Going Plastic Free ~ A Journey Begins

A portion of my downsizing journey involves progress towards a plastic free life.  I've recently read the excellent book: Plastic-Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too.  It's something that I've been interested in for years.  It started with plastic bags, which seemed to accumulate at exponential rates.  I hated that no-one recycled them and while I tried to donate them to various thrift shops, I hated how they lined the fences and fields regardless.  In the early 2000's, made myself a set of fabric shopping bags and got myself in the habit of using them all the time.  Then I made my family members sets of bags.  Now, it is my daughter's and my "go-to wedding shower gift".  It's been great to see them getting used a lot!  

I've also used wicker laundry baskets most of my adult life - until I "inherited" two plastic ones when my mother passed away.  As durable plastic items, I didn't just want to discard them and they don't have recycle symbols on them, so I've figured I would get as much use out them as I could before they went to the landfill.  

I've tried to minimize purchases of plastic items, but I knew I still had quite a few in my home.  The book opened my eyes to sources of plastic that I didn't even know were there - in things like teabags! Going to the grocery store this week with all my newfound knowledge was an eye-opener.  Did you know that you cannot buy berries without them being pre-packaged in plastic?  Or grapes?  They all come pre bagged in plastic.  

This morning I decided that for a week, starting today, I would collect all the plastic disposable items that I used.  I was thinking it wasn't much, until I remembered my morning teabag, and then I checked the mail and found an envelope with a plastic window.  And then that cup of Chai from Starbucks ~ which I forgot to request without the plastic stopper/stirrer thing.  And the cup?  I learned that all those "paper" hot cups or bowls say "do not microwave" on them because the paper is impregnated with plastic, which when heated leaches carcinogenic/dangerous chemicals into the food.  But a steaming hot filling of coffee, tea, chai, or soup doesn't?  I'll think twice before ordering again unless I have my own stainless steel cup for them to fill.  

So, one day into my full bore attempt to go plastic free, has already been quite an education.  

Today's plastic accumulation.  Starbucks plastic impregnated "paper" cup with plastic lid, plastic stopper/stirrer, Lipton teabag (impregnated with up to 30% plastic), plastic window on solicitation mail received plus two plastic "pre-membership" cards from AARP; and a plastic bag from my favorite treat of Dove chocolates.  

Action plan?  

- Contact AARP and request 1) to be removed from their mailing list, 2) to request that AARP not send plastic through the mail which will then be solely destined for the landfill.  

- Not purchase Starbucks in the future without bringing my own plastic free cup for them to fill

- Contact Dove to see if there is any way to purchase their chocolates without the plastic bag.  If not, then seek another source of milk chocolate that comes in non-plastic wrapping. Sad face here as I like theirs better than any other I have found yet.  

The Relationship between Clutter and Loneliness

I learned something about myself this past month.  It was after Christmas and all the decorations were put away.  A friend had visited for a couple of days and after she left, the house was spotless.

As I walked through the house, I was struck by the barrenness.  The space was filled with aching quiet and emptiness.  Was it that my friend had left?  Was it that the house felt too spare?  I suddenly wondered if I really wanted this minimalistic life after all. 

I’ve lived alone now for many years.  Mostly, I am happy in my solitude.  As an introvert, somewhat of a loner, a creative being who needs a certain amount of solitude to create, being alone suits me much of the time.  But I still crave time spent with people.  I miss having my children around.  I miss having a partner to sit in the quiet of the evening with, to travel and share things with.  The departure of my friend, made this abundantly clear. 

To cope with the silence and the space, I immediately delved deep into a project.  A project that involved creating a great deal of clutter in at least three rooms of the house. The silence of the space wasn’t so deafening.  The emptiness of the rooms didn’t seem quite so overwhelming.  I didn’t feel so alone anymore. 

Was it the project?  Having something to delve deeply into?  Or was it the evidence of things going on around me?  Regardless, the space no longer felt quite so barren and lonely, and I was more at ease.   I learned that clutter and projects are my way of filling the void, of not feeling quite so lonely.

As I seek a more minimal lifestyle, time spent with people becomes a priority.  

Beginning [again]

Simplifying.  Back-to-basics.  Living-with-less.  De-bulking.  Downsizing,  Minimizing.  

These are topics that re-circulate through my life.  

Again and again I think about minimizing, getting rid of stuff, paring down, about clarifying, making things clear and simple, finding purpose, getting back to the essential, to the core of what really matters.  In truth, this journey began a long time ago and has been resumed numerous times.   I hope to review the journey, reinvigorate it, and this time - to get serious about it and to find success and satisfaction in it.

I dream of living a monastic styled life, centered on the meditation of God and his Word.  I dream of spare spaces, filled only with a few items that I love and where I can spend time focused on things that bring peace, joy, and contentment into my life.  I  dream of a life spent creating beautiful things that bring joy and peace to others.  A life spent in harmony with nature and the seasons.  

The issues?  I am a packrat.  I am a collector.  I am a creative person with interests and talents in many areas.  I am keeper of the family archives and genealogical records.  I don't take one photo, I take hundreds (that turn into thousands).  I don't start one project and finish it, but rather I start many and finish few.  I surround myself with piles of things, that then need taken care of, which then takes time away from contemplative and creative pursuits.  I work long hours at a job that brings less and less satisfaction and spend my "free" time dreaming of running away, instead of pursing the things that bring contentment and joy.

This journey to A Clarified Life involves possessions, activities, busy-ness, creativity, relationships, generosity, and stewardship.   For myself, it also a deeply spiritual journey.  It begins with cleaning out my spiritual house, clearing out the clutter of doubt, unbelief, and yes, even mis-belief.  It means loving God with heart, mind and soul, and seeking to love others as myself (Matt 22:-40); seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matt 6:25-34); to live without anxiety, trusting God, and to be thankful in all things  (Phil 4:6,7); and living contentedly (1 Tim 6:6-10).   For me, traveling on the road towards simplicity, clarity, and minimalism is also a step of faith.  

Many of the books, blogs, and websites that I have read focus primarily on the materialistic side of downsizing, but faith and belief play an enormous role in it.  As well, I find few of the sources out there deal effectively with the idea of simplicity and/or minimalism when it comes to creativity.  As an artist and needlewoman, I know all to well how art, craft, and sewing supplies can take over space.  I hope to share my journey in that realm as well.  Lastly, as keeper of our family's extensive archives and genealogy records, I hope to share some of my journey on that topic.

Thank you for joining me on the journey!  As you will soon see, I do not have all the answers, though I hope to find some along the way!  It is my sincere wish that you may find some of what I share applicable to your own journey towards clarity and simplicity and to the growth of your own faith!