Revamp Your Routine for a Lighter Footprint

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Here are 2 quotes, 2 tips, and 1 question to help you build healthy habits this week.

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2 Quotes

1. "Simplify, simplify, simplify I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand." - Henry David Thoreau

    

2. “Clutter is not just physical stuff. It's old ideas, toxic relationships and bad habits—anything that does not serve your best self.” - Marie Kondo

2 Tips

1) Try a "Waste Audit" to Reduce Clutter and Boost Your Eco-Mindfulness

Why It’s Important

A waste audit helps you understand your consumption habits and shows where you can reduce waste. By knowing what you throw away, you can make eco-friendly choices that benefit both you and the planet.

Here's how to perform a waste audit:

1. Gather your tools: You'll need a notebook and pen (or use your phone if you prefer).

2. Set up categories to see where most of your waste comes from. Group your waste into the following categories:

   • Organic (food scraps etc)

   • Recyclables (paper, cardboard, aluminum etc)

   • Reusables (glass jars, donated clothings, reusable plastic containers etc)

   • Landfill waste (everything else)

3. Keep a daily log:

   • At the end of each day, write down everything you've thrown away.

   • Note which category each item belongs to.

   • Think about why you're tossing these things. Are they leftovers? Single-use plastics? Junk mail?

4. Look at your results: After a week, review your log. Which categories have the most waste? This will show you where to focus your efforts.

5. Make an action plan:

   • Reduce: Use less high-waste items. For example, switch to reusable containers instead of single-use plastics.

   • Reuse: Get creative! Old jars can become storage containers.

   • Recycle: Clean and sort your recyclables properly – check your local guidelines.

   • Compost: If you have a garden, turn food scraps into rich soil.
     

6. Keep learning: Check out "Zero Waste Home" by Bea Johnson for more ideas. You can also find more information on their blog Zero Waste Home.
   
   Remember, small changes add up over time. By doing a waste audit, you're taking a mindful step towards a more eco-friendly lifestyle. It's good for you, your wallet, and the planet!

2) Consider a Capsule Wardrobe

Why:

We all know how tough mornings can be. One way to make them easier? A capsule wardrobe! This simple idea can help you start your day with less stress and more intention. A capsule wardrobe is an interchangeable collection of clothes designed to maximize the number of outfits you can create. It's a great way to reduce decision fatigue and bring more mindfulness to your mornings.

Here are some steps to develop your capsule wardrobe.

1. A complete capsule wardrobe is made of several smaller ‘modules’. Each module includes 2 pairs of pants, 3 tops, 1 outer layer, and 1 pair of shoes. The first step is to create one module. Below is an example from themomedit.com.

2. Experiment with different combinations of clothes to find what works best for you.

3. Choose several complementary colors and timeless styles.

4. Declutter and only keep versatile pieces you love wearing.

5. Aim to create 3-4 modules. You might create two casual modules and one smart-casual or professional.

6. Modules may be seasonal and some may be in use year-round.

7. Items, like shoes and jackets, may be used across multiple modules.

8. Update or swap out your modules to adjust to the seasons.

This idea can be a little complex, so we recommend reading this blog post - How I Finally Made a Capsule Wardrobe Work. It’s a great deep dive into building a capsule wardrobe and explains the above in more detail.

1 Question

• Imagine you are moving to a new home with only a suitcase. What are the items of clothing you would take with you, and why?

Thanks for reading! We hope you enjoy your week.

With gratitude,

MindfulMornings

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