Ah, shopping! So much fun! Sending pics to my friends in group texts to help me select my next shopping spree, getting that giant package at my doorstep and doing try-on hauls was always such a rush. That hit of dopamine came with ease until I discovered the horrors of fast fashion.
I can’t say that I remember the exact moment when I learned about the harms of Fast Fashion on the planet and human lives, but I remember doing research, following sustainable lifestyle and fashion bloggers and understanding that my habits needed to change if I wanted to live true to my earth loving beliefs and needed to further educate myself. I know I’ve already talked about this in previous posts as I started navigating through the sustainable lifestyle space, so I just wanted to share how I was able to make this change and stop supporting my fast fashion shopping habit since we’re in the middle of Earth Month.
So, about a year and a half ago I finally made the decision to stop shopping at my usual go-to fast fashion brands like H&M, Zara and Shein, just to name a few. H&M has expanded their Organic and Recycled green line, so if I do shop with them, I only purchase from those specific lines. Truth be told, I haven’t bought many new items since I started working closely with Goodwill San Antonio as an ambassador a little over a year ago. I have however shopped with budget-friendly ethical brands/boutiques like Blue District out of Los Angeles (now relocated in Dallas) and Gypsy Freedom in Upstate New York who carries eco-friendly and ethically made known brands. I also support fashion designer who use sustainable, eco-friendly and ethical fabrics and confection standards. The transition was not easy, but once I made the decision it was a clean break. I couldn’t bring myself to justify “only buying one or two piece” well knowing that these fast fast fashion brands go against my ethical and ecological standards. I do admit, it was somewhat of an addiction. I had to delete their shopping apps and vow to never even scroll through their pages, because it was a temptation. I made the clean break and honestly feel so liberated and free and I can tell you from personal experience, that it IS possible to make this change. My closet is full, I have donated bags and bags of things that I’ve only worn once or twice and still have a full closet that could probably use another detox. Don’t let these brands or anyone convince you that you need more stuff and that you need to have something new every week. That’s where my headspace used to be, and it’s simply not true. I can mix and match to create a new outfit every day if I want to with what I already have and if I ever get the itch for something that I don’t currently own, I make a trip to Goodwill, my favorite vintage shops or my go-to ethical boutiques.
I’m not perfect, in fact, I’m far from it. I am, however, very willing to learn and adopt the necessary and attainable changes to do my part and do better. Is my closet 100% eco-friendly and sustainable? NOPE! My intention really is to share what I learn with you and show with my lifestyle changes that leading a more sustainable life for us and our future generations is possible by taking it one step at a time.
Blooming Lotus 