I remember the day a year ago when I had my first job interview at Ziff and Davis. It was for a design position at Lose It!, a high-rated calorie tracking app helping millions on their weight loss journey. I had been recently laid off and was looking for a new opportunity that would tie in my passion for sustainable fashion.
I was grateful to be interviewed amidst a job loss crisis in the US. But there was a little gremlin of perfectionism sitting on my shoulder that foggy day. I lovingly call her “Anna Wintour”. She kept saying, “calorie tracking is not related to eco fashion at all.” Dismissing the gremlin as much as I could, I shared my sustainable fashion journey with the team. Then it dawned on me. I knew the connection!
The connection was mindful consumption.
Mindful consumption starts with awareness. It's about being consciously aware of your choices and their impacts.
You know the drill in the world of calorie counting: logging every bite, from that secretive bag of Doritos to the healthy salad you proudly assembled for your kids. But it's not just about keeping a tab on the numbers; it's about making conscious choices. When you track what you eat, you become more aware of your dietary habits, and this mindfulness can lead to better, healthier decisions.
Just like calorie tracking, choosing eco-friendly clothes is about making conscious decisions. It's about asking, "Do I really need another pair of jeans?" or "What's the carbon footprint of this cute top?" It's about slowing down our fashion consumption, much like how we ponder over choosing a salad over a burger.
Ever read the back of a food package and found yourself googling half the ingredients? It's a culinary adventure. Similarly, sustainable fashion is all about understanding what your clothes are made of. Just like how we prefer fresh, organic ingredients in our meals, in the world of fashion, organic cotton, recycled materials, and ethically sourced wool are the equivalent of superfoods.
And then there's the long-term impact. Calorie tracking is not just about fitting in that tight dress for your friend’s wedding; it's a long-term commitment to your health. Similarly, sustainable fashion is about the long-term impacts on our planet. By choosing eco-friendly clothing, you're saying no to fast fashion, reducing waste, and helping reduce environmental damage.
So, what’s next?
The latest data on food consumption indicates that 39.6 percent of U.S. adults are obese, which comes bundled with health risks. At the same time, we have problems with fashion overconsumption. With per capita spending on clothing and footwear in the USA at $1,460, the highest in the world, the average person's closet in the US has about 148 individual items. Producing each one of them takes a toll on the environment.
I believe that mindful consumption will help us as humanity reach a different level of awareness in general. This higher awareness can start with what we put into our bodies through tracking nutrition on Lose It!, discovering eco brands on Good on You, or bumping up your Positive Intelligence score.
Whatever you choose, I’m proud of you, friend.