All in Simple Home
Ethical Holiday || Gift Guide For Kids
The last of my gift guides for the year has been the most fun to put together. It's possible that kids are even harder to shop for than men, especially if you're trying to do so ethically. Although I try to always keep our Christmas gifts (very) simple and affordable for my two girls, I went a bit over the top with this guide. I include gifts for a wide age range and an even wider range of budgets ;)
6 Simple Ways To Lead A More Sustainable Life, Even When You're Unmotivated
I'll be completely honest: ever since we moved, I've found it incredibly difficult to prioritize sustainability in my day to day life. The act of moving to a new home is such a wasteful process in itself (the endless boxes and bubble wrap and back and forth and throwing away) that I essentially tossed the mindset, giving myself a bit of (necessary) grace until we slowly settled in our new home.
But how long does said "grace period" last? It's been nearly three months and although we're technically "settled," my mindset about my daily habits hasn't shifted much. If I'm being totally honest (which I like to be, mostly) I'm feeling abnormally unmotivated to put in the work it takes to downsize waste and live consciously. I feel like I'm in a bit of an "eco-slump" when it comes to things like recycling, plastic elimination, and everything else it takes to live sustainably.
Slow Parenting || When It's Hard
I scream "slow down" from my internal rooftops all day everyday. Part of my job involves advertising slow fashion brands. My closet is carefully curated to make getting dressed easier, eliminating decision fatigue. Our kitchen is stocked with healthy foods, meant to make feeding a family of four easier than rummaging through cupboards of unknown ingredients. But one of the most important areas of my life is often the hardest for me to live "slowly" in.
Our recent move is my excuse for every stress in my life, both inconsequential and significant, but it's been over a month and the transition isn't getting any simpler. As we "ease into" (I like using phrases that downplay how difficult it really feels- words like "transition" make it seem neat and tidy, but when is it, really?) our new life, I'm realizing that my approach to parenting lately has been anything but slow.