How to Make Daily Life more Meaningful

When I hear the word 'activism,' my mind conjures images like an angry fist, people chanting and marching the streets, or chaining themselves to trees in front of a bulldozer.

However, over time, I've realized how our small choices every day can be a powerful form of activism that can create a huge impact.

According to The Oxford Review, activism is "the practice of taking action to affect social, political, economic, or environmental change."

It isn't all protesting and lobbying. It doesn't have to be time-consuming or complicated.

In fact, a simple lifestyle is at the core of being an activist. Promoting a healthier, safer world for all means getting back to our roots.

Activism is Integration & Higher Consciousness

To be an activist is to marry logic and heart. It's an integration of emotion, thought, and values. It's higher consciousness. It requires active listening, critical thinking, empathy, and thoughtful consideration.

Let's break it down:

When you learn about an issue that moves you and what causes it, you decide to behave in a way that aligns with your values and newfound knowledge.

i.e. You don't continue doing something harmful once you learn it is harmful. Or you promote something beneficial once you learn it's helpful. (Both logical and emotional decision-making).

You are more conscious and about the consequences of certain actions, how it makes you/others feel, and hopefully what you can do about it.

Let's give an easy example:

You learn a fish farm in the next town is creating toxic levels of pollution in the river you like to swim in. So, you stop buying fish from that business and encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same. Simple activism at work.

You may decide to protest in louder ways, maybe even take legislative action against that fish farm. Its up to you how much you want to invest.

The point is, we don't wait for somebody else to make the change because we know it's our responsibility and in our power to make the change ourselves, no matter how little or big the shift.

That means EVERY decision we make EVERYDAY becomes meaningful. We become fully aware that with every action comes a reaction. Every cause has its effect.

Activism in Daily Life

How do we incorporate these principles in our everyday?

1. Stay Educated & Teach Each Others

   Yes...how attractive the idea of running off to a far corner of the forest, building a faerie cabin and forgetting about the world....

   
   

   But, although we can achieve a degree of escape for a time, the world is always out there waiting for us. We are still one human family. And this is the only earth we've got.

   
   

   So, first and foremost, we listen if someone or something is in distress and learn if we don't understand. Then, when we do understand, we impart that knowledge further so change can be made. It's how we evolve...and survive.

   
   

   Beware of Big Brother. We must nurture our capacity to critically think and be open-minded, active listeners.

   
   

   Be careful about where we get information and what media we consume. I can't stress enough the importance of checking sources and determining bias, truth-bending, an ulterior motive, etc...especially in the age of click-bait, AI, and bots.

   
   

   Try not to get bogged down with information. I know, it's hard. Take everything from social media with a grain of salt.

   
   

   And if it all seems overwhelming, start with your home town. Whether its food pantries, gardening, education, or environmental cleanup, you're sure to find action around your community.

   
   

2. Understand the Power of Your Dollar

   You vote into existence the world you want by where you spend your money.
   

   If you prefer locally-owned shops and eateries, skip the food-chains and corporate-stores that run them out of business.

   
   

   If intensive animal agriculture turns your stomach, cut back or stop supporting store-bought animal products. Get your eggs from a neighbor's backyard chickens, go hunting and fishing, or seek out a more reputable meat and dairy source. If the waste and unethical labor practices of the fast-fashion industry upset you, avoid places like Shein, H&M, and Zara. Instead browse thrift stores, Poshmark, & sustainable small-businesses. Or organize clothing swaps with friends!

   
   
   
   

   

   
   
   
   

   I could go on and on about the many ways you can change the world by being conscious about where you buy (or trade!).

   
   

   But don't expect to be perfect. Just cutting back and knowing when your supporting something you don't agree with is a step in the right direction.

   
   

   When we wake up to the power we possess, especially when we band together, nothing is impossible.

3. Whenever You Can, Buy Second-Hand or Small Business

   There is so much stuff in the world.

   
   

   And I know it's convenient to get next-day shipping with the click of a button where all your credit card info is auto-filled....

   
   

   But ask yourself: do I need this to be manufactured new?

   
   

   Would somebody be reselling it?

   
   

   Is it worth the environmental and ethical cost of supporting big business?

   
   

   When I started macrame, I thought, "I bet someone out there picked this up as a hobby and lost interest." Low-and-behold, a few people in my town posted brand-new supplies on FB Marketplace that had been sitting in their house collecting dust - for way cheaper. Score!

   
   

   Most towns have a community Facebook page where you can post about items you're looking for, selling, or giving away. You can usually learn about garage sales and house clean-outs there, too.

   
   

   Other places to look include Ebay, Etsy, Poshmark, local thrift stores and more!

   
   

4. Grow a Vegetable Garden

   One of the most powerful forms of activism is growing your own food.

   
   

   Being able to feed ourselves and our community means independence from the corporate food system that is killing our soil, our bees, our health, & our planet.

   
   

   Gardening is exercise, meditative, therapeutic, & productive. It builds community, provides healthy organic food, deepens our connection to nature, and much more.

   
   

   New to gardening? There is almost always a local community garden where you can help out, meet like-minded people, and get free veggies, flowers, & herbs.

   
   

   So, if you don't have the knowledge or means for your own garden yet, maybe you can learn a thing or two from volunteering or helping out in a friend's garden.

   

   
   

You Can Do This

Life can feel...complicated. Its a fast-paced, information-dense world that just keeps getting...more unhinged.

In a time when convenience and hyper-productivity rule, I challenge you to choose slowness. Choose creativity. Choose abundance.

Start small. You don't have to be everything at once. Take care of yourself. Take breaks. Nurture that connection with nature & spirit. The rest will follow.

Finally, when you get push back, don't be discouraged. Unfortunately, we can't expect everyone to care deeply about what we care about or share the same level of humanity in our heart.

Keep feeling deeply, using your voice, and doing what matters to you.