOT LEACH, and will not expose you to any industrial chemicals. In addition, it is much easier to clean/disinfect and SS products tend to last longer. Here are some rules that I personally go by regarding consumer items while considering how they will impact my health, the health of others and the health of the environment: Just say no to plastics! Unless it is for consumer goods such as: apple sauce, juice, ranch dressing, etc. I will stay away from plastics. Especially when these plastics are food utensils, cups, bowls, etc! BPA is only one type of plastic that has known health problems associated with it. Do not be fooled by "No BPA" labels, they can still cause harm. It is even more important to keep plastic goods away from children! Developing bodies respond to chemicals in a bigger way, and can cause behavioral and physical challenges. Instead: Go for the stainless steel/glass alternative. No leaching, longer lifespan and it keeps food and drinks colder/warmer longer. Buy gently used, clean clothing materials and fabrics New clothing can cause dermatitis because of the chemicals used in their manufacturing process. If you must by new, always wash the materials for at least two-cycles. There have been studies that show how chemicals used in new fabrics and furniture materials end up in the blood of infants and in the breast milk of new, nursing mothers. The impacts to these chemicals are similarly to plastics, largely unknown to science. Buying used is one of the best ways to avoid exposure to these chemicals. Have a zero waste travel bag Borrowing from the zero waste crowd, having a small bag of items such as: a reusable to go box, camping fork/spoon, reusable cup/mason jar/water bottle etc. can keep plastic garbage and unnecessary waste to build up in your car and home space. I rarely eat fast food, but if I go out to eat with a friend, or I want to get something to go, I am prepared. Most establishments are happy to work with your containers and some have even given me a consumer item for free. I have gotten several free cups of coffee from gas stations when I am traveling with my reusable coffee mug. Reuse glass Many foodstuffs are packaged in glass containers that are easily washable and reused. I will oftentimes buy foodstuffs, especially because of the packaging, because I know that I will use the product, and the container. In fact, currently, all of the containers and glassware I own are actually are re-purposed from old foodstuffs! For example: the glass container that held my apple juice is now my piggy bank, the container that was my jelly is now a cup and the container that held my figs is now my pencil holder. It is a fun way to reuse materials and if you find yourself not finding a good place for it, you can always recycle it. The magic of the FREE box Many times throughout my minimalist journey, I have found myself overwhelmed with stuff that I no longer need that were not recyclable and I had my questions on their ability to be resold through craigslist/ebay, garage sale, etc. In these times, I would collect all these things and put it on the curb with a "FREE" sign in front. It will depend on the neighborhood you live in, but I was always delighted how quickly things were taken off my hands. I have also taken advantage of free boxes a time or two myself.. so it was nice to let go of things as well. Anyone is free to message me if you would like to learn more about how to manage your household waste through minimalism!

[@mrdjsubz]

The first question about not buying from companies that produce overseas and have employees working in bad conditions... If we don't buy those products, those workers will lose their jobs... you may think that's good, they will be able to work in better conditions. But it's not the case, as the reason they work in sweatshops or else ware, is that is the BEST job opportunity they have in their country. American purchasing provides such a large amount of business and $ for people in these countries. Something to think about. I don't mind, as a lot of these people working have to support their families, but won't be put in jail or harmed for not working those conditions. So buying those products are helping them in some ways.

[@knightsofthevegetable4043]

PeteNinjaFocus Try thinking a little further along this storyline. These people, as with the thousands of other communities that at one point thrived off of one industry, will adapt with the changes. It might not be easy, but it's worth lessening the incredible environmental and social toll. It takes more from these people than it gives. They are unable to contribute to the growth of their own communities because they are creating things people in your own country seriously undervalue. Unfortunately, it's hard to change but that doesn't mean it shouldn't or can't happen.

[@mrdjsubz]

And it will happen if people, as a whole, decide for it to. No one will have a problem with that. Making people change through a force, aka government intervention is no bueno. Let the market dictate change.

[@jaclyn3052]

You can always donate old computers and stuff to schools and kinders and day cares for kids to play with, or to pull apart and discover things! Kids love it!

[@thedharmainitiative9008]

best buy and hhgregg both recycle used electronics. just remember to take a drill to the hard drive first.

[@thedharmainitiative9008]

also the VVA HTTP://pickup please.org

[@kiki5671]

I like your podcasts, some more than others and it's interesting to hear listener's questions and tips but the sound quality of the voicemails is terrible. I think I would prefer if they wrote to you (although it takes more effort) and you read them aloud. I don't know if it's doable but it would be more pleasant to hear

[@ChristopherEdwardsstoicmime]

#aristotle

[@maurigonzalez8191]

[@kailebrogan447]

Best buy recycles apple laptops