my personal thoughts on living sustainably

okay so --- i guess i am writing this to explain why I do what I do--but also-- how it has worked for me

_--well yes my goal is to better the world/solve injustices--etc---be more 'green'--- but i have found that there really is not enough credit given to things many lower and middle income families do that are not only extremely creative and resourceful---but really are sustainable.

-----sometimes thrift stores and consignment type things that people use are so highly noticed as where ya go when you have no money-- but the value of recycling/reuse and the reduction of a family's carbon footprint is less noted--- but it is a valuable thing---keepin stuff out of landfills-- as well as only buying brand new things that are sustainably made-- so the stuff that goes around is increasingly better --- lasts longer but also as with toys made of bamboo or rubberwood-- the wood is harvested sustainably but is also a solid investment in that the quality of products made with them are better---they are stronger---splinter less--and can be kept for a long time and/or given/traded to others when kids do grow out of them--(i'm thinking in terms of blocks/puzzles/playsets/shape sorters-etc for kids 18 months up to possibly age 8 or so.)

-so thought goes into the design--- but here's the thing---- when discussing sustainability with the average family-- many people honestly shut down because it all sounds like fantasy basically to people who are working hard/often for less money than deserved-to maintain a household of approx. 3 kids who all want stuff- and its daunting already--- trying to push 'green literature on them is sometimes just too much'

so i have found that emphasizing the value of what people ARE doing---or praising reuse as a really good idea---to save money and time, etc. as well as gently letting them know--that certain toys may be expensive and flashy-but many of them tend to break easily-and are not even interesting even to keep kids attention- as well as pointing out other options that can be just as good if not better--is like helping them get the most out of their dollar--- by my work with kids--- i am actually astounded at some of the things people give really young kids-----like Wii- i mean at best --it simulates actions that kids could/ or should be doing anyway-with friends -outside-- like baseball--or whatever--- so instead of spending a gazillion dollars on a simulated bowling??? game---- save money aside---to take the kids bowling--- cuz when it really comes down to it-- thats what they generally want---

-so this event that i will hold is kinda like the epitome of this--- inherently ---it is good for the environment--- but my CORE constituency wouldnt go if i told them that was all that mattered---- what they hear is "like a free yardsale" and something fun for the day---and people flock to the idea---- i mean if you say the word consignment/tag/yardsale at the preschool---- thirty thousand people suddenly appear before you like magic-- wanting details

---but because it is green ---and many families up here are clued in--- they would love the idea of it as well--- but also -like the other parents-- hear 'like a free consignment/tag sale and something fun to do ---but i can emphasize--- community building experience- and get even further-- cuz it will be 'worth it- in the sense of supporting the endeavor'

many students would detest the idea of 'used clothes' but at the same time-- most of them are constantly sharing with one another---and or embellishing their own things to be more unique,etc.----so they also need to be spoken to--- in a way that they will hear it--- "trading clothes/showing off my fashion sense/skills to people who need that advice--- throwin in the part about---the more people you get together-- the wider your variety of choices is---and this cool stuff will not only cost next to nothing--- it is likely to be relatively 'in style' AND will fit them--- so its like the ideal yardsale for people who hate the idea cuz there is never anything for -THEM-- well getting people to get their own friends involved really can shape it to cater to their tastes in one way or other----- so..

it is a sustainable idea--- it is really good for the earth in its MIND but it is at its HEART a social event---a fun day that can speak to the needs/wants of many types of people- but one of those needs really is cheap ways to have a good time and meet people/see new art concepts/ entertainment, etc.after all this crazy snow.

so as a Pitch or emphasis--- that is what i am throwing out there --because again-- once people are doing it-- or enticed for specific reasons--- finding out after the fact that doing something they WANT to do--- ie:shop til they drop and hang out---- is good for the environment ---will be the icing on the cake-- it will further justify this concept -- and like i did on a small scale with families---- it makes people feel good about themselves---cuz being thrifty is sustainable -- and kids loveeeeee the idea that when they give or get 'hand-me-down kinda stuff' and work it to fit them --stylewise even-- it is making them mini environmentalists--- it is something most my kids bragged about---especially if the giver is a caretaker/role model---- they feel cool--


so thats where i am at kind of is --that idea of practicing pitching it to students-- but i have other audiences who are already on it-- i mean at my doctor's office the other day-- i didnt even have to really explain it- whatsoever-- the nurse i talked to- heard-- swap meet---and it was off to the races--- people in the waiting heard it to-- it was kinda funny-- but i havent been that articulate at explaining it--- and i think it is because it jsut inherently makes sense to me personally---and well because --i dont have to say much to my core constituency---- cuz they already have the frame of mind to do things like this---- with friends/ or goodwill (which by the way is freakin expensive---and so is the kids' consignment store they opened on hwy 421- i dont know if it is always open---but its been held a few times----and i mean --i know people who spent $80 or more---and i am guilty of at least $50--- cuz i mean i got alot of barely used stuff last spring for this year--- like sweaters for a 3 year old---
---but at the same time it did suck cuz the consignment place in raleigh was cooler--and cheaper--
and i know what some stuff is worth--and they sell it for near market -new-pricing-- but it was convenient at the time ---------so knowing everyone else at preschool----still went--- some went several times that week-- to clean the place out-- and they dont have money either-- but consignment sale is a magic word-- and like i said--it freakin took people's paycheck- but they got nicer things for the money than they would normally get-- the quality counted----and it does--- ------but those same people hold stuff---dont have time to even consider consigning it back to make money--- but they trade amongst themselves--- i mean outright- when many people i know talk about what they buy --they justify it BY saying -well this person is having a baby---or well i jsut had to get it even though... but since your boy is smaller-- he can have it when mine grows out of it-----i mean
basically people in the same boat do look out for one another---that is part of the beauty of this ---- that at the very least---- those people can get together-all at one time---and just do all the odd swapping more easily than the thousand name phone tree----
-------plus i am finding out more and more about different crafty people doing cool stuff----like at the Turchin Center--and a possible DIY club -- so there is campus interest at face value for it as well--and it is a good source for volunteers to do the demo things-----

so i am writing this to myself basically--but if anyone is bored enough to want to know kinda why this is not only a good thing--- its a desired thing--- i'll be writing stuff like this probably frequently-

----- but my marketing strategy is not going to be sooo heavy handed on the technical- 'carbon footprint stuff' -
----oh and i'm looking at making a webpage----there is this place that nonprofits can make sites -and get hosted for free-and it is set up for me to plug stuff in and make it widely available- so i'll get that going soon-