As the EcoDiva, hunter for all things eco-luxury, I know that I talk about, well…a lot of stuff; where to buy it, how to choose it, what to buy, etc.

But, truly, the underlying principle is not to acquire more stuff along this journey to a brighter, greener, more organically luminous future. The stuff is simply what decorates our path.

What I mean when I say ‘The Zen of Going Green’ is a way of putting on a new pair of lenses when it comes to seeing the world you live in and the way in which you occupy your own space.

You Do Make a Difference

Not in a self-esteem, self-help kind of way. The way you make a difference is in the small daily choices you make. The products you surround yourself with, the stuff that you surrender your hard earned cash and credit for. Is it all really worth it? Some of it is and some of it is more like a temporary solution; the result of which casts a shadow on your bank account as well as on the earth.

Take a Trip to Your Closet

So what is an EcoDiva to do about all this stuff? There is no one answer. But there is a Zen to going green and to lightening the load so to speak. First, we can all begin with a trip to our own closet and search out what has lingered too long. What have you been holding on to that has not seen the light of day in years? Pass it on to someone who will love it and wear it more than you do. Trust me, this will go a long way to creating a Zen within.

Need vs. Want

Next, before taking a trip to the mall, take a true account of what you NEED vs. what you WANT. If you are going to buy that ‘gotta have it’ color sweater for the fall, invest in a classic cut and color that will stand the test of time (read: longer than one season). Make sure you choose a high quality organic material. Not only will you enjoy the flattering quality of a well-made classic piece of clothing, but you will not be supporting the massive use of pesticides that flow into our land, water and eventually into our bodies all around the world.

Journey into Nature

There is a reason why people escape to the country on their summer rendezvous and vacations. There is a reason why people who need to reconnect to themselves go to the beach to watch the waves or to the trees to take a walk. Reconnect to this brilliant green earth. Reconnect to yourself and what it is that you truly need in this life. I bet you’ll discover that what you need is not found in a mall (most of the time).

Photo credit: www.flickr.com/photos/nahda