CONSCIOUS CONSUMPTION

As Christmas approaches and we find ourselves bombarded with advertising for gifts, decorations, food and everything in between, it’s easy to get lost in the desire for more, more more.  

Buying and selling seems to have become a somewhat mindless task in our insatiably materialistic society, and we wholeheartedly admit to falling victim to the ‘shopping cart’ icon’s scheming persuasion…(Because everything is so shiny and pretty and those shoes would be perfect for those in-between weather days and we just really want them, wait, need them!) However, we also wholeheartedly hope that as we consider our values here at Plyroom, they can serve as a gentle reminder for us all that we as consumers have the choice to make educated and well informed decisions when it comes to consumption habits and where our money is spent. In turn, showing a little bit of love not only to our bank account but to this planet that so generously offers us so much…



Relish moments, not things.


It’s incredibly easy to get caught up in the shopping frenzy that the festive season brings. Rather than heading straight to the shops with a long list, we are going to try to stop for a moment and think about the benefits of conscious consumption and how it might help us navigate the holidays this year.

What is conscious consumption?

To us, conscious consumption is a way of living and thinking that encourages greater awareness of our purchase decisions. These decisions are informed by an understanding of the impact our purchases will have on our environment and on our overall sense of wellbeing.

We wholeheartedly support conscious consumption because we believe in simplicity and in simply buying better. We know what it can feel like to be surrounded by objects and extras that don’t add to your everyday life but actually detract from it. It can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety, disorganisation, a lack of focus, productivity, creativity and inspiration. The idea that things = happiness, is an outdated one. We think of the quote by Richard Wagner,

‘Joy is not in things; it is in us.’

That’s not to say that you shouldn’t surround yourself with the things you love. We believe an environment that inspires and supports us to live our lives with meaning and love is essential. What we’re aiming for is to create that environment, at home and at work, because we’re making informed decisions about what is important to us and what isn’t – and that is a key aspect. Understanding what isn’t important to you, and what you can let go of to make space for the things that really matter, is vital to you making decisions that feel right deep down in your stomach and leave you feeling good.


Image via Kinfolk

A conscious Christmas

As for Christmas, conscious consumption doesn’t mean we will forgo gift giving altogether (what sad faces there would be on Christmas morning if we woke to a Christmas tree with nothing beneath it!?), instead it calls on us to put a bit more thought and consideration into our gifting decisions. How can we think creatively and gift someone joy, without filling the house with objects they don’t really need or love, that may end up collecting dust while stored for a rainy day that never comes?


Ask these three questions

When buying or accruing something new:
  • Does this item reflect my values and personality?
  • Do I absolutely love it? 
  • What is the impact on the environment or community? 

Just by asking those questions, we’ll change the way we think when making a decision to purchase something or not. Over time, we look forward to noticing that we have created a home to live in that reflects our values and style, that inspires us daily and that enhances our sense of wellbeing.  Care to join us?

Analogue Life products are practical and innately mindful.


We have written these questions down in our phone and carry them with us to refer to them whenever we need - good for moments of weakness when we are out buying gifts and fall in love with a little something for us too. May they be a guiding force to help us all manage those shopping crowds with ease. 

Top image via Kinfolk.

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