10 Tips For a Healthy Mindset as a Conscious Consumer
Photo by Hiraman (Getty Images). ID - two young women of African ethnicity shopping in plastic-free store.
Ethical shopping isn’t easy when there is so much choice.
Throw greenwashing into the mix and it can make the savviest shopper feel overwhelmed.
The problem is that polluting corporations are confusing everyone by advertising their “sustainability.” When you buy their products, you are funding them so they can continue what they are doing.
The lack of regulations around buzzwords, such as “eco-friendly,” has put all the responsibility onto consumers - which isn’t fair. Many of whom don’t have the knowledge or simply don’t care.
A conscious consumer looks below the surface to ensure they are only supporting brands that have a positive impact on the planet and people.
What is a conscious consumer?
A conscious consumer is someone who only supports companies that align with their personal values. Before financially supporting a brand, the conscious consumer will check its environmental impact, animal rights policies, and supply chain transparency.
Conscious consumers aren’t all the same because people have different values and beliefs. One may be focused on boycotting companies that avoid their taxes while paying starvation wages overseas, and another may care more about buying products that are free from cruelty.
They also have different circumstances and privileges that will sometimes make it harder (or impossible) to make the choices they’d like to.
A person with a low income may focus on reducing their food waste and buying second-hand, whereas someone with disposable income may choose to support sustainable businesses and buy organic, Fairtrade food.
When you view all individual conscious consumers as a group, you will see the beauty and strength of this collective action. But there must be space for a diverse range of views and beliefs so that the fair society everyone craves is inclusive to all.
Why is conscious consumption important?
Our economic system chooses profits over the environment. Corporations and governments have no intention of stopping, even if it leads to millions more people dying.
While we really do need a complete system change, consumers hold a lot more power than we realise because we are the ones funding them.
On an individual level, the change barely has an impact, but collectively we can make a difference (and we are!).
Here are some of the benefits of conscious consumption:
You can support small businesses instead of billionnaires
It helps put a stop to child labour and modern slavery
It may reduce the toxic chemicals and allergens in your home
Reduces animal cruelty and testing
Unethical corporations are slowly making changes due to consumer demand
Schemes like Fairtrade are improving people’s lives
Having a healthy mindset as a conscious consumer
Conscious individuals often feel a lot of eco guilt or shame, especially when they are new to this movement. I strongly feel this is a waste of energy but if you don’t deal with the feelings you will end up with anxiety and possibly burnout.
The environmental destruction the planet is facing was caused by a small number of very big companies and allowed to happen by governments.
Blaming yourself for past actions or current choices isn’t helpful because it is something you cannot control.
Instead, try and focus on:
Buying less stuff - it is the best way to reduce your environmental impact
Forgiving yourself for choices you made when you didn’t know better
Doing what you can do, within your abilities.
Making small changes that fit into your lifestyle without adding stress
Limiting how much news and depressing information you consume
Fill “your cup” with self-care and things that make you happy. Joy is the best way to avoid burning out.
Join a local environmental group if you’re feeling alone or isolated
Connecting with other people that share your values, such as in Facebook Groups or Instagram
Try to avoid:
9. Comparing yourself to others, especially on social media where you’re only seeing what that person wants you to see.
10. Aiming for perfection. It is unsustainable and will lead to stress and burnout. Conscious consumption and ethical living are not all or nothing. We all have different strengths and privileges, your best is good enough.
If you’ve got any tips for having a healthy mindset as a conscious consumer, share them in the comments below!
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