Another Earth Month has come and gone…
As much as I try to root myself in climate optimism and climate solutions to motivate my activism, there’s something about this year that makes the future look extremely bleak. Between seeing so much death and destruction around the world, the serious lack of action from elected officials, and the impending handmaid’s-tale-reminiscent elections in November, it feels like all of the momentum we’ve been working so hard towards is pummeling towards an ominous and fascistic end.
Deep breath. In, 2, 3, 4, out, 2, 3, 4. I’ve been working extra hard lately at finding the balance between staying informed without burning myself out. Protecting my peace, without falling into blissful ignorance. Some of that has included continuing to do the necessary work I love:
I learned how to sew. In April, I signed up for beginner lessons at Soul Collections, a lovely, Black-woman owned community space where I took four 2-hour courses. Over the course of the month, I learned how to use a sewing machine, made a pin cushion from scrap fabric, and even made a toiletry pouch that I filled and gave to my mom for Mother’s Day. That bag took me no less than 3 hours to make, but I love it (flaws and all) and she said she loves it too.
Managing Intersectional Environmentalist’s podcast, The Joy Report. We launched season two last month and I know I’m biased but as someone who’s not a podcast person… I LOVE this podcast. I’m particularly looking forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts on our episode on Conscious Consumption - you can give it a listen on Spotify or Apple.
Investing in my community offline. Last month, I hosted an upcycling workshop with The Travel Agency, a Black- and woman-owned legal dispensary in NYC, which donates half of its profits to The Doe Fund. For over 30 years, The Doe Fund has led the charge against homelessness and recidivism by providing economic opportunity, housing, career training, and supportive services to homeless and formerly incarcerated men.. I sourced all of the up cycled materials secondhand, thanks to my local Buy Nothing group and to all of the friends who donated their old materials for us to use. There’s something so grounding about in person experiences, and it was an honor to facilitate this earthy event.
Focusing on my sustainable fashion challenge. With the ever-changing algorithm, I don’t really know how many folks are learning alongside me when it comes to challenging our consumption ‘norms’. Regardless, it’s been an adventure and a practice saying ‘no’ to new clothing that I don’t need.
Finally, this month I’ve taken a proper vacation, the first I’ve had in a while. As I type this, I’m currently midway through a not-so-little Euro trip: I visited Croatia with my family for a wedding, hopped over to Madrid (with my brother) and Barcelona (solo), and now I’m in Copenhagen for the Global Fashion Summit. And as much as it feels like an oxymoron to be flying so much, I’m doing my best to travel sustainably where I can: opting for Barcelona instead of Paris (which I miss dearly and wanted to visit) since it’s only a train ride away from Madrid, bringing all my reusables - utensils, tote bag, cloth napkin, water bottle - and if I do shop, it will all be secondhand.
I hope you all are taking care of yourselves, and your community.
