#anti-consumption

[suertudagirl]

So first it started like this (16) 232 lbs.⬇️

And lost almost 40 lbs by my highschool graduation, 195 lbs. (18) ⬇️

I had started running everyday by then, kept it up for a few years and eventually got to my lowest weight of 150 lbs. (21,22,23) ⬇️

I was motivated to do more, to be better, I wanted to feel like I could build and destroy buildings lmao. I started lifting heavy. And surprisingly I actually got smaller despite the scale going up to 160 lbs then 165 lbs (age 24-25)⬇️

Eventually got up to 170lbs at 25 years old, August 2021 (never stop deadlifting.)⬇️

I maintained this weight for a while until I lost my fitness routines due to a not great relationship, senior year of undergrad, two major deaths, and lack of self love. Fast forward to last year ended up at 188 lbs at 29 years old. ⬇️🙃😭 (September-October 2024)

Anyway. I'm doing my best to slowly lose fat while battling so many health issues at the moment, keeping my strength and muscle mass, and not falling for consumerist temptations. (Anything opposite of sustainable living, eco-friendly, positive mental health, slow paced lifestyle is a no for me 🙅🏻‍♀️.)

I should have made this post last year. But I am so proud of my younger self, and should remind myself to keep that pride. No weight loss surgery. NO medication. No aids or "stacks" or rec drugs. No Frankenstein foods. No worshipping expensive protein bars from shitty influencers as my daily meal. 🙃 Just focusing on principles and determination (because trust me--I had to start over multiple times due autoimmune flares.)

Now I'm at 178 which is officially 10 lbs down from October 2024. 💪🏻🤗⬇️

[daffodilhorizon]

I think we’re all frustrated by the “You want me to give up X? Good luck getting supporters if you do that” and the obvious response is “Damn these libs ain’t gonna do a revolution if we can’t even get them to stop purchasing an expensive homophobic animal abuse sandwich” But to be constructive about it, damn these libs are so fucking pathetic and sad they actually use consumption as a balm for their tattered souls. How sad is that that you are like “eh fuck those people I don’t know who are affected by this, i’m gonna reinforce to corporations the destructive pollution and actions they’re doing is Good, Actually.” How tragic to lack the feeling of solidarity, to never feel attached to people you’ve never met just because they too, feel, love, and feel pain just like you. Is there a way to reach these lonely souls? Can we teach true solidarity? That companionship and having each other’s backs is infinitely more joyful and relieving than spending your hard earned labour on new clothing? Can we convert people who find the biggest joys in buying new toys that actually, a night spent with friends is actually more fulfilling and satisfying? Like, we know altruism and socialization feel really good to humans. But how do we break through to the ones that are stuck in the addiction to capitalist consumption, but want to be better? I think like all addicts, they have to know it’s a problem and want to change. Perhaps education about damage from pollution and oppression from companies would make their feel good purchase feel less good?

[grammaturge-blog]

“‘God,’ said one of the Shaker Elders, “is the Great Artist and Master Builder; the Gospel is the means... We must labor in union with them to cast all rubbish out of and from around the building, and to labor to bring everything both outward and inward, more and more into order.’

“...The Shakers were meticulous workers, with a passion for order, cleanliness, simplicity, practicality, and economy of means.

“...an Elder said, ‘the divine man has no right to waste money upon what you would call beauty in his house or daily life, while there are people living in misery.’”

A thing that is mindful — simple, honest, purposeful, effective and efficient, well-designed, well-made and well-maintained — is beautiful enough.

There is no need for any more than this.

Thomas Merton on Shaker communities

From “Mystics and Zen Masters”

[blackflagtheology]

[idontknowism]

work less, consume less. just as simple as that.