Last week, I was interviewed by the New York City-based environmental publication one5c about my article “ The Long Haul: Reflections on Decluttering ” published by the Journal of Sustainability Education. I was asked to respond to the following question: As I declutter my home, what do I do about the feeling that I'm creating a big pile of trash? My response: Feelings and emotions are central to sustainability conversations. This question speaks directly to negative feelings like guilt, disgust, and sadness. Let these negative feelings be a catalyst for change and personal growth. Use them to break the repetitive pattern of buying, accumulating, and decluttering. Feelings can motivate the desire to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle: thriftiness, the sharing economy, and minimalism. Feelings can also stimulate a desire for broader social change for the climate. Trash Dialogues is a concept that I developed to have broader conversations abo...
Imagine being buried with all the material stuff that you have ever purchased or been gifted or owned at some point in your life. Think about the clothes you have worn, the electronics you have used, the furniture that has decorated your home. The thought is overwhelming. But this is essentially what we are doing to the planet. When we declutter - and dump what we don't want, we are trashing the planet, burying it in items that will never biodegrade. What I call Wasted Planet Movements are designed to encourage trash discussions and taking action to slow down the waste. Join the movement today.
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