01/20/2019
Some honest (and long) talk. I have this thought process that feels pretty paralyzing sometimes. It affects my mood, slows down my life, and feels like it seriously hinders my business. I'm constantly overthinking my impact on the world around me, knowing I'm not doing enough to curb my own pollution and feeling under-informed about the best ways to mitigate the situation.
I've wanted to share the journey of trying to build a sustainability-focused brand with Wayward Kin. But I freeze up seeing all the ways I'm not doing enough, not to mention completely second guessing if making clothing is not just the worst thing I could do. Contributing to an industry already flush with poor quality and unethical labour practices. Even if my products are made differently, don't we already have enough options? So, I go radio silent as I try to navigate the newest fluorescent red flag I see in my own brand.
For some openness - right now, that hurdle is the 45% recycled polyester in my garments. I wanted h**p, and the best I could find (so far) was a blend of h**p and recycled poly. Don't get me wrong, that's pretty damn cool (upcycled pop bottles turned into clothing!) But I know I can do better.
In my personal life, I also see aspects that I need to change. Habits of engrained consumerism that I would like to adjust. Events and clean-ups I would like to attend, and many I do partake in. Then, I see a car behind me in the ferry lineup left running for over an hour just for the comfort of the owner. I experience ordering a smoothie and bringing my own stainless bottle to use only to have it left by the staff on the counter and handed a plastic cup. These things happen and I wonder what the point is when I can't do so much as I'd like and others don't seem to care in the slightest.
I've been thinking a lot about this lately, and actively trying to bring more positivity to my mindset. As I look at how to grow Wayward Kin into something more, or halt it and move on. I want to grow this business, as a sharing tool to hopefully inspire others and as a motivator for me to know that change is possible. Right now, that means learning how to make positive change in the fashion world, one step at a time.
I also want to be more open on my journey with sustainability and share in it with others. Soโฆ if there is something you want to learn about, please ask me. If you know of better alternatives to things I am doing, please share them with me. If you just want to geek out with me, please do. My goal for 2019 is to be a better human for the planet, myself, and all the beautiful people I'm sharing this experience with. โจ๐
Thanks for reading this, if any crazy folks got to the end.