Consuming consciously two weeks at a time

Growing up I always noticed myself to be quiet conscious of world issues, accompanied by a deep desire to creative positive change and a more positive outlook in our world. I consider this one of my greatest gifts, to care so so deeply, but it does not come free of negative consequences. Lately I have found myself so entrenched in the bad in the world, feeling like I need to do everything in my power to put a stop to it all. I realized this is unfortunately not possible which left me feeling helpless thus causing me to take zero steps toward my goal. After a bit more self pity and a few heartfelt talks with my dad, I realized my passion for progression and change need to be put to use.

I realize my actions will not fix the world but my efforts can be impactful and my voice will be loud.

Last week I finished up my seconds semester of college (hell ya!!), which means my sociology 223 class (Globalization) also came to an end (not so "hell ya"). This course opened my eyes to the devastation that comes about from the labor needed to support our gross (and seemingly forever growing) consumer culture. In order to support our "need" for EVERYTHING so many people are subjected to horrific exploitation and crazy low compensation (sweatshops are not fake news!!!)

This epidemic is much deeper than the exploitation, but also goes into the environemntal impacts our consumption has, as well as the hit on our mental health caused by the preconseption of us needing to consume all these products.

This blog will document a year of me doing what I can, to be the most ethical and conscious consumer I can be. This means only buying clothing, food and other products that were produced free of the exploitation of anyone as well as making a conscious choice to make environmentally friendly choices. (What will I do without my daily & unnecessary impulse buys??!)

With the amount of crazies in the world, I am bound to eventually get messages bashing me for continuing to use pre owned items that are not fair trade, for not taking the step from vegetarianism to veganism, etc etc etc etc x100000. Being straightforward- I am not perfect nor am I trying to be. I am a 19 year old college student, living in Southern California in the 21st century. During the year I will be sharing my tips, tricks, what I find easiest, what has been the most challenging, recipes and all the extra lessons I will learn throughout.

The reason for this blog is to keep myself accountable to this commitment I made, and whatever footprint it makes on others and our world will just be an added bonus.

Starting a blog might have been the last thing I excepted to start my 2018 off with, but I am more than excited for what this bi-monthly posing will bring me, and the incredible people that I will influence through my mediocre writing, and that will influence me.

PLEASE SEND ANY AND ALL FAIR TRAID PRODUCTS/COMPANIES AS WELL AS TIPS Y'ALL MIGHT HAVE LEARNED FROM LIVING A SIMILAR LIFESTYLE. (I'm gonna need them)

I'll see ya around the farmers market,

Dalia