The 2026 Conscious Consumer Checklist: What Actually Matters (And What Really Doesn’t)
Let’s be honest: being a “good” consumer has started to feel like a full-time job (or at least a very committed side hustle). Reusable this. Compostable that. A new eco swap every time you open Instagram (maybe even from The Mindful Edit!). And while many of these small, everyday choices do absolutely matter — especially when they’re accessible and fit naturally into our lives — the constant stream of “do this better” can start to feel overwhelming, even for me.
Let’s Talk Some Trash 🗑️
How to Choose the Most Sustainable Garbage Bags (Yes, Really)
Okay friends, we need to talk trash. Specifically… the bags. This is something I’ve been wrestling with for A WHILE, so it’s time to unpack it.
If you’ve ever hovered in the store aisle or shopping online and debating between compostable, biodegradable, recycled, or whatever’s cheapest, you’re not alone. And even if you haven’t, read on. Trash bags can feel like a throwaway decision (pun intended), but they actually offer a sneaky opportunity to reduce waste before it heads to the landfill.
Let’s break it down.
The Return Habit We Should Break
I’m currently deep-diving into the circular economy in my Climatebase Fellowship, and while there’s so much we could unpack, let’s zoom in on something we all do without thinking: online returns. 🛍️
We’ve all ordered multiple sizes/colors/options with the intention of sending back whatever doesn’t work. It feels efficient… but behind the scenes, it’s actually pretty rough on the planet. The labor, transportation, processing, quality checks, and restocking often cost companies more than simply paying the disposal fee to toss the item. Yep — many returns never make it back on the shelves [woof]. 😬
🌍 Earth-Friendly Fall Clean Up Guide
As the leaves start to change and the air turns crisp, many of us start preparing our yards and homes for the winter months ahead. Fall clean up is a tradition here in Minnesota (and many other places), but it doesn’t have to mean bagging up every leaf or sending piles of stuff to the landfill. With a few mindful choices, your seasonal reset can be kinder to the planet - and still set you up for a cozy winter ahead.
5 Approachable Swaps for a More Mindful Bathroom
When it comes to creating a more sustainable home, the bathroom is often overlooked - but it’s a space where small swaps can make a BIG difference. And good news: these changes are approachable, affordable, and many of them even feel like upgrades. 🛁✨
This round, we’re focusing on five simple swaps you can make today. (And yes, spoiler: bamboo is where it’s at. We’ll dive into why this material rocks in a future post, but for now, trust me when I say it’s durable, renewable, and endlessly useful.)
How My Rescue Pets Teach Me About Mindful Living 🐶🐱🐱
Bringing rescue animals into your home means saying yes to a little chaos, a lot of love, and lessons you didn’t know you needed. My pets - with their many quirks, challenges, and unconditional affection - have been some of my greatest teachers in [trying to] slowing down and living more mindfully.
Back to School, Mindfully
As summer winds down [wild!] and the school year is in sight, it’s easy to feel the pressure, mentally and financially, to stock up on brand new everything: clothes, backpacks, lunchboxes, notebooks, and the long list of school supplies requested. But here’s the skinny: you don’t buy your way into a successful school year.
In fact, there’s a lot of power in slowing down, taking inventory, and approaching back-to-school season with a little more intention - for your wallets, for the planet, and peace of mind.
Here are a few practical, low-waste, and community-minded ways to get your family ready for the new school year - no (or limited) Target haul required.
5 Approachable Swaps for a More Mindful Kitchen
When it comes to building a more sustainable home, the kitchen is a great place to start. It’s where we cook, clean, store, and consume - often surrounded by a lot of single-use items.
The good news? Small changes can make a big difference! The absolute best thing we can do is reduce single-use items and reuse where possible. I have so many ideas in this space (don’t worry, more to come), but let’s kick things off with five easy, low-effort swaps you can make today: