Indulging in an excessive array of sugary and salty foods leaves our taste buds in a state of numbed oblivion.
As a result, we find it harder to enjoy the natural flavors of healthier foods.
Sugar addiction by wayhomestudio on Freepik
It’s a vicious cycle, really: The more sweets and salty foods we consume, the less we taste, so we crave even more of them to feel satisfied. Artificial sweeteners and sucrose activate the brain’s natural reward pathway like drugs, releasing dopamine.
From a health point of view, resetting your taste buds will decrease your cravings for sweets and salty foods, thus leading to better eating habits.
But most importantly, resetting your taste buds will lead to a more nutrient-dense diet. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, green proteins, herbs and spices offer a wide range of essential nutrients that contribute to overall health and well-being.
“So How Can I Reset my Taste Buds ?”
That’s the million dollar question, with a 0 dollar solution: Intermittent Fasting.
Intermittent Fasting is the fastest way to good health.
In fact, did you know fasting is used as a method to reverse cancer and tumor growth ?
Dr. Sebi and now Chris Beat Cancer, among many others, talks about it a lot on his podcast. I highly recommend his content for health freaks and people who want to learn more about holistic medicine as a cure for cancer.
Think about it: Do you ever feel hungry when you’re sick ? No, no you don’t. Eating is the last thing I want to do when I’m sick. It’s ironic because, even though society (and our parents) often encourage us to eat for energy and to combat illnesses, it always feels like we’re going against our natural instincts.
It’s fascinating because the likes of Kelloggs, Nestle, Mickey Dee’s did such a great advertising job and so much brainwashing that we now think eating 3 to 4 times a day is normal. It’s the healthy way to be.
From Happy Meals to morning cereals and lunch menus, we are constantly bombarded with messages telling us to consume more. More of everything, but let’s stick to food.
Consuming three meals a day is taxing to the body. It overloads your digestive system. In other words, your digestive system is often living three days in just one.
That’s why our societies are now ridden with illness and all sorts of diseases. That’s why the numbers of SADS, or Sudden Adult Death Syndrome are increasing as time progresses. Of course, that and some other factors, including but not limited to the quality of food we eat.
How to Stay Healthy Today
Stop taxing your digestive system and your body.
Intermittent Fasting, proper hydration and the right foods can change your life. Literally, not figuratively.
Intermittent Fasting and a balanced diet can help you keep a healthy weight, detach yourself from addictions and sleep well/better.
Now, as for breaking your fast with a meal, another good rule of thumb is to have your first meal when the sun is the highest in the sky, and to stop eating when the sun goes down. This obviously changes depending on the seasons, as the sun sets much later in the summer.
To start your Intermittent Fasting journey, start slow, perhaps with a 14:10 or 16:8 method, then walk your way back to an ideal of 18:6.
I have been on the 18:6 method for several years. This means that I abstain from eating for 18 hours, then eat during the following 6. I usually eat between 2PM (first meal) and 8PM (last meal). I don’t snack in between, except when I’m at the beach ^^
My favorite snacks are fresh fruits and dry fruits. I love oats as well, so at times I just make myself a bowl of oats with oat milk and a bunch of dried fruits (apricots, berries, nuts etc.).
Intermittent Fasting allows the body to properly detoxify itself with the help of your liver (hence the importance of hydration), thus self-healing.
Final Thoughts
I started this piece with the idea of resetting your taste buds, Intermittent Fasting is the way to go, but don’t forget your bitters and your ginger drink.
Jamaicans (and Rastafarians) who practice the Ital diet will tell you that ginger drinks are extremely important to detoxify the body, and they’re right.
Americans spend $1.2 trillion annually on nonessential goods — in other words, items they do not need — The Wall Street Journal.
For most people, home has become the place where they store their stuff.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the clutter in your living space?
Is it a challenge for you to locate items or decide what to wear?
Are you occasionally faced with a shortage of hangers?
Does the sight of your closet alone make you feel tired?
Does it take an excessive amount of time to tidy up your home?
Would relocating from your current residence require multiple utility trucks?
If you find yourself answering “yes” to any of these questions, here are the likely culprits for this draining situation.
Note: The following examples and numbers paint a jarring picture of excessive consumption and unnecessary accumulation. Clearly, many of us have far too much stuff.
Food storage containers
How many containers does one need ? Research says 6 to 10 containers per person, we’ve got 3 in our home, for 2 persons.
It’s shocking to me that people hoard these things. Some accumulate them to the point of overflowing cupboards, it’s madness !
Wouldn’t it be great if neighborhoods and buildings provided a designated space where people can share their surplus containers, allowing others to utilize them as needed ? This would help curb the unnecessary purchase of food containers and promote a more sustainable approach to storage.
Note: This doesn’t apply if you meal prep, which is awesome by the way.
Pens
I think there are enough pens in the world and we must cease to produce pens anymore, till we finish the ones we have.
Most people don’t use pens anyway.
Auto tools
You don’t need ten wrenches, Bob ! Seriously, you don’t. One is enough, two is MAX, unless you’re a mechanic.
And just like with containers, I wholeheartedly believe neighborhoods and buildings must provide a space where people can share their tools.
I got mine when I was building my Campervan. I’m more than happy to share them with others.
Reusable shopping bags
Reusable shopping bags are the new plastic bags.
A massive scam.
People collect those even more than they did plastic bags, because they paid more for them.
The problem ? Reusable bags require more plastic, energy and fabric to make.
Forgot your bag at home ? It’s okay, just grab what you can carry. You won’t die of hunger, and it’ll train you to think about your bag next time.
Also, always leave a reusable bag in your bike/car or coat.
Better yet, we must promote the introduction of returnable bags. They have those here in France, they cost 15c each (pricey), which is refunded back to you when you return them.
In fact, we don’t have ANY bags at home, reusable or otherwise. We operate with returnable bags only (and my backpack if need be).
Handbags
Why do people even buy those ? When did this trend begin ?
Since around 1500 AD, handbags have been an essential part of everyday life for both men and women.
It wasn’t until the post-war economic period of the 1950s that handbags were propelled into a cult status.
Can we go back in time ?
To those of you who own a thousand and one bag, you only need ONE, two tops.
It kills me to notice people, particularly women, having an extensive collection in their closets and consistently using the same old handbag. Sell them !
Backpacks
Why would anyone purchase a new backpack if they still have the old one? Aesthetics? Boredom? Maybe a size or quality upgrade?
Whatever the case may be, how about you retire the old one (by giving it to charity) before purchasing a new one ? Just an idea.
Coats
What do you need THREE coats for? It’s not like you can wear them simultaneously, right ? Think about it.
Vases (and other decorative objects)
I don’t even know why vases exist, such a waste of energy, materials and space in my opinion. I like my flowers in a garden, but to each their own.
Toys
British research found that the average 10-year-old owns 238 toys but plays with just 12 daily — The Telegraph.
3.1% of the world’s children live in America, but they own 40% of the toys consumed globally — UCLA.
Need I say more ?
Let your kids play outside, run around, play sports. Some toys help children develop their curiosity and learn about the world, which I’m all for, long as we buy them USED. There are enough toys out in the world that’ll never see the light of day ever again, and even more toys in landfills. Enough !
Let’s stop wasting resources and start thinking differently. By the way, gifts don’t always have to be NEW.
Kitchenware
Perhaps I’m a bit extreme but I only have one single plate, and my wife has one too. A couple of bowls and a mug complete our tableware set ^^
If you’re the type to host lots of gatherings and parties, it makes sense that you have more, but we don’t really, so that’s that.
That said, there are billions of used plates and bowls (and other kitchenware) in the world. Stop buying those at IKEA, flea markets are where it’s at !
Note: We only own one mug because I love drinking out of my 34Oz reusable bottle. Easier to keep track of my water intake that way, and less “stuff” to clutter our home.
Furniture
Nightstands, bed frames (unless absolutely necessary, like for people with bad knees), shelves, chairs, TV stands, coat racks and everything in between. We don’t own any of this stuff and we’re extremely happy with our lives.
Don’t clutter your sanctuary with useless furniture. It costs money, it’s heavy to carry, it makes cleaning more annoying and most of it serves no real purpose.
Empty spaces don’t always need to be filled.
Hangers
If you don’t have enough hangers for your clothes, you have too many clothes.
It’s time to stop buying new and to get rid of all that excess.
By the same token, this logic also applies to closet space: If you don’t have enough space in your closet, you have too much of whatever you’re trying to store in there. Declutter.
Clothes
Speaking of which, we all have too many clothes. I don’t even have to know you to say this.
The average American woman owns 30 outfits — one for every day of the month. In 1930, that figure was nine — Forbes.
Also:
The average American throws away 65 pounds of clothing per year — Huffington Post.
Need I say more ? Sort that stuff out, have just what you need.
Each year, we produce as many clothes as humans have ever existed on Earth. Over 100 billion, for 8 billion people living.
TVs
Why would anyone need an iPad, an iPhone, a MacBook AND a TV ?
Some homes have more television sets than people, it’s crazy ! For me it’s a sign of civilizational decline. It hurts to think nowadays.
Americans spend more on shoes, jewelry, and watches ($100 billion) than on higher education — Psychology Today.
Besides, it’s also time to refocus our attention on how energy consuming TVs are to make and to use.
That aside, we must also find new solutions to FIX them. It makes no sense that fixing an appliance costs as much as buying a new one, it really doesn’t.
Also, we’ve reached a point where TVs are slim enough and smart enough that we hardly need more quality, so why are we pushing for more ? What’s the point ? Most TVs today offer 4K quality, which is already too much.
Want to enjoy a GREAT movie ? Go watch it in a movie theatre. Otherwise, your laptop is more than enough for your late night lullaby.
Offsite storage units
If you live in an apartment, a house or anywhere in between and feel the NEED to have an offsite storage unit, you have a problem.
Your stuff isn’t supposed to take up that much space. If you can’t contain it, get rid of it.
Grooming and hygiene products
People have dozens of shampoos, body lotions, shower gels, and an array of other “beauty” products in their bathrooms. It’s hell !
The multitude of these items cluttering up drawers creates a sense of disorder, disarray and mental fatigue.
But I get it. The “latest and greatest” always looks better. Packaging is always evolving, and marketers work hard to make us buy more.
However, we’ve all been blessed with a sense of logic and reason. Often times, these shiny new objects don’t live up to our expectations. Instead, they end up abandoned in drawers, collecting dust.
They’re also a waste of money and resources, and are likely to end up in landfills or worse, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Think before you buy.
Note: I personally use a single natural, organic, vegan and local bar of soap to wash my hair, my face and the rest of my body. My wife and I also share a natural Shea butter bar to keep our skin healthy and hydrated.
Aloe Vera is another great option for the skin but is often sold in plastic, so we don’t buy it.
As for oral hygiene, I use my Miswak during the day and baking soda to brush my teeth after meals. My wife often uses solid toothpaste (sono plastic in our home).
Non-refillable toiletries
Plastic bottles (of all sorts) must be illegal by now. Plastic shampoos and shower gels must be the first ones to go.
I strongly believe that refillable toiletries are the way to a more sustainable future, and I advocate for a higher initial cost when purchasing them.
A higher price point would discourage people from disposing of these items after use, encouraging greater reusability and reducing waste.
Travel size toiletries
People don’t even travel that much, the fact they steal (or borrow permanently) travel size toiletries to keep them in their bathrooms is beyond me.
The greater the usage, the higher the production rate of any particular item. Supply and demand. If we want to eradicate plastic, we must stop financing and promoting the plastic industry.
For those who already have travel size toiletries, don’t toss them. Instead, put them in your shower and use them.
Better yet, give your toiletries to a local homeless shelter or women’s shelter that accepts them. It’ll lighten your load and help someone in need at the same time.
Humans
Yeah, there are way too many humans on this planet.
Final Word
Presently, North America and Western Europe, comprising merely 12% of the global population, contribute to 60% of private consumption spending.
In contrast, the combined population of South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for one-third of the world’s pop, represents a mere 3.2% of private consumption spending. (Worldwatch Institute).
Do you see the problems here ?
It’s not just that we overconsume in the West, because that’s a given. But what will happen when South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa starts consuming as much as we do ?
Because they’re coming, and they want everything we have. After all, why would they not ? Many people look up to this absurdity and want the same for themselves.
Consumerism, fashion and flex culture will be the death of us. They are a sign of the dumbing of our current generation. After all, there are more shopping malls than high schools in America, and 93% of teenage girls rank shopping as their favorite pastime (Affluenza).
CBD: Smoke it, drink it, use it however you want, CBD will definitely help you relax and fall asleep easily.
Sleep mask: Unless your room is PITCH BLACK, you need one of these. Light is the enemy of sleep, so get yourself a sleeping mask. You’ll thank me later. FYI, get ready to start dreaming for real !
Stop eating three hours before bed. That’s right, three full hours ! You know what’s the best part about this ? By doing so, you will inadvertently start your Intermittent Fasting journey. Our digestive systems need at least 12 full hours of rest, give it to them, your health will thank you for it !
Weighted blankets: They provide a calming effect and promote better sleep by increasing feelings of comfort and security. They also help reduce anxiety, don’t ask me how, I couldn’t tell you.
Warming your feet before bed, either with a warm foot bath or by wearing warm socks, helps dilate blood vessels and signal to your body that it’s time to sleep. I bet you didn’t know this one !
Experiment with sleep positions: For example, sleeping on your left side alleviates acid reflux symptoms (but ditching dairy will eliminate those symptoms altogether, for good), while elevating your legs slightly improves circulation and reduces leg and back pain. I sleep on my back first, then turn. I like stretching my backbone before bed as well, hence my first position.
Sleep in a cool room: Do keep your feet warm, though. Studies have shown that keeping your bedroom cool (around 65°F or 18°C) promotes better sleep. Our room is often cooler than that in the winter.
Use pink noise (I looked up why it’s call pink noise, I still don’t get it): This ambient noise has a soothing effect and drowns out other sounds that may disrupt your sleep.
Try aromatherapy: Certain scents like lavender, chamomile, or vanilla have a calming effect and promote sleep. They also create a relaxing atmosphere, which is paramount to sleep well.
My favorite of all: Practice lucid dreaming techniques: These techniques allow me to become aware and almost control my dreams. Lucid dreaming has definitely enhanced my sleep experience and made it more restful, and fun. Yes, sleep can be fun too.
Final Thoughts
There is no such thing as insomnia. These tips, in addition to the ones in my previous article will help anyone to a good night’s sleep.
By the way, not dreaming enough has been shown to lead to illness and depression, and you can’t dream if you’re not getting proper sleep consistently.
This article is about a NeuroScientific (and neuromarketing) concept you never knew existed !
Our brains have this exceptional ability to act as a mirror. This ability is made possible thanks to what we call “mirror neurons”.
Mirror neurons are a type of brain cell responsible for mirroring or simulating the actions of others.
The knowledge of these neurons is relatively recent. In fact, it wasn’t until the 90s that researchers first identified mirror neurons in macaque monkeys.
And what they found was fascinating !
Mirror neurons were found to activate when a monkey performed a specific action, such as grasping a piece of food.
However, the same neurons also activated when the monkey watched another monkey (or a human) perform the same action.
It was unexpected.
The Point
These incredibly cool neurons are said to play an important role in our ability to imitate and learn from others, as well as in our ability to empathize with and understand the intentions of others.
And to be honest, it makes perfect sense.
For instance, I realized very early on that my proficiency in learning new languages was attributed (in part) to my habit of mimicking the language patterns and communication styles of native speakers.
In fact, even when my knowledge of a language is limited, I make a conscious effort to replicate the way words and phrases are pronounced, rather than how they are written and spelled.
By “mirroring” others, I learned 10X faster than before, and I hardly forget anything. I can also sound “native” if I want to, in any language that I speak.
This strategy has been instrumental for me. Becoming fluent in six different languages and comfortable in a couple more didn’t happen overnight, but with the right tactic, language-learning can be a piece of cake.
Check out this little 3-minute clip if you wish to understand how it works.
With that being said, the effect of mirror neurons isn’t just limited to what we see or what we hear, our brain can even experience vicarioustouch through others.
Perhaps this explains the boom of ASMR and the porn industry?
New technologies like Virtual Reality are already using the power of our mirror neurons to their advantage, and perhaps ours, as well.
For instance, VR is now used to help us fight certain mental illnesses and cure certain phobias.
VR can obviously never substitute real life, but it could potentially help many of us heal from certain things.
The Dark Side
As an ethical marketer, I must mention this.
In the world of marketing, understanding vicarious touch and mirror neurons has been a game changer.
Instead of designing ads and products blindly, we now purposely target your subconscious mind.
Doing so allows us to create more engaging and memorable experiences for our audience, thus driving up sales and clicks.
We call this The Vicarious Haptic Effect in Digital Marketing.
So instead of making commercials that focus on the product alone, big corporations and marketers now hire actors and tap into all your senses to deliberately activate mirror neurons in you, the viewer.
There are numerous other tactics to trigger buying, here are a couple I’ve used in the past:
Product packaging: Mirror neurons can even be triggered through packaging. In fact, the texture and feel of product packaging evoke more tactile sensations in consumers than they know. For example, a package with a soft, velvety texture creates the impression of luxury and comfort, while a clear, matte packaging evokes warmth and superior quality.
Audio-visual experiences: Videos, music, podcasts and other types of media can evoke sensations of touch through sound and image. These techniques have long been used in the entertainment industry and in adverts to shape culture as a whole.
Scented products: Products that smell cut grass or mint create the sensation of coolness, while the the smell of lavender provides us with a sense of warmth and reminds us of our childhood (and possibly grandparents). Yes, smell is also used to drive up sales, but can only be used in physical businesses (for now).
Understanding human behavior allows us to look at ourselves with more depth.
Understanding ourselves doesn’t just make us wiser, it actually improves our decision making, hence this piece.
By reading this, I hope you’ve gained a bit more self-awareness and understanding of human behavior.
My name is Teekay and I’m obsessed with vibrant colors.
From multi-hued sneakers to colorful hoodies, I was never the type to dress in plain colors. Not my thing.
Bright and bold hues evoke positive emotions and uplift my mood. When I look at my yellow Tee or my orange fleece, I feel energized, chipper, optimistic, confident.
Colorful clothing holds cultural significance as well. For instance, if you observe traditional attire from Africa, Asia or South America, you’ll notice that vivid hues play a prominent role.
Indeed, from the intricate designs of ponchos in South America to the vibrant patterns of African wax prints, colorful clothing holds deep cultural significance and symbolism for many communities around the world.
Photo by Askar Abayev
Adorning myself in bright, bold hues is a means of self-expression for me. It’s also part of my cultural heritage.
Indeed, vibrant hues allow me to celebrate my individuality and express myself in a way that is both meaningful and visually stunning.
With that being said, as I grow older, I’m becoming increasingly aware that the colors I hold so dear have a considerable impact on the environment, hence the saying:
Ignorance is bliss.
But I’m not the type to go against my values. I’ve always had a moral code, and I’ve always followed it.
I don’t make any exceptions.
So How Does Colorful Clothing Hurt the Environment ?
Well, like most people, I never really thought about the process behind the dyeing of clothes. In fact, for the longest time I thought sewing threads were naturally colored ^^
Anyway, that said, let’s explore some facts about the textile industry:
Most of the water used to dye our clothes is loaded with harmful chemicals and dyes, and ends up dumped untreated into rivers and streams.
The chemicals in synthetic dyes obviously damage ecosystems. In fact, the heavy metals you find in textile dye such as lead, cadmium and mercury are toxic to both humans and animals.
This makes the textile industry the second-largest polluter of clean water globally, after (animal) agriculture.
As mentioned in my piece about the cost of flying, it takes about 2700 liters (713 gallons) of water to make one single cotton t-shirt. That’s enough drinking water for a person to live on for 2.5 years.
If the destruction of habitat and nature doesn’t concern you, know that textile workers are often exposed to dangerous chemicals, thus leading to serious health consequences like skin rashes, allergies and cancer.
These numbers highlight the urgent need for more sustainable, ethical and eco-friendly practices in the textile industry.
More Global Clothing Industry Statistics
Aside from water pollution and human rights violations, the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions, more than all international flights and maritime shipping COMBINED.
Not only that, 87% of the fiber input used for clothing is incinerated or disposed of in a landfill (enraging, right?).
Last but not least in importance, every year, half a million tons of plastic microfibers are dumped into the ocean.
That’s as much as 50 billion plastic bottles per year !
How Can We Solve the Environmental Problems of Fast Fashion and Clothing Industry?
In short, minimalism.
I write about minimalism a lot on this blog. I often encourage my readers to learn more about it and to adopt a minimalistic lifestyle.
Minimalism offers many solutions to humans.
It can solve our environmental, social, financial and mental problems all at once.
Minimalism isn’t just about buying less, it’s about buying better and buying used as well.
My Next Step As a Minimalist
Conformism is intellectual death.
That’s my motto in life.
One of the reasons I left Social Media (and mass media) years ago was to protect my intellectual abilities and free thinking.
I don’t scroll, I don’t watch TV and I only read the news when I’m doing research. Heck, I don’t even listen to music anymore.
Staying away from all this stimulation and chaos allows me to look at things without bias. It keeps me sane and detached, which, in my humble opinion, is the best way to write without judgement.
Before all this, I couldn’t imagine giving up my love for colors. I would’ve convinced myself that it wasn’t that bad, that my actions have no impact, and that “everyone does it so why shouldn’t I ?”
My thinking was flawed.
You see, although it may not appear that purchasing fewer, higher-quality and ethical items will have a significant impact on the world, it factually does.
Individual actions make a difference.
So my next step as a minimalist is to refrain from buying overly colored clothes as much as I can. If I do, I’ll make sure they’re ethically sourced, naturally dyed and of course useful.
Where Can YOU Start Your Journey as a Conscientious Consumer ?
Sustainable brands use natural dyes and organic materials. You may have to pay a bit more than what you’re used to, but this time you’re supporting a bigger cause.
Doing so will also mean you won’t buy as many clothes as you did before, thus reducing your environmental footprint.
II. Shared Washers
We don’t own a washing machine (or dryer), here’s why:
When we had a washer at home, we washed our clothes several times a week. Doing so uses clean water, lots of clean water. In fact, one load uses up to 87 liters of water (23 gallons). That’s insane ! Now we wash our clothes once a week tops.
Owning a washing machine also requires for more washing machines to be made, which in turn requires more materials like steel, zinc, cement, plastic and more to be extracted from the earth. Metal extraction is destructive to the environment.
Convenience leads to more washing, and more washing means more waste generated, more energy used (electricity) and a heavier water and energy bill. No one wins.
Owning a washer also meant we had to purchase laundry detergents and fabric softeners, both of which are sold in plastic containers. More chemicals, more waste, more spending. Once again, no one wins.
Now look, I get it, owning a washer is great and fabric softeners smell amazing. In fact, owning a washer allows you to wash your clothes while you sleep. You can even leave them in there if you’re too “busy”. It’s convenient.
However, shared (or public) washers are just as cool.
For one, you don’t have to worry about maintaining them. You don’t have to transport them as you move. You don’t have to buy laundry detergents or fabric softeners.
Stressing about dirty laundry can be overwhelming for some, not owning a washer means you only have to worry about this chore once a week (at most). It takes roughly thirty minutes to get it over with, that’s it !
A study conducted in Sweden showed that greenhouse gas emissions for private laundries there were estimated to be 190 g CO2 eq./kg laundry (washed and dried).
If a shared laundry was used instead, the resulting emissions decreased by approximately 26%.
The greatest contribution to GHG emissions was the use of detergent (22–33% of total emissions), followed by capital goods (11–38% of total emissions).
I reckon every building, every residence and every neighborhood must offer shared washers (and dryers if need be).
By designing buildings with a shared laundry room, less floorspace is needed per apartment, which in practice could mean that less material is used per building or that a higher number of apartments per building are feasible. — Nilsson 2011
I’d extend that to other services as well. The Sharing Economy concept is a fascinating topic. I’m currently working on a piece on that so stay tuned.
III. Hand-washing
Another option, perhaps less realistic for many, is to hand-wash clothes with eco-friendly detergents and line-drying them.
Not only does this reduce your environmental impact, it also extends the lifespan of your clothes.
IV. Secondhand and Vintage Clothing
Aside from underwear and socks, which I refuse to buy used, everything I own is secondhand.
Buying secondhand items reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and minimizes the carbon footprint associated with producing new items.
It’s a win-win, plus you can find more authentic pieces !
In addition to clothing, all my furniture, books, electronics, and household appliances are secondhand.
Many of these items can be found in good condition at thrift stores, garage sales and now mostly online.
Buying secondhand is a great way to save money, support local businesses and generate less waste.
Final Thoughts
To make a difference isn’t about others. It isn’t about societal standards either, it’s about our own, God-given conscience.
It feels good to know that I’m making a difference, even in a small way.
I won’t stop living, nor will I just throw away all my colorful and stylish items, but I will be more mindful of what I buy.
At the end of the day, life is all about respecting others, and to respect Mother Nature is to respect all life on earth.
This piece is a mere reminder, nothing more, nothing less. I hope it helps you find your own balance, and be more mindful. That’s all that matters.
Thanks for reading.
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I write about minimalism, slow living, my adventures as an explorer, environmental solutions and more.
I’ve noticed a genuine interest from my readers in the “HOWs” of minimalism, but how about the “WHYs” and the “WHEREs” ?
Well, that’s what we’re here for today. What you’re about to read will bring things full circle.
After reading and writing about minimalism for 5+ years, I realized that this philosophy is nothing new. In fact, throughout history, most cultures and religions have emphasized the importance of living a simple and minimalist life.
Minimalism in ancient European Civilizations
In ancient Greece, Socrates famously espoused the idea that “the secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.”
Socrates believed that living a simple life was key to achieving contentment and stressed the importance of focusing on the essentials. His philosophy also focused on avoiding excess and materialism.
Similarly, in ancient Rome, Seneca wrote extensively about the virtues of minimalism.
In fact, Seneca believed that focusing on the basics and refraining from excess granted human beings a sure sense of inner peace and tranquility, and he couldn’t be more right.
Not only that, Seneca also emphasized the importance of mindfulness, advocating for individuals to live in the present moment and appreciate the simple pleasures in life.
Minimalism in Eastern religions
The concept of minimalism is central to many teachings in Buddhism and Hinduism.
In fact, Buddhism teaches that “desire is the root of all suffering” and that inner peace can only be achieved by letting go of our attachment to material possessions.
Indeed, the Buddha himself renounced his belongings and lived as a monk, teaching his followers to let go of desires and attachments in order to achieve enlightenment.
The Buddhist practice of meditation is the perfect illustration of that. While Seneca didn’t insist on one particular practice to promote mindfulness and presence, his ideas perfectly match Buddhist philosophy on this point.
Similarly, in Hinduism, the concept of “Sannyasa” or “renunciation”, is a central theme.
Sannyasa involves renouncing material possessions and living simply and in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.
But Sannyasa isn’t the only Hindu concept that highlights a certain form of minimalism.
“Aparigraha” or “non-possessiveness” also points up the importance of avoiding excess and materialism in favor of simplicity and contentment, which ultimately shows that minimalism is nothing new, and that it took center stage in century long beliefs and religious practices in the East as much as in the West.
Minimalism in Monotheistic religions
In Judaism, the concept of “Tzedakah” or charity, is an essential part of the religion.
Tzedakah involves giving to those in need and promoting social justice.
By giving to others, we learn to reduce our attachment to stuff. Not only that, giving means we learn to prioritize the needs of others over our own desires.
The world needs more of this practice.
How about in Christianity?
Well, one of Jesus’ (AS) most famous teachings says “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
This idea highlights the importance of avoiding excess and materialism, and promotes selflessness and spiritual values.
Last but certainly not least, Islam.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) lived a humble and simple life. He owned the bare minimum, despite his influence, status and the wealth of his wife hazrat Khadija (RA).
Many of Prophet Muhammad’s (PUBH) teachings revolved around the above-mentionedvalues of charity, avoiding excess and emphasizing spiritual and ethical values over material possessions.
Case in point, the Islamic concept of “Zakat” involves giving a percentage of one’s wealth (once a year) to the less fortunate, promoting empathy and compassion for others.
The universality of minimalism is evident in its presence across different cultures and regions worldwide, and there’s more !
Minimalism in ancient South American culture
Often forgotten when talking about minimalism and anti-consumerism, South American cultures and civilizations had some equally impressive values to the ones mentioned above.
“When the rivers are all dried up, and the trees cut down, man will then realise that he will not be able to eat money.” Native American proverb
For instance, if you look at the Inca civilization (present-day Peru, 13th to 16th century), living simply and in harmony with nature was paramount.
The Incas prioritized the concept of “Ayni,” which involved the reciprocal exchange of goods and services among members of the community, encouraging mutual aid and support.
Similarly, the Maya civilization (present-day Mexico and Central America, 2000 BC to the 16th century) practiced a simple and sustainable way of life as well.
The Maya were famous for their beliefs in the conservation of natural resources and living in harmony with the surrounding nature.
This was reflected in their agricultural practices, namely terrace farming and irrigation systems, which were brilliantly designed to maximize efficiency and minimize waste.
Quite the opposite of what we do today.
While the Incas and the Mayas are quite well-known, there’s another lesser-known civilization in the Nazca civilization.
Nazcas lived in a desert region (in modern day Peru) and relied on sustainable practices to survive.
For instance, they built underground aqueducts and water management systems to make sure they survived in their harsh environment.
The Nazcas also produced simple but elegant pottery, textiles, and other crafts, demonstrating their appreciation for the beauty in simplicity.
Last but not least, Asian ancient cultures also provide numerous examples of minimalism and simplicity being valued and practiced way back.
For instance, in ancient China, one of the oldest civilizations in the world, Taoism highlights the importance of living a simple and natural life,in harmony with the flow of the universe this time.
This is commonly known as the concept of “Wu Wei.”
“He who knows he has enough is rich.” Lao Tzu
But besides ancient China and India (through Buddhism and Hinduism), another gigantic civilization from the East has its own form of minimalism: Japan.
Indeed, the Japanese aesthetic of “wabi-sabi” is a great example of minimalism and simplicity.
Wabi-sabi celebrates the beauty of imperfection and transience, emphasizing the importance of finding joy and contentment in the simple things in life.
Final word
What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
Minimalism is universal and is inherently connected to wellness.
Avoiding excess and materialism while promoting charity and compassion for others are what make this philosophy so pure.
The common goal of achieving inner peace and contentment has long been sought, and it seems like doing so requires more simplicity and less consumerism.
I hope minimalism helps you live a more ethical, sustainable and fulfilling life.
One of the biggest blessings of minimalism is that it helped me spend less, way less.
By spending less, I could afford to work less, which in turn helped me slow down all the other aspects of my life.
By abstaining from purchasing unnecessary clothes, appliances, trinkets, and decorations, and embracing a bare minimum approach, my spending habits have undergone a radical transformation.
Credit: Kstudio
Becoming a minimalist taught me a lot about money management. In this piece, I will share some of my key findings, but first: Do you know where piggy banks get their name from ?
Spoiler: The name has little to do with pigs. You’ll find the answer(s) in the closing comments of this piece. Hats off if you already knew !
Let’s get back to my money management hacks as a minimalist:
Budgeting: An obvious one for most, it was definitely not as obvious for me a few years back. In fact, one of the first and most important things I learned after becoming a minimalist was how to create a budget to track my income and expenses. Budgeting helps me stick to a determined budget to avoid excess, it’s key.
Differentiate between needs and wants: To say you NEED something insinuates that you’re incomplete without it. Most of the stuff we buy are WANTS, not NEEDS. Minimalism taught me how to distinguish between essential expenses (actual needs) and discretionary ones. It’s important to learn how to evaluate whether you truly need or can afford the things you want.
Use energy-efficient appliances: Yup, your appliances cost money, and the more energy-efficient, the better. Now, you don’t have to throw out your current appliances just yet, but it’s worth keeping in mind if you’re in the market for some new tools. For instance, ENERGY STAR-certified appliances can save you up to 30% on energy costs.
Delay gratification: Before making non-essential purchases, give yourself some time to think about them. Delaying gratification will definitely help you make more deliberate decisions and avoid impulsive spending.
When it comes to buying-power, my rule of thumb is: Can’t afford it ? Don’t buy it. I know Western standards lead us to believe “loans are apart of life”, except they’re not. If I can’t afford a house straight up, I’ll rent. If I can’t afford a car, I’ll bike, walk or take public transportation. I know “financial gurus” will argue rent is wasted money. The global financial crisis of 2008 would beg to differ. FYI, in monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam), usury and interest are forbidden and considered a major sin.
Speaking of alternatives, get yourself a bike, or use public transportation to commute: Biking to work and using public transportation are the most cost-effective options to reduce spending. In fact, according to the American Public Transportation Association, relying on public transportation can save you, on average, over $10,000 per year compared to owning and maintaining a car. Yeah, because owning a car doesn’t just mean paying for fuel, it also means parking fees, car maintenance and other checkups. Cars are expensive !
Comparison shopping: Research and compare prices before making major purchases. Look for discounts, sales, or alternative options that offer better value for your money. Trust me, they’re out there. Also, stop comparing what you have to what others have. One sure way to help you with that is to leave social media altogether.
Set financial goals: Establish short-term and long-term financial goals. We all know about emergency funds (or savings) but how about a vacation fund ? Set exciting goals and go for them. Having clear goals is motivating and will help you avoid unnecessary expenses.
Speaking of expenses, track them: Keeping a record helps me gain a better understanding of where my money is going. This awareness will help you identify areas where you can cut back and save, like useless subscriptions !
Objective ZERO debt: Perhaps you took out a loan for college, it’s cool. Now you know how it feels to have that weight on your shoulders (hence my fifth bullet-point). It’s time to prioritize paying it back and avoid further enslavement. No more loans, no more credit cards, and if you want to take it a step further, pay everything in cash. Credit and debit cards have made it extremely hard to keep track of our spending, a simple switch to cash will change that.
Practice minimalism: Buy less, consume less, and when you do, consume mindfully. Seek cost-effective alternatives to the things you still buy. Give secondhand items a shot, start cooking at home, meal prepping, use free resources and services when available. There are many different ways to cut down on your spending, you just have to think outside of the box (A Story about Boxes, great read).
Automate savings: The best way to save money is to forget that you’re even saving money. Set up automatic transfers to a savings account and forget about it. By automating your savings, you ensure that at least a portion of your income is consistently set aside before you get a chance to spend it.
Partake in free or low-cost activities: There are TONS of them ! Free community events, outdoor activities, borrowed books from libraries, barbecues with friends, spending time in nature, free expos and museums, I mean the list is endless. You don’t HAVE to spend money to have fun.
Reduce dining out: I used to dine out/order out every single day. I did so for years and it almost ruined me. And then I went vegan. Being in a vegan unfriendly city has been a major blessing for me. Indeed, due to limited vegan options in my city, I had to learn how to cook, a major turnaround for me. If you’ve been blessed with cooking talent, embrace it, you’ll save yourself a significant amount of money. In fact, a study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the average household spends around $3,365 per year on dining out. That’s a lot of money. Imagine all the things you could accomplish with it !
Cut cable or satellite TV subscriptions: Do people still watch cable btw ? Streaming services are great if you’re a movie-buff like me, otherwise trade your TV for a nice bike or whatever. Life happens when you’re outside.
I hope this helps you look at your spending from a different perspective, and perhaps reconsider some of your spending habits to allow for more freedom.
Oh and, before I let you go, if you think good health (and good food) is expensive, try illness. Prevention is always better than cure so make sure you stay active, eat healthy, GMO-free, pesticide-free plants and stay hydrated.
P.S.: There are two theories as to why we call a money box a “piggy bank”:
It is said that back in the day, household items such as plates and pots were made from an economical orange-colored clay called ‘pygg’. Therefore, whenever people had a few extra coins, they would simply drop them into their “clay jars”, which they referred to as ‘pygg’ banks.
The second theory originates from Germany. As you may know, there was a significant influx of German immigrants to the United States in the last century, and they brought their cultural practices along with them. For centuries, Germans have been using pig-shaped money boxes. It is believed that the pig shape is associated with the German philosophy that regards pigs as symbols of fertility and frugality.
Thanks for reading.
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I write about minimalism, health, slow living, my adventures as an explorer, environmental solutions and more.
This blogpost serves as a reminder that we don’t always need the media, political figures and “science” to tell us what to think.
I mean, we live in the age of misinformation and fake news anyway.
Everything is blown out of proportion, all the time, so I understand those who are skeptical about everything cause sometimes that’s the only way one can keep their sanity and free thinking.
We demonize people for the smallest mishaps, we cancel them, we go at each other’s throats online for no real reason..
Incivility is rampant, but that’s beside the point of this post.
What we need right now
Perhaps what we need right now is to be more understanding, to use sensible reasoning and think for ourselves.
What we need is to collectively take a step back from the ongoing noise and assess what we see and feel, not what we’re bombarded with by the media 24/7, 365.
So climate change, is it real ?
Well, first let’s drop in some facts:
👉 We’re in the midst of the worst drought in the Horn of Africa since records began 👉 We’re in the midst of the worst drought in China since records began 👉 We’re currently in the midst of the worst drought the USA has known in the past 1.200 years 👉 Europe is going through its worst drought in 500 years
Those are facts, not opinions.
Unfortunately, blistering heatwaves ran rampant in the continent where I’m currently based, Europe, in the past few months.
The same can be said about many other places on earth.
Given how things stand right now, everything leads me to believe that a catastrophe is around the corner.
If you look at the the Jialing River in Chongquing, a major tributary of the Yangtze (China), you realize that it’s partially dried up, following weeks of extreme heat.
The same can be said about rivers and lakes in France, rivers that I used to hang out at just last summer.
Besides, we’ve seen so many untamable wildfires this summer, too many to count: Spain, Portugal, France, Italy..
The same thing is happening in North Africa.
Pretty safe to say, biodiversity is crumbling all around the world.
So, what to do about it ?
Well, it all depends on the type of people we are.
We can either wait till we all die, or we could start making some serious changes to our respective lifestyles AND impose restrictions and sanction the biggest polluters.
Private Jets, Yachts, Golf courses, Olympic-size swimming pools, these privileges need to stop, at least for a little while, if we want our planet to survive.
You don’t have to be “republican” or “democrat” to see things for what they are, this has NOTHING to do with politics, it has everything to do with survival.
If you don’t want to believe reports from the media, it’s fine, I don’t either, so talk to people, talk to the elderly, talk to your friends.
I’m lucky enough to have friends all over the world, and not a single one of them tells me things are just like they used to be.
There are so many environmental disruptions all across the globe, so many droughts, from Iraq to Italy, to China, to Kenya.
Our planet is running out of clean water. People are literally DYING of hunger and thirst.
Industrialization and hyperconsumerism are a direct cause for that.
What to do ?
The collective will always prevail over individual changes
So what we need is to collectively give up on our old ways and start learning about sustainability, pollution
We have to start looking at the way we consume, what we buy and who we’re buying it from.
We don’t have to give up on living for things to work out, we just have to adapt, to change.
The solutions to our problems have more to do with mindfulness than they do with technology.
Of course technology has to step in to improve many things, but first, let’s cut out on all the unnecessary impulse buys, watch our consumption, learn how to live in harmony with each other and NATURE, push for a global change and promote sustainable habits.
Let’s be mindful of what we do and how we live, individually and collectively.
It really doesn’t take much more than that for things to go back to how they used to be.
The first question I wondered about was financial cost, and the answer was unsurprisingly straight forward: ICE cars are way cheaper than ECs.
The second question I asked myself, quite obviously, was about environmental cost (or impact), ’cause money ain’t the sole reason we do what we do and consume what we consume.
Things like biodiversity, social justice, air quality, disease prevention and health are far more important than money, which makes this topic well worth the debate.
Here are 3 questions worth considering when discussing the environmental impact of car-making:
What are the emissions from production (materials and lining) for both types of vehicle ?
What are the GHG emissions to be expected from both types of vehicle ?
What are the end of life/end of cycle GHG emissions for both types of vehicles ?
Before we get any further, there was a study by Yale in 2019 that concluded that emissions for both types of cars are similar and very small to be worth looking further into.
Subsequently, Jarod Cory Kelly, principal energy systems analyst at Argonne National Lab, said making EVs generates more carbon than combustion engine cars, mainly due to the extraction and processing of minerals in EV batteries and the production of power cells.
Electric VS Internal Combustion Engine cars: emissions
A dozen studies show that conventional vehicle production emissions range between 2 to 17 metric tons of GHG (10 metric tons being the most common average I found)
They also show that a typical, medium-sized, conventional family car will create around 24 tons of CO2 during its life cycle.
The same studies indicate that average EC production emissions sit at around 10 metric tons per car as well, without the battery.
They also show that a typical EV will create around 18 tons of CO2 during its life cycle.
For EVs, 46% of their total carbon footprint is generated at the factory, before they’ve traveled a single mile.
For instance, and because of battery production, this whitepaper claims that we emit 15 to 70% more GHG to produce electric cars.
Battery size matters
Now, there’s also a huge difference when it comes to battery size: a Nissan leaf battery (and car) will only cause 15%more emissions to produce than a classic combustion engine (conventional car), whereas a Tesla battery could cost up to 70% more, according to Net Zero Watch.
In numbers
ICE cars produce 10 tons of CO2 to make, and emit 5.2 metric tons of CO2 per year (on the road).
ECs without the battery also produce 10 tons to make, but only emit 2.2 metric tons of CO2 per year.
Now, to make a 30 kWh lithium battery (Nissan Leaf), companies emit from 1 to 5 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. To produce a 100 kWh (Tesla) battery, that number ranges between 6 and 17 tons of GHG.
If we base our reasoning on these numbers only, it takes roughly 2 years on the road before a small electric car starts producing less carbon than an ICE car.
If you change the battery in the meantime, you’re looking at around 3.2 years to offset your carbon emissions.
That only applies when talking about small ECs.
For a Tesla, however, you’re looking at roughly 5.53 years of driving before you break-even.
Note: estimates as to how big that carbon gap is when a car is first sold and where the “break-even” point comes can vary widely, depending on the assumptions, driving style, distances covered and the country in question.
For instance, if said electric car is being driven in a country like Norway, which generates almost all its electricity from renewable hydropower, the break-even point would come much sooner.
University of Liege researcher Damien Ernst said in 2019 that the typical EV would have to travel nearly 700,000 km before it emitted less CO2 than a comparable gasoline vehicle. He later revised his figures down.
Now, he estimates the break-even point could be between 67,000 km and 151,000 km.
Lithium, cobalt, nickeland aluminum
Lithium makes up for 5 to 7% of an EC battery, which isn’t as much as most people think.
Cobalt and nickel make up a bigger chunk, up to 20% for cobalt and up to 10% for nickel.
Lithium mining
One of the main problems with Lithium mining is that it’s a very water intensive process, which makes it environmentally consequential.
Lithium extraction uses a lot of water and is the cause for droughts in regions where it’s extracted.
“Lithium mining requires large volumes of groundwater to pump out brines from drilled wells. Mining activities in the Atacama are estimated to consume 65 percent of the area’s water, and they have in some cases contaminated streams and caused significant fall in groundwater”
The main difference between pollution caused by Lithium mining and CO2 pollution is that we, and our planet, can capture CO2 through forests, soils and oceans. The same can’t be said about the loss of water, a scarce element on earth.
Besides water consumption and pollution, evaporation and contamination, Lithium mining is also a cause for high GHG emissions, which comes as no surprise.
Large ECs with long range batteries (which you’d want in a car) could be responsible for up to 17 metric tons of CO2 emissions, so while governments may want to subsidize EC and EV manufacturers, I’m still unsure of the effectivity of this tactic for the environment.
Download this Fact Sheet (PDF) if you want to learn about Lithium, Lithium mining, regulations and laws.
Cobalt-producing nations like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia and Cuba are discovering that cobalt mining is trickier than they first thought.
Lung disease and heart failure have been linked to high levels of this element, while the mines that produce it are blamed for devastated landscapes, water pollution, contaminated crops and a loss of soil fertility.
The environmental impact extends through the life-cycle of the product from refineries, battery plants, consumers goods manufacturers, electronic recycling facilities and waste dumps.
Among the most affected are workers at poorly-regulated mines, as always.
Concerns in the Congo, which produces more than 60% of the world’s cobalt and where the mineral is often mined in tandem with nickel, copper or silver, are rising when it comes to child mining and child labor.
Obviously, ECs and EVs aren’t the only ones to blame, as most electronic devices use cobalt as well.
Nickel mining
Did you know that Nickel (Ni) is the most expensive material in EVs after Cobalt ?
Did you also know that Indonesia accounts for the largest supply of Nickel in the world ? As if Palm Oil wasn’t destructive enough for the island country.. (Indonesia counts for more than half of global palm oil supply btw)
Reports by IDTechEx state that the demand for nickel from EV batteries is expected to increase ten-fold by 2030 compared to 2019.
One of the main problems surrounding nickel mining is that ores normally contain only a very small percentage of useful Ni, resulting in a large amount of waste material.
“Recently it has been announced that two nickel mining companies in Indonesia are planning to use deep-sea disposal for the raw material waste into the Coral Triangle as they ramp up operations,” the report states.
On the other side of the spectrum, back in 2017, the Philippines government suspended nearly half of its nickel mines citing environmental concerns.
So Nickel, like Cobalt and Lithium, is also highly destructive to the environment in ways that we can’t easily bypass, unlike CO2 emissions..
Recycling of batteries
The recycling of batteries is another issue, an important one, especially in the water scarcity debate.
In the EU, as few as 5% of lithium-ion batteries are recycled. This has an environmental cost.
Not only do the batteries carry a risk of giving off toxic gases if damaged, but core ingredients such as lithium and cobalt are finite and extraction can lead to water pollution and depletion, among other environmental consequences.
Francisco Carranza, former managing director at Nissan and current VP of sales and marketing at Automotive Cells Company, says the fundamental problem is that while the cost of fully recycling a battery is falling toward €1 per kilo, the value of the raw materials that can be reclaimed is only a third of that.
That said, Nissan, like many other car manufacturers, has partnered with power management firm Eaton for its car batteries to be re-used for home energy storage, rather than be recycled.
Perhaps there’s reason to be optimistic, after all.
For instance, the Johan Cruyff Arena, Ajax Amsterdam’s home field, is home to the equivalent of 148 used Nissan Leaf batteries, which found a second life in this stadium.
The JCA is one of the most sustainable spots in Europe. Solar panels, super-green energy storage and onsite vehicle-to-grid charging can all be found in this beautiful piece of engineering.
The arena is a prime example of sustainability at scale. It’s currently the largest energy storage bank in a commercial building in Europe.
Where do electric vehicles get their electricity ?
Let’s put all of this to the side and discuss something that’s equally as important as battery components: energy.
Where do EVs get their energy from ?
It turns out that many regions in the world are still getting their electricity from COAL-powered plants.
In fact, 23% of electricity comes from coal-fired plants in the United States alone. Studies estimate that number to be around 22.9 percent in Europe.
How much of Europe’s energy comes from fossil fuels?
For the structure of gross available energy in 2020, 68.4 % of all energy in the EU was produced from coal, crude oil and natural gas.
Not so green huh ?
The verdict ?
I don’t have one.
But one thing is for sure, I’ll definitely stick to my beautiful 2005 Corolla for now.
Besides, I will always prefer higher CO2 emissions to water pollution, leading to water shortages and scarcity. Child labor and the massive environmental impacts mentioned above are also reasons why EVs aren’t my thing, now more than ever. I don’t see them as a solution but just a massive greenwashing campaign to make us switch our old functional cars with newer, shinier and more expensive ones.
That said, by no means am I saying conventional cars don’t pollute. All I’m saying is, there’s no need to push for newer technologies just for the sake of newness. That’s the whole premise around consumerism, which is the core ideology of capitalism.
Our oceans, with around 38,000 gigatons of carbon, contain 16 times as much carbon as the terrestrial biosphere.
On the other hand, our CO2 emissions today sit at around 36.4 gigatons of CO2.
Our oceans are one of the most promising places to sequester carbon. They currently take up a third of the carbon emitted by human activity, roughly 2.9 billion metric tons each year, according to new estimates.
Now, let me ask you this: can you imagine how much CO2 we would intrap if our oceans were healthy ?
Imagine a world where industrial fishing is banned for good?
People often say that we need to “Save The Earth”. I personally don’t think the Earth needs saving, I think the Earth will be just fine without us. Instead, we need to save ourselves by abolishing all unnecessary exploitations.
The earth is a magical place, a gift that’ll keep on giving, but we need to start looking at things differently.
The solution to the current environmental crisis doesn’t necessarily lie in switching out ICE cars for EVs, not everywhere. We must reintroduce trains, rely on cleaner energy to run them, perhaps focus on industrial EVs, but not necessarily swtich from personal ICE cars to personal EVs.
We have to start looking at all industries, and go through them one by one.
The impacts of certain industries are often dismissed, it’s dangerous.
To save ourselves, we need to abolish unnecessary exploitations and consumerism. Simultaneously, we need to keep pushing research towards truly cleaner options.
Our beautiful planet can easily deal with GHG emissions, but it can hardly “regenerate” polluted water, water being the scarcest element on earth.
Last but not least, if you thought Russia controlling 5% of oil exports was a threat to global stability, wait until you find out who controls 90% of the critical rare earth elements needed for EVs and solar panels.
In sum
ICE Cars are here to stay and that’s okay, for now.
Perhaps newer technologies will come into place and replace the old ones, but let’s give credit where credit is due.
Cars are a blessing.
The demonization of ICE cars has risen sharply, it’s baffling and quite unwarranted. People who can’t afford EVs (or don’t want to switch) have been heavily criticized by mainstream media, so this piece is essentially here to establish some sort of balance.
It’s important to remember that cars, just like railroads, boats and airplanes have played a huge part in how humanity has developed in the past century.
Cars make our lives safer and more comfortable. They allow us to access places and resources that are viable and necessary to evolve as a species.
The debate around EVs vs ICE cars is a matter of choosing the lesser of two necessary evils, it’s sterile and borderline absurd.
As things stand economically, socially and historically, there is no clear winner. Besides, as I mentioned before, I reckon we’re barking at the wrong tree in the sustainability debate.
How about we tackle unnecessary industries like fast fashion, industrial fishing, factory farming, food retail first ?
Worth considering.
Watch this if you want to know more about the innovation of the engine.
Below is a list of survival tips every hiker should know, inspired by (but not only) the movie Backcountry (great flick btw, thanks Bash)
First things first let me tell you this: when you’re out in the wild, worry about survival before you worry about comfort. Always.
Another basic tip and as a rule of thumb, never hike with a backpack that’s more than a third of your body weight.
Anyway, let’s get going:
Dos and don’ts in the wild
Never leave your food uncovered in the wilderness
Always have extra energy bars and food in your backpack. Also, eat in rations, you never know what might happen next
When you decide to take a break or to call it a day, NEVER leave food in your tent
Always keep a survival whistle on hand. Survival whistles help scare off wild animals and serve as a signal in emergencies. Mine came in handy when I hiked in Patagonia (Andean forest in Argentina)
Always keep a survival knife on hand
Always keep a candle in your backpack, it’ll help keep you warm in extreme weathers, especially if you ever get lost in the wild (check out this video if you don’t know what I’m hinting at). For this technique to work, you will need something like a poncho or a blanket
Learn more about edible plants and roots just in case you run out of food
Learn basic first aid skills to fix yourself or other hikers in case of an emergency
Always make a mental map of where you are and where you’re headed. A great hiker always knows where the nearest plain is. Plains are safer than the woods. Also, if there’s a rescue heli looking for you, you’d want them to actually see you
Always check the weather before you head out
Make sure your clothing ALWAYS remains dry. I made this mistake twice, once in Sweden and once in France, and both times I thought I was never going to make it. Never again !
When packing your gear, try to pack the heavier gear against your spine with the lightest items on top and equal weight on either side. Remember to pack your rain jacket last so that it is accessible if needed suddenly, and make sure all loose straps are secured and neat so they don’t catch on anything as you walk.
Learn more about the wild animals in your area and how to deal in the event of an unexpected encounter (bears, wolves, boars, snakes, elk, moose, cows, goats)
Hiking and survival must-haves
Backpack tips: Choose a backpack with a tubular design. A tubular design is easier to balance, and an unbalanced backpack will tire you out much sooner than you expect. Unbalanced packs also increase the risk of a twisted ankle or a fall. Always strap on because loose straps can be dangerous if they catch on rocks or branches. Make sure the weight doesn’t only sit on your back but rather on the side straps. Distribute as much weight to the straps as possible. With the weight on your straps, your shoulders should feel lighter and unburdened. A sternum strap is also a must when mountain hiking. It keeps the straps from falling off and tiring you out.
One sharp, full-tang, carbon-steel knife. This is your most important tool in a survival situation. Pick one that fits your hand comfortably, has a single piece of steel from tip to butt, with a blade about 12cm long. Carbon-steel blades are easiest to sharpen and the back of the blade will produce a spark when struck with a hard stone
Consider stainless steel bottle for drinking and heating up water
Make sure your headlamp is easily accessible
A survivalwhistle is often forgotten but it could come in handy in several situations: to call for help, to scare off snakes and other animals, to signal your presence to other hikers
Touch as little things as you possibly can while hiking. Smell is how animals track their prey
Learn how to start a fire with an ember rock or a flint fire starter in case your matches get wet
Learn how to navigate a map with a compass
Get a LifeStraw and/or purification drops
Always have a first aid kit on. Stuff it with bandage wraps, medication for pain, allergies, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration and hypoglycemia
If it’s allowed in your whereabouts, get a smoke or fire signal, very useful in case of an unexpected encounter with a deadly animal
Invest in GREAT hiking shoes. I didn’t say good, I said great. You’re going to spend at least 60% of your time in them so invest well
Rain and wind are your worst enemy. Invest in a windbreaker/raincoat
Invest in good, warm socks and thermal underwear 🧦
A cooking set and/or gas stove is a must in the winter when everything is wet and cold
Keep a phone and potentially a talkie walkie on you. A talkie is much more efficient than a celly, and not everyone can afford a satellite phone. Talkies allow you to connect with other radios in the area
Wear flashy hiking clothes in case a rescue team has to look for you in leafy forests
Learn the basics of hunting. There are always chipmunks and rabbits in the woods that you can hunt if it’s a matter of life or death (I’m vegan but extreme situations require extreme measures)
On the same note, keep fishing gear on you, just in case you have no other options but to fish to feed on
Make sure your clothing always remains dry. The most effective way to waterproof your pack is to line the inside with a dry bag. Buy one that is slightly larger than your backpack so that it completely fills the main compartment and has enough extra space at the top for a tight seal. Once sealed, the dry bag will also serve as a floatation device, so if you do fall into water, your bag won’t drag you under.
Grab a pair of tough gloves to avoid hand wounds and a better grip in extreme situations
An axe could come in handy in many situations. Chopping wood, entertainment, an axe could also save your life in the event of an unexpected encounter with a deadly animal 🪓
Get at least 3m of 550 paracord, super useful in certain situations
There you have it folks. I must’ve missed some other tips but if you follow all of the ones above, you’re very likely to survive any situation in the wild.
I didn’t add all the necessary gear one might need for a hike. That’s a not the primary purpose of this post.
That said, I may post a piece of my favorite hiking gear soon.
Goes without saying but be careful when you’re out there, fam. We humans are much weaker than we think we are, and sh!t happens, all the time.
Teekay Rezeau-Merah 