Mindful Spending—or Not Spending—on Black Friday

One of the craziest American traditions—Black Friday—is the perfect time to exercise mindfulness and restraint of excess consumption. In the U.S., consumption levels are not sustainable. We far outspend, out purchase, and out consume every other country on Earth even though we are only 5% of the world's population. So, it's imperative, in this desperate time of climate change that's on the verge of being irreversible, that we make more mindful decisions when it comes to consumption.

Being an educated, informed consumer is one of the best things any one of us can do on a daily basis to make life better and more sustainable for ourselves, our children, and our planet. Black Friday is a good time to remember that consumers have a lot of power in a capitalist democracy and nothing is more powerful than voting with your pocketbook. 

Supporting small, local businesses is one of the best ways to make a statement about your values. You can also bring awareness to causes you care about. Small businesses that give consumers with a conscience ways to spend mindfully are popping up all over the country. One such example is Kombucha Dog, an organic, non-GMO delicious taste bud experience that has married up with a great cause: rescue dogs. Another company that has really made an impression on me is REI with their OptOutside Campaign, closing doors on Black Friday, encouraging people to participate in life instead of shopping. There are many more businesses jumping onboard this mindfulness train, consumers just have to do their homework.

I am very proud of the life I’ve led in this regard. Living mindfully is a cornerstone of my existence. Perhaps it is the Native American Indian within me—I have always felt a deep kinship with the Earth and a desire not to take more from her than I can give back. While I will never be able to give more than I receive from the Earth's bounty, I try every single day to be a steward of the Earth and all sentient beings; to put loving-kindness for my planet and animals first. When I do this, I make healthier choices for me and the planet. When I do this, I put my money into the causes that mean the most to me. I vote with my pocketbook every time I purchase something. As a minimalist, the money I don’t spend is also a vote against consumerism and the institutions that are driving the train of consumption sickness and climate change in this country.

So this Black Friday, be an informed consumer, or better yet, follow REI’s lead and not be a consumer at all. Minimalism is beautiful. Buy local. Buy thoughtful. Spend wisely.