What’s going on in sustainability:

Ah, the holidays are upon us. As I’ve said, this is my first fall in many years where I am living in one place in the north, and I’ve been soaking up every little bit the holidays have to offer. But even though I feel that I’ve really settled down, I still feel a bit like a traveler as I watch the people around me respond to the holidays. In my experience this season, I can come up with three generalizations. There are the people who do a preemptive check out of the whole stress, there are the people who partake and the season becomes more of a burden than a celebration, and then there is the example I’d like to offer, the person who participates fully and loves every minute of it.

It’s no surprise that many who handle the holidays so well partake in a sustainably minded lifestyle. However, I am surprised by the people who do live sustainably eleven months out of the year, and then freak out for one month, even if they still are not going to the mall. If you read this blog and you find yourself in the latter category, here are a few things to remember.

1. It is completely okay to slack off at work and focus more on family and friends right now. Unless you have a job where people’s lives depend on you, like an ER surgeon, most of us are still evolutionarily wired to wind down at this time. Some look at the solstices as a mystical time sanctioned by the Gods, others, don’t think of it at all. But in the simplest terms, the solstice represents the peak of the Earth’s death and rebirth. The days become the shortest of the year, the winter chill has just fully set in, and this month of celebration was invented to take a break from the constant motion of the harvest, and prepare mentally for the strains of winter. The people who have cut themselves off from the cycles of the earth in their temperature controlled environments and non local, convenience based food chains have a tough time accepting their natural inclinations to not want to do anything right now except celebrate with loved ones, eat food and have a few drinks. This natural want coupled with our society’s constant emphasis on production creates an anxious malaise for people who just want to relax.

2.  The convenience of buying gifts actually creates more strain. If you read this blog, I imagine you are in the flow of trying to buy all of your gifts locally and sustainably. But as you scower your city and town trying to find ethically made shoes or recycled journals for stocking stuffers, I imagine that you feel more stressed than if you just did a one day sweep through the mall. But since our consciences won’t allow for such a short cut, but you are still finding it too forced to enjoy the thrift store adventures or connections you make at local shoppes, take a break. Spend a night blowing off the holiday party you really don’t feel like going to or the yoga class that will be there in the New Year, get out the craft supplies and your creativity, and make a few gifts. This year I’ve canned pears, brewed beer, made wine and will be making bath salts. Granted, my work and living situation is in general much less stressful than people with 9-5’s, but I still have to make time in my schedule. I usually spend these nights inside, with a few friends and a few drinks, and just have fun. Just pick a few small, homemade gifts you can make in bulk and give them out to your friends and co-workers. It will save you money, stress, and let you stretch your creative muscles that may have been cramping as you’ve just put in a good year of work.

3. Make the season a full experience, not just the last week. Round here at the homestead, I started my ideas and gift making right after Thanksgiving. As I said, I keep this whole month mellow to reenergize for the New Year and enjoy friends and family. Even if you follow steps one and two, waiting until the week before Christmas will do you no favors. Remember, sustainability is a lifestyle, one that should be savored slowly and mindfully. Hopefully these tips will encourage you to take a break and enjoy every moment as the nights of Hannukah pass, Christmas comes and goes, Kwannza begins, or you celebrate the solstice any way you please.

Until next week, this is the note from the Urban Homestead.