I am still at it. But by now, I actually like it. No struggle. Low, low credit card bill. Time for other things. Pretty much a win-win. Plus, it's earth month so I can feel pretty smug. OK, not entirely. Given the weather I am still using the dryer too much and I drove downtown today because it was raining and I was running late (both no surprise). But rather than go on and on about our in-home buy nothing effort, since I've likely said all I've got to say on that one (another surprise), I can share some other woman's take on consumerism. Didn't we agree awhile back to broaden the lens 'round here??
Enter Annie Leonard, who stars in The Story of Stuff. It's just 20 minutes, and for those of who simply can't imagine that amount of time used straight on one single activity (me!), you can skip around and browse the action info while watching the video. Perfect for a died-in-the-wool multi-tasker like this mama.
Seen it? Impressed? Same old story? Here's a description (and reviews) to help you decide how many minutes of your non-existent time this is worth:
From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.
Its action section, Another Way, has 10 little and big things you can do to make some change in this area. Do-able with kids, IMHO. As they say:
Each of us can promote sustainability and justice at multiple levels: as an individual, as a teacher or parent, a community member, a national citizen, and as a global citizen. As Annie says in the film, “the good thing about such an all pervasive problem is that there are so many points of intervention.” That means that there are lots and lots of places to plug in, to get involved, and to make a difference. There is no single simple thing to do, because the set of problems we’re addressing just isn’t simple. But everyone can make a difference, but the bigger your action the bigger the difference you’ll make.
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