Posts in Minimalism & Sustainability

MINIMALISM: The Joy of ONE

Minimalism & Sustainability May 18, 2020

To live with less possessions has been my ultimate goal for a few years now. Unlike what others propose, I actually dream of sleeping in a bedroom with only a mattress, natural lighting and a nightstand; quintessential Minimalism – cliched but practical.

I’ve not only contemplated but also experienced the simplicity and the joy of owning only 1 of many things including life’s necessities. While to some this may sound extreme, owning one of each item has turned my life around; easy decisions, quick actions and quality pieces to name a few advantages.

I’ve been able to save up on time, energy and money for things that matter the most. During my journey, I realized that we possess ‘duplicates’ of almost everything in our homes, offices and lives. This wasn’t always an opportunity of joy. Owning 1 of each possession mean’t I’d be surrounded by things I loved the most, I was more intentional with the usage and it would mean I’d be making use of everything I own. “Love people and use things because the opposite never works” is the most shared quote from the Minimalism Film, and I completely agree.

So, here I am sharing with you, 25 things, I own only 1 of:

Wristwatch – its sleek, its minimalist and I wear it everyday.
Scrunchie – its a mauve satin, its soft, it does not leave kinks in my hair and is a cute wrist accessory.
Hair Tool – a small hair dryer that my father got me years ago, and since I don’t heat-style my hair ever (may be once a year), it is more than enough for me.
Skincare – I have 1 of each, a day cream, night cream, mask and an eye cream. I prefer simple skincare as opposed to a whole lot of products on my face.
Beauty – I own 1 of each beauty product that I could possibly use including 1 BB cream, 1 bronzer, 1 eye-shadow quad, 1 eyeliner, 1 mascara, and most importantly 1 sunscreen.
Bookmark – I own 1 bookmark which I absolutely love (and we will not be talking about the 1000 books lined up on my bookshelves).
Phone Case – As opposed to my delinquent teenage years, I no longer own matching phone cases to my outfits, 1 clear, simple one suits me all year long.
Handbag – Remember the days with 46 bags, well no more sweetheart, I technically own 4 but one is a day bag, the second is a crossbody, third is a backpack and the fourth is an evening clutch, one from each category serves me well.
Traditional Festive Wear – Believe it or not, I own only 1 traditional, festive outfit that I use until the point, it is literally falling apart.
Active Wear – I own a very good quality pair of leggings and sports bra from Lulu Lemon and it is more than what I need. It is expensive but the investment is completely worth it.
Yoga Mat – 2 years ago, I purchased a good quality yoga mat, it has served me well and I do not plan to buy a new one anytime soon.
Coffee Tumbler – I used to have 3 on-the-go tumblers but I ended up giving 1 to my brother and one to my bestie and now I am completely content with 1 that is my absolute favorite – no touchy!
Stationery – I used to be a stationery monster and a religious diarist with everything you can imagine right from Disneyland to WarnerBros Studios to Paperchase and now I own 1 single, blue pointer that lives in my everyday handbag.
Sunglasses – In one point of my life, I did have a sunglasses fetish but now I feel blessed owing only one but super quality, investment piece from Gucci.
Strapless Bra – Why would you need more than 1 strapless bra?
Wallet – Well thats nothing impressive is it? Everyone owns 1 wallet but I also have 1 credit card, 1 bank account, 1 key-chain and about 10 coffee reward cards from all over the city.
Sneakers – I own 1 pair of sneakers and although I have had my eye on another style, who needs shoes now, walking is a thing of the past!
Earphones – 1 pair and that is more than enough, I take care of them and cherish them.
Brush and Comb – I own 1 of each, and it is like my personal and affordable hair salon which is accessible at all times.
Anklet – Hell yeah just one baby! My entire jewelry collection now fits inside a Pandora Bracelet box and it makes me very proud.
Laptop – Well this is a definitely cheat because I own 1 Windows (HP) laptop and 1 iOS (MacBook) but hey I earn my living off of them so I don’t mind.
Hat – I own 1 straw-esque hat for those good, old days at the beach and I cannot wait to use it next Summer, fingers-crossed.
Knick-knacks/Decor – I decluttered all of my decor items around 3 years ago and now adorning my bookcase is 1, little faux, potted Aloe Vera plant.
Cleaner – Trust me all you need is 1 all-propose cleaner and the rest are just a marketing scam.
Swimsuit – When you live in my part of the world, you will probably use some kind of swim-wear once or twice in your lifetime but for a water-baby like me this is definitely a good change.

There is a very good chance that I might be forgetting a few more things but for now this looks good. Someday, I’d also like to talk to about the things I own 2 of but now the ball is in your court. Tell me what things you only own 1 of? Or may be parts of your home, you’d like to delcutter? I’d love to hear. Ciao!

Meet My Millennial-esque Resume

Business, Tech & Workplace Minimalism & Sustainability May 12, 2020

Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together for the ultimate millennial profile! It is soooo adorable, I just want you people to see it:

And before you question the un-readable font and my choice of colors, remember; we are the ones staying indoors during the pandemic, we are the ones who care for the planet, we are ones paying-off loans and we are the ones who save up for a menstrual cup so we can continue to reduce our carbon footprint. So, don’t judge! XX

My Minimalism Journey & 10 Things I No Longer Buy

Minimalism & Sustainability July 25, 2018

Hello & welcome to another instalment to my minimalism series.

Today, I am going to share my minimalism journey and how it has affected my lifestyle and well-being.

What is Minimalism?

The very first thing that one needs to understand about Minimalism is that it is different for everybody. It holds a different meaning and a different motive for everyone. People are under the impression that minimalists are all about white walls and monochromatic clothing but that is not the case. Whether you want to delcutter your life in general, save money for personal investment, reduce your carbon footprint or just travel around the world with a backpack, Minimalism is about what you ultimately want out of it.

If you like to put it into words, it is an intentional lifestyle whereby you reduce unnecessary possessions to bring more meaning to your life. People often assume that it is about throwing away everything you own, no, its not. It does not mean you can never shop again, it is more about being self-aware and making conscious decisions regarding what is important to you.

How Did I Discover Minimalism?

Honestly, I don’t remember but I can tell you this – I had never heard of this concept but back in 2012 with no sense of understanding, I began with my minimalism journey when I gave up writing on paper. More on this down below.

Is Minimalism for You?

Minimalism is an extremely versatile life choice, one can shape and bend the rules quite easily. All you need to remember is one basic rule – if it does not serve a purpose in your life, it is best to let go. If you are moving into your new place, it is the perfect time to declutter and bring only the important things into your new home. If you are starting a new job in a new country, best would be to let go of all the excess and gain more freedom. Minimalism is often associated with materialistic possessions alone but in reality it can also be also be used to cut out fear, negativity and guilt from your life. It is all about simplifying. Any and every thing!

10 Things I’ve Stopped Buying As a Minimalist

In the years, I’ve come to adopt this lifestyle, I’ve found myself using it as a tool to identify what brings me value and eliminate the superfluous. And today, I am going to talk about the 10 things that I no longer with my simple living approach.

Diaries & Notebooks

I have been scribbling in a diary since the age of 9 and all of a sudden in the year 2012, I asked my baby brothers to help me declutter 18 physical diaries that contained my inner most thoughts, dirty little secrets and every aspiration from almost 2 decades (they decided to have a bonfire). I sincerely believe that is the moment where the planets aligned and I started my minimalism journey. You know all those cute notebooks you see at Miniso and other designer stores? I no longer feel the need to add more paper to the landfills and yet continue to share my love of the written word using Google Docs or my Blog.

Handbags

And this is coming from someone who at one point in her life, owned a collection of almost 50 bags! Bags and books have always been my jam, something I have come to love from a very young age. And no doubt even today, it is quite easy for a well-constructed crossbody or a luxe clutch to take my breath away but I’ve chosen to invest in a few, fine pieces as opposed to a wardrobe full of low-quality and high-maintenance bags. Investing in 4 excellent quality pieces (1 handbag, 1 crossbody & 2 clutches) has fuelled my passion for this accessory and yet helped in downsizing immensely. In fact, I am happy to report, I haven’t spent a single penny over an evening clutch in over a decade.

Costume Jewellery

Curating a collection takes time and a budget and I know this isn’t for everyone. One must take absolute care when making expensive purchases and I did make that choice just a couple of years ago where I donated and gave-away 99% of my costume (imitation) jewellery in favour of a few fine pieces. Once again, yes, replacing expendables with indispensables does require you to invest a little but the value that it brings over an extended period of time is beyond measure. That is exactly why today, my entire jewellery armoire is just a 1″ x 3.5″ box from Pandora but holds more value (literal and sentimental) than my entire closet.

Makeup & Skincare

You know Bill Gates wasn’t fooling around when he said, wearing the same clothes helps him focus on what is more important. And thus I’ve chosen to set a makeup routine that works wonders for me and I stick to it. With already my handbag and jewellery collection downsized, I take less time to get ready in the morning and spend more on the breakfast table with my baby brother watching morning cartoons. I have one of each makeup item that I need and repurchase only once it is fully utilized. Who needs 25 lipsticks and 20 nail lacquers any way?

And don’t get me wrong, I do take care of my skin but instead of a cluttered bathroom counter, I’ve selected a few organic options that are great for the skin, easy on the pocket and excellent for the planet (Top Tip: Organic Coconut Oil does it all – cleanse, moisturize, protect and sooth).

Magazines, Cookbooks & Subscriptions

As hard as it was to leg go of a few favourite publications (RD, I am talking about you) I’ve chosen to opt for online reading and leisure-time browsing. Remember all those subscriptions, you clicked ‘yes’ to just because you were in a hurry to enter the website? They not only clutter your inbox but also lead you to tempting purchases. Today pretty much everything under the sun is available online and unless there is a specific medical journal that is available only through mail order that you require to complete your residency there is no need to add more trash to the bin.

DVDs

Now here’s an option that you can adopt right away as the trend is already dying out. And now that you’ve so many multiplexes and online video-on-demand subscriptions there is no need to hoard over 300 DVDs in your home. I decluttered my family’s collection 2 times in the last 3 years and today we are DVD free. Not to mention the money you can save on yearly subscriptions as opposed to purchasing new movies every Friday.

Ornaments, Kinck-knacks & Home Decor

This is something I’ve been very strict about and have had the most success with till date. I no longer spend money in buying decorative items, mantelpiece add-ons, antiques, artworks, faux flowers that in the end only add to the clutter around my house and most of the time are lost in translation. I’m extremely happy with a clear house and less items to dust every day thus making it extra easy to stop myself from buying things.

Single-use Plastic

Now this is more aligned with my attempt to leading a less-waste lifestyle but yes it has helped me much in saving money, and sending less and less trash into the oceans. But this takes time and change will not happen overnight but if you are looking for ways to eliminate disposable items from your household, here’s a quick guide for you and your family.

Snacks -The Munchies

And Woah! Did it help me get in shape or what! I belong to a family of kids who refuse to grow up when it comes to snacking. You would, at any given time, find at least 7 different kinds of snacks at my place. I no longer add any kind of sugar-based or oil-based treat to my cart and have noticed a sense of gratitude from my heart and body. Plus I save a tremendous amount of money along the way, every time, I say no to Pringles and Oreos.

Disposable Batteries

When you decide to settle for software and digital solutions you in turn make more, and more purchase in terms of batteries and chargers with all the power use. I have made a point of buying rechargeable batteries at home and in the office. They work just as good and you can find them in a variety of options. Less trash and more value.

Often when I share my minimalism journey with my friends or peers the very first thing they pick out of the entire story – is the investment. And I do not refute that at all. Few first-time investments are certain when you decide to opt for intentional living. But the key here is to remember that minimalism is a process. You do not have to turn around your entire life in a day. My advice is to take it easy. look at me, its been 6 years since I recycled my diaries but I still have a long way to go.

With minimalism you have the luxury to design your life of less and more. More of what you love and less of what you don’t. So breathe, decide and declutter.

And Good Luck!

Welcome to Plastic Free July and Zero Waste Lifestyle 101

Minimalism & Sustainability July 6, 2018

Two of my closest relations claim that I am not a Minimalist. And that is true because I’ve just begun and there is a long way to go.

I would say, I discovered this very approach to life probably in late 2014 but I continue to struggle with it till date. And my recent haul from Mango and Khaadi isn’t helping either. But I am opting to talk about my Minimalism journey for another day. Today, I am coming to you with a sense of realization that dawned on me just over a year ago.

My carbon footprint on planet Earth – a simple, straightforward thought but with consequences that transcend generations. I exert day and night to build a future for myself and my family but with my planet under threat – there wouldn’t be much of a future to work for.

As time passed, I learned more and more about the Zero Waste Lifestyle and with #PlasticFreeJuly here, I thought it would be best to indulge in this further.

What is a Zero Waste Lifestyle?

Above all, a zero waste lifestyle is simple living whereby an individual continues to reduce respective eco-footprint in the long run. The basic philosophy is designed around the practice of sending less and less trash to the landfills and the ocean.

Explore the “WHY” Behind it All

Before you even attempt to feel accountable for the trash you produce, you need to establish a “why” thus strengthening your zero or even less waste lifestyle passage.

This “why” has to be black and white because it in turn becomes your motive, it is exactly what keeps you going back to your commitment. Because trust me committing to such a lifestyle is like a crash diet, one weekend is all it takes and the rest is a blur.

For instance: Did you watch the sea turtle struggling with the plastic straw and it horrified you?

Did you notice all the single-use cutlery piled in the corner at the local food court?

For me it was my toothbrush, one humid morning, I stood there brushing my teeth and all of a sudden, I had an epiphany. It terrified me estimating the number of toothbrushes I threw in the garbage in my lifetime. And I knew I was onto something big.

Discovering the Zero Waste Lifestyle & the Obstacles

There I was hardly a Minimalist; just learning about the horrors of the oceans and now I find myself in a country where locating a compostable toothbrush was equal to finding an honest business partner – impossible.

Resourcing cleaner alternatives wasn’t even the hardest part!

If I had a dollar for every time, I politely asked the waiter to not add a plastic straw to my drink, well then let’s just say, I would have had enough for the vacation I just lost (another story, another day).

Producing awareness and relevant collateral is one thing and expecting people to understand and/or act on it is other. Drinks continued to pour in with plastic straws and a sweet, forgetful waitress helped me dispatch more plastic to the Indian Ocean.

I knew from day one, I wasn’t going to find a stainless steel straw or a package-free shampoo bar but what I didn’t realize is that I will have to protest my rights in favor of bringing in an empty, reusable cloth tote to the local supermarket. And I am not even exaggerating.

Asses, Prioritize & Replace – At a Turtle’s Pace

Instead of giving up entirely, I realized a basic mistake. Just because there is a hole in the ozone layer, it does not mean, everyone around me is suddenly going to help me save Mother Earth.

So, I went back to the drawing board and decided to start small. I read online that doing a ‘Trash Audit’ helps assess areas in need of improvement and I did just that. My trash mostly consisted of takeout packaging, leftovers, freebies and plastic water bottles. It was time for me to prioritize and focus on perhaps just a couple of areas and I took the most logical first step – refused freebies, marketing collateral and promotional merchandise. And made sure, I was carrying a reusable water bottle at all times.

I have contemplated creating my own toothpaste and mouthwash but I’ve been back and forth on the idea. If only ‘Package Free’ decides to open up in Pakistan. I did however convince my family to buy in bulk and avoid packaging as much as possible.

Minimalism & Being Zero Waste

I think the one step that benefited me the most in adapting to this new lifestyle is making sure to add or replace only when necessary. Something that is also fundamental to Minimalism. This automatically produces less trash and de-clutters life in general. But in doing so I also made a point of up-cycling as much as possible and not start throwing away like a crazy lady. The goal of zero waste living is to keep matter out of landfills. Just ask one of my best friends, I forced her to accept many of knick-knacks and even a part of my library.

Above all, I told myself that this is all a process, one step at a time and change will happen but not overnight. One must understand that everyone’s zero waste journey is different. Instead of weighing out triumphs, it is best to acquire inspiration and draw up your very own blueprint.

I learned to focus on one area at one time and take it from thereon. You just need a standpoint to pledge and soon a commitment turns into a habit and you will be saving Mother Earth in no time. For most of us, it is simply switching out bottled water with a reusable water bottle.

And if you are looking to start on your zero/less waste lifestyle or were taken back by the “Planet or Plastic” Cover of the National Geographic Magazine, here’s the ideal opportunity to start making a positive difference.

Welcome to PLASTIC FREE JULY

In the year 2011, a group of Australians came together to establish #PlasticFreeJuly and today it is a worldwide movement with participants from more than 150 countries worldwide. This year’s theme for the International Plastic-Free July campaign is “Beat Plastic Pollution” and you too can become a part of this revolutionary movement. After all a habit takes 21 days to form and after an entire month of saying no to plastic, you just might help clean up the oceans.

And this is precisely the starting point; you might be looking for and with the “International Plastic Bag Free Day” falling on Tuesday, July 03, 2018, you have every opportunity to promote more sustainable alternatives. I myself signed up, and received much literature and artwork to help me embark on my mission with clearer motives. Take the pledge today on plasticfreejuly.org and reduce the number of single-use plastics from your homes, office, and community.

Be part of this incredible transformation and contribute towards a safe tomorrow for our future generations.

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5 WAYS YOU CAN ADOPT RIGHT NOW TO GO GREEN (& SAVE MONEY)

Minimalism & Sustainability June 14, 2018

I don’t remember feeling accountable for the amount of trash I produce as an individual before I discovered Minimalism. And during my Minimalism journey, I was introduced to a concept generally known as the Zero Waste Lifestyle.

2 years in my Minimalism approach and I still cannot fathom how one can lead a complete zero waste lifestyle, although, I know a few on the Internet who do it quite successfully (check out Lauren Singer for some hardcore inspiration). But a few concerns still haunt me, I mean, what about the packaging that comes with meat and dairy products? Do only vegans get to live this approach? And how can you possibly avoid pharmaceutical trash? Do I give up on aspirin or ibuprofen for when I have the chums? I’ve yet to find answers for many concerns like so and I am myself just learning the basics of producing less and less trash.

Whether you are a minimalist or not, I sincerely believe that most of us would like to treat Mother Earth a little better. Perhaps you’ve never had a trash audit at your residence but most of us have freaked out a little after having seen those documentaries on Netflix or the Discovery channel. But sometimes, especially in a county like ours where alternatives are hard to find, going green isn’t always the easy choice.

Many of my friends and colleagues believe that an environmentally friendly lifestyle is just too expensive. And while I am not going to refute the stance, I am here with 5 inexpensive and easy ways to go green that will help you from day one in sending less and less trash to the landfills and our oceans. You can adopt most of these right away and I can promise you one thing, going green saves you money along the way, something you will realize when you start on your zero/less waste lifestyle journey.

Avoid Drinking Bottled Water

It doesn’t get more basic than this – when you purchase bottled water, it adds to plastic pollution causing more damage to the environment than one can imagine. Opting for a reusable water bottle will help you save money plus its all the more convenient and let’s admit it makes you look cooler.

Carry a Reusable Water Bottle to Work & Save on Bottled Water

In Pakistan, you’ve plenty of options to choose from including BPA free (a plastic linked to cancer) plastic water bottles, glass water bottler and stainless steel water bottles. One can easily shift to a reusable water bottle especially at the office or during those hot, humid days at the university.

Bonus Tip: While we are on the subject of reusing, wouldn’t it be the easiest thing ever to switch to a reusable cloth bag for your weekly groceries? Mother Earth will thank you for it.

Turn Everything Off

The easiest of them all and saves you plenty of energy and money along the way. When stepping out of a room, simply switch of all the electrical appliances including the ceiling fan, light bulbs and help contribute to the future of the planet.

Even unplugging your laptop or mobile devices once charged saves you energy and much room on monthly utilities.

Use the Cloth Line or a Laundry Drying Rack

Most of us have seen this as growing up as part of our household but many homes have now upgraded to dryers. The amount of energy a dryer takes up is immeasurable and quite frankly unnecessary.

By opting to dry your clothes using a traditional cloth line or even a contemporary laundry drying rack you will save a tremendous amount of energy. And plus the equipment will last you longer!

Say “NO” to Freebies

Everything from promotional pens to decorative party boxes will probably find a way to your rubbish bin even before completing a life cycle. Besides we all have enough mugs, pens, tees, caps and key chains to sustain one lifetime. By simply saying no to an unnecessary freebie, marketing giveaway or even an extravagant party favour, you will directly contribute towards creating less and less trash in the landfills.

You’ve Enough Pens & Notebooks to Last a Lifetime

Bonus Tip: Perhaps you say “no” to a plastic straw at your favourite restaurant next time and just sip away.

Avoid Gift Wrappings or Even Gifts Completely

I understand that half the fun of a gift comes with personalised gift wrappings, ribbons, bows, tags etc. but how about we change things up and chose not to wrap it in additional paper anymore? Perhaps you can present the gift itself in its natural state? Gift wrappings contribute to wastage of paper, say no and help save world’s trees. Or better yet chose to gift an experience instead of a tangible object. Trust me, your special someone will appreciate a day at the spa and your niece/nephew will cherish membership to the library for years to come.

Bonus Tip: Sometimes, it becomes difficult finding the right kind of experience in your local area, create an at-home experience, a baking/cooking day or a movie night in and that special time will prove to be far more valuable.

It would have been easier to suggest – switching to stainless steel straws and a biodegradable bamboo toothbrush. I would have asked all the ladies out there to switch to a menstrual cup and eliminate almost 12,000 pads/tampons per year from ending up in landfills. But I understand that finding these “cleaner” alternatives isn’t always that easy in the country. So, why not opt for easy, green choices we can make in our homes right away without breaking the bank!

And perhaps begin your Zero Waste Lifestyle journey today.

Am I Responsible for Hurricane Patricia?

Minimalism & Sustainability October 30, 2015

A week ago before my unfortunate ‘fall’ (FYI – I am bed-ridden owing to a lower-back injury), whilst flicking through channels, I landed on a news piece on Hurricane Patricia. A CNN documentary followed on the causes and the possible measures that can be taken to prevent further damages.

The documentary consisted of nothing new, facts and root causes that every human being on Earth is already familiar with. Our constant burning of fossil fuels, greenhouse gases, deforestation etc. culminate to the natural calamities our Mother Earth faces each year. And then all of a sudden, an unsettling thought entered my mind and I have not been able to shed it since. And today when my medications have permitted me some time with my senses, I want to share the thought with you all before I fell back into a medic-o-coma!

Are you all set to witness a horror we have conveniently ignored all our lives?

My name is Ifrah Waqar. I am a Book addict. And I am responsible for Hurricane Patricia (and every other natural disaster since the dawn of civilization). You are already well-briefed with the concept of planting more trees and how this mere act can help us save our planet. Trees help combat air pollution, conserve energy, save water, prevent soil erosion, and provide food and much, much more. But what we fail to comprehend is that every time, we visit a bookstore to purchase a single traditional, printed book, we cut down a tree from the face of the planet!

I have always debated against electronic books; the feel of a paperback in my hands is perhaps the greatest thrill in my life. And I simply cannot imagine my library reduced to a portable electronic device. But does this mean I am single-handedly involved in destroying my planet? My father (Bless His Soul) offered to buy me a Kindle and I refused. I have a tablet and access to multiple ebooks but I always prefer to buy my paperbacks.

Does this mean that each time, I choose to buy a traditional book, I contribute to global warming? Are all bookworms around the world responsible for the hole in the ozone layer? Is the global demand for books which we consider to be progress directly proportional to the number of lives lost around the globe to disasters like Hurricane Patricia?

I often claim to recycle which I do actually. I try to conserve water while washing or bathing. I conserve electricity. Even my office uses recycled paper but is that enough against the hundreds of books I hoard in my room?

Haunting? Isn’t it?

Perhaps this is just my conscious talking in the wake of horrors of Hurricane Patricia or the recent Heat Wave? But all this has certainly convinced me to reconsider ebooks.

Is the joy of picking out a paperback and feeling it under my skin worth another Tsunami?

Is calling a library of over a 1000 books worth disrupting the North Atlantic Current?

I know buying one less book will not do much for global warming but its a start right?

I ask you all: Are we Bookworms responsible for Global Warming? *wishes she is wrong*