Why I am signing up for a year of ethical fashion

Image via Pip Lincolne, Meat Me at Mikes

I love Pip Lincolne, I find her funny and honest and interesting. She makes stuff, reads stuff, thinks stuff and shares it all with the world. So when I saw her posting about ethical fashion I was intrigued. Post Google Reader I am still getting to grips with Feedly and I haven't stayed as on top of my favourite blogs as I used to. 

Pip was writing about the ethics, or lack thereof, behind so much of fashion. Inspired (or horrified) by the Bangladeshi clothing factory disaster Pip was taking pause and asking about her own contribution, all of our contributions really, to the industry that ultimately resulted in that tragedy last year.

This is an area I have previously felt very uncomfortable about in my own life. I've picked up $3 and $5 t-shirts from K-Mart. I've grabbed that bargain in Target, and have purchased in many of the big name outlets that were implicated in the incident. While I shop rarely for clothes, compared to some, I do shop and I don't always ask good questions about what I am buying in the area of fashion. I started to think about why.

Firstly I really do detest shopping so I limit how often I do it, which often results in a last minute "oh I need such and such" rather than a more thoughtful search and spend.

Secondly as a sewer I often look at things and think, I could make that. Except of course I don't. And even if I did get around to it, there are still questions to be asked about the fabric and notions I use to produce my own garments.

Thirdly, I don't think I have a natural sense of style. So to a certain extent I find it easier to buy into the capsule collections put together for me by others. I am, to be frank, rubbish at op shopping.

Fourthly like anyone I love a bargain, and I don't like spending a lot of money on clothes (shoes are a different story, always invest in your feet, and your teeth).

But this push for cheap, wear it once chuck it out fashion, just doesn't sit well with my values. As someone who works in sustainability I know that someone, probably lots of someones, is getting screwed in the supply chain so I can pick up a $3 t-shirt at K-mart for one of the boys. I also know how much I've loved and valued the network of clothes-sharing others in my life that mean my youngest son is usually dressed in well loved hand me downs. And of course how much I love wearing, and watching my sons wear, something I've made.

So I'm signing up for the Year of Ethical Fashion. I expect it to be hard. But who doesn't like a challenge. If you are interested you can sign up here.

Twelve in Twelve - turning words into action

So earlier this month I reflected on my three words for 2014 - Well Being, AccountAbility and Explore. To keep me honest and to try and bring those words alive each month I am also trying out the 12 in 12 idea. 

So many people have taken this idea of focusing on one thing each month - whether it is Gretchen Ruben's Happiness Project, Leo Babauta's Year of Living Without and many others. I like the idea of tackling one thing at a time and really focusing on it. So I've created my own list. I couldn't quite come up with a full year's worth but I came pretty close. So each month I've identified three words to help me keep on track with the big three.

January is nearly over and if I am honest I think I did a passing job at using my three words to keep me motivated and on track. Because we had people staying to the middle of the month and then went to Bali for the last two weeks of the month I always knew it would be challenging.

I think I scraped a passing mark for my first word - Move. I knew committing to a specific exercise or eating plan would be challenging so instead I tried to focus on adding more movement to my every day. Whether that was standing during phone calls, walking to the local shops, or attending a yoga class, I tried to be more mobile. And mostly I think that worked.

My big fail was my AccountAbility word - Debt. I really wanted to tackle some issues around debt and cash flow and while some progress was made it was much, much less than I could have achieved. A sign that I still let the money fear take hold. Add some unexpected expenses and this one was pretty much a wipe out.

My third was Bali. Usually when I travel to Bali for work that is all I do, work. But this time I was taking my family and we really wanted to explore what Bali had to offer to us all. I feel really satisfied with this one. A space to watch.

So to my focus words for February: Dry, Deliver, Make. 

After the excesses of the holidays I'm going to give the booze a break. It's not like I've been knocking it back by the gallon but those summer night beers do come at a hefty calorie price. So I'll be saying no to alcohol for the month.

Delivering on my commitments, finishing tasks on time, that's my AccountAbility focus this month. I have some projects that have lagged and they need to step up a gear this month. And so do I.

In February I'll be heading away on craftcation with my lovely craft group friends. I'm going to be sewing for myself which will be a treat and hopefully knocking off a few unfinished projects. After a month of not making, and hardly even cooking, I'm looking forward to an emphasis on making my own things.

I'll be trying to keep Move, Debt and Bali in mind too, the idea being that the words build up slowly over the course of the year, that each month's fresh emphasis or focus keeps you engaged in the greater goal. We'll see how it goes. How do you keep your New Year's Resolutions or goals alive all year round? 

My Three Words for 2014

Inspired by Chris Brogan's approach to "resolutions" and reading and thinking I've done over the last year and more I've identified my own three words for 2014.  Based on average life expectancy it is fair to say I am at or have just passed the middle of my life.  What do I want to do with the next 40 years? How will my life be different, better, remembered? And what life lessons am I modelling for my children? 

These are the questions I had in mind while trying to think of my three words. In large part I was motivated by a feeling that I've mostly been "winging it" through life and I don't want to do that anymore. I want to make conscious choices that lead me down a desired path. I want to get stuff done. I don't want to look back and say 'if only...'  And as it happens some interesting opportunities have been placed in my path in 2014 that require me to make clear choices. Not just for myself but for our whole family.  

Following Chris's model I've set out my big story, vision and goals. Turning those into plans and milestones and getting them into the daily calendar is the next step. In the past I haven't really looked beyond the year ahead of me. At how acting on resolutions would get me where I want to go. I've tried to be more aware of that, more mindful, this time.  And by writing them down, in this way, here, I am hoping to instigate some level of accountability, a key focus this year. So here goes:

The Big StoryContributing to a more sustainable way of living personally, at home, in my community and globally.

VisionThat every day I contribute in some way to ensuring or enabling a way of life for myself and others that does not harm or degrade the environment, contributes to social justice, and is economically viable.

GoalsWell Being: I will be a fitter, healthier me, mentally and physically at the end of 2014. For me this is about exercising daily and eating better (more fruit and veg, less 'white food', more nuts and seeds). But it also about being more calm mentally, about being present and mindful. And about taking the time to care for myself; making and keeping regular appointments for example.

AccountAbility: In 2013 I got stretched too thin. Work took over, everything else got sidelined and because I lost grip on the wheel I failed to deliver on promises I made to myself and others. This goal is about reversing that. It's about delivering on my potential. About ensuring I keep promises or commitments I make to myself, my family, friends, colleagues and others. It is about getting things done.  It is also about tackling a constant thorn in my side, my financial health.  This is the year to lose the money fear. To learn basic business accounting. To get my Super in order and to carve out that future house buying plan.

Explore: When life gets crazy busy I bunker down. I don't want to go anywhere or do anything. I just want to coccoon myself away and try and work my way out.  This year I want to open up to new opportunities, experiences, places and people. I want to learn more - about myself, how to do things, other cultures, languages - and I want to visit new places in Australia and elsewhere. I also want to explore solutions to our sustainability challenges as a family, indeed to explore and set our goals as a family too.

So there they are, my three words for 2014: Well Being, AccountAbility, Explore. What do you want in the year ahead?