Patagonia’s recent move to commit to earth as their only shareholder really inspired me. Bold moves. Moves that shake up how we think about corporations and the frameworks in which they operate. Moves that will have large impacts on this wondrous planet we call home. I had already been experimenting with my own rebalancing with nature in what I call “the year of not buying things.”
Be More Wild Than Good
Patagonia’s announcement coincides with one of my favorite weeks in our little mountain town. Our annual fall equinox celebration.
A celebration steeped in local mythology, where altars to the earth are scattered across our community and we all celebrate striving for a more reciprocal relationship to the mountains, animals, trees, and rivers.
A community feast bookends the festivities. A feast where leaf crowns are mandatory. A time when we banish the things that no longer serve us – anger, pain, anxiety – and let in some things that do – love, hope, frivolity… I told you this town was quirky, in spectacular ways.
“Be more wild than good” are the words to live by during this celebration in our community. But I think we are striving to be both.
My reflections during these weeks are always about how I can live more with nature and raise a kid who puts the earth first. What can I say, the hippie in me runs deep.
A Year of Not Buying Things
One of the things I have been experimenting with this year is a year of not buying things. It has some loose rules, one of which is that it doesn’t apply to West… who seems to need a lot of things!
As Patagonia states, “everything we make has an impact on the planet.” And no company is working harder to lessen that impact, but every time we buy something, I see what used to be a tree, or an untouched landscape. I see it more and more. It weighs on me.
West has made for an interesting experiment in rebalancing our relationship with nature. In some ways, it feels more natural than ever. He is way more engaged in the woods or by the river than indoors with his pile of toys.
But he does need some things so here are the small ways we try to lessen the impact. And these ways are small potatoes compared to some visionaries out there making real change happen.
- Nature first. Let the outdoors be our maker of activities. Let West’s understanding of the world grow from the trees.
- Worn Wear. I know, I know, I love Patagonia. But Worn Wear is the neatest. Used Patagonia clothing. Cheaper prices, lesser impact. I relied heavily on Worn Wear, when I was pregnant. Technical outdoor maternity clothes are virtually nonexistent and it’s really cold here. I ran in oversized Worn Wear clothing my whole pregnancy. I also use it to source as much of West’s outdoor clothing as possible.
- Hand-me-downs. An obvious one!
- No plastic toys. We really like Lovevery Play Kits, which send age appropriate Montessori type toys on a schedule. They use sustainable materials.
- We try to buy few toys outside of these play kits, but when we do, I like Tender Leaf Toys and Plan Toys.
- Be informed. Sometimes we have to buy something new so when we do, I do my best to research the impact of what we buy. Lots of companies are doing their darndest to reduce their impact. For example our beloved carrier, comes from Osprey who has strong ethics around sustainability.
Small acts… a bigger purpose. I think a lot about what more we could do and I am constantly seeking inspiration and ideas. It feels like a good time to be inspired… last week Patagonia did that for me.
