Lifestyle, Privilege and the Problem of “How To” Tips

Lifestyle, privilege and the problem of “How To” tips… How do I write “how to” tips without telling people how they should live? Is the low waste lifestyle a privilege? Is eco living only for the wealthy? Who can afford Slow Fashion? Am I uncomfortable giving you my top tips when I know that just getting the basics in life can be a real struggle for many? I sure can be.

I can tell you that writing this blog is, at times, way out of my comfort zone. From the techy side, to the writing, being vulnerable, not wanting to feel preachy, the list goes on. All this said, I truly believe that it is great to push yourself out of your comfort zone and keep learning new things; just trying to put your best foot forward. It’s pretty cool too when people appreciate your tips, share in your design ethos and generally try to simplify and waste less.

My feeling on “how to” tips is that it’s up to you. Take them or leave them, I give you full support without judgement. There is another side though, so let’s have a look to see if it’s about privilege.

Is zero waste a privilege?

I would say yes and no, at the same time.

Are reduce, reuse, repair and so on only for the privileged? I would say no. Anyone can prescribe to the ideals of minimalism and zero waste. Refusing the unnecessary, reusing what you already have and getting second hand stuff should be accessible to most.

On the other hand, so much of this lifestyle comes down to choice and time. When it comes down to it both choice and time are a real privilege. Not to mention that I talk about less but better, quality often comes with a hefty price tag. It certainly takes money to buy stainless steel water bottles, coffee mugs and lunch boxes. Slow fashion is a perfect example of the high price point of sustainable living.

How far you dive in the the ideals often comes down to privilege.

In the end, does it matter?

The more people involved in a sustainable lifestyle the better. If you can’t, you just can’t, simple as that. If the food that someone gets at the food bank is super packaged, they still get my full support. I’m confident that if zero waste is beyond their means, their actual footprint on the earth is way less than most privileged people.

Every little step counts and we can all make a difference, and let’s remember that it’s more of a journey than a destination. A simple, accessible part of the journey can be voting for policies that prioritize people, communities and the environment; policies that prioritize the greater good.

It will certainly be easier for some than others, so let’s collectively do our best with what we have.

Small changes can add up and have a big impact.

Please share “Lifestyle, Privilege and the Problem of “How To” Tips” on your socials or even better subscribe below for regular updates.

Thanks for reading,

Pat