The Daily Rundown: How To Use Less in a Single Day

It’s widely known that the United States is one of the leading countries in consumerism and other capitalist practices. Even social capital is often built on the foundation of what you have. Quantity is predominantly favored over quality in this country; it's common to show off how many belongings you have and the brands that made them. To be honest, it's a waste of time and I'm not sure any sane person genuinely cares. No one goes to bed at night thinking about how much they like you because of what you own. And if they do, they should stop. Because it doesn't matter.

When thinking about your goals in life, do you imagine material or immaterial things? Sure, owning a house and other dreams of that sort are acceptable in my opinion. But when we focus too much on material, we lose sight of the real aspirations that fuel our souls: falling in love, making memories while traveling, pursuing an education and more.

In order to focus less on "stuff" in your life, it'll be easier to think of how you can use less in a single day. Start to incorporate thoughts of what you don't need in your daily activities, you'll be surprised on how little is necessary to get through a day. Here's a list of things in my own day that I've chosen to cut back on in order to eventually lead a more drastically minimal life:

1. Shower: Think about the products you use. How many bath products are really necessary and are they eco-friendly. Cut down on length & temperature of shower.

2. Coffee: Make your own; it makes your house smell good. ALSO, you save money on buying coffee at cafes which racks up! If you need a cup to go, use a mug. Easy.

3. Food: Preparing your own food at home saves money. But also prevents food waste! Take tupperware with your prepared food to work/school or wherever you're going to.

4. Getting dressed: Think about the things you typically wear. Recently I donated most of my clothing because I found myself mix & matching the same staple pieces for weeks. You really don't need as many clothes as you think!

5. Transportation: Is walking to your destination a possibility for you? Could you use public transportation. Cars are expensive and also TERRIBLE for the environment. Selling my car last year was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Living in Seattle has made me much more conscious of my carbon footprint. Being so close to national parks and forests has given me a better perspective of how much of an impact my actions have on the environment. It's easy to feel sheltered or blocked off from the rest of the world when living in a city, but it's necessary to stay aware of what's going on outside of your urban bubble. The high levels of consumption city dwellers use in a single day is frightening, but when I'm able to see the ocean and mountains in the distance between sky scrapers, it reminds me to stay conscious of my environmental impact; and to also take responsibility for all forms of my consumption. Hopefully this list will help you start thinking the same!