Resolution 2008: Be More Like My Mom

I remember writing last year about all the twist and turns my life took in 2006. As far as 2007 went, there isn't too much to report. Besides spending more than three months away from Deano which understandably left me a little changed there wasn't a specific "things will never be the same" moment. I see that as a good thing, because whether I'm ready or not, 2008 will be a big year for us. By this time next year, I will be a Ph.D. living in a different city. And almost everything else I can think of will be completely different.

I usually don't do New Year's Resolutions. But when I was in Minneapolis for Christmas, I came to a conclusion I'm guessing few 28-year-old women come to: I need to be more like my mother. Several months ago, my mom and stepdad vowed to change the way they live, giving up their favorite products and amenities in favor of environmental and social responsibility. First, they stopped drinking bottled water to reduce plastic bottle waste and instead began to bring large acrylic bottles filled with tap water to work. Then they took another step by refusing plastic bags at the grocery stores and bought several canvas bags. They bought bags both specific to the grocery stores they frequent and general ones for all other stores. This sounds pretty simple in theory, but in practice it proved difficult because many stores are firmly set in their ways and not very open to being handed a handful of canvas bags. But they stayed firm in their resolution and have not collected more than a few bags over the following months.

Lastly, they have done research mostly using the Better World Shopping Guide to find out which companies deal in fair trade, treat their employees well, minimize waste and pollution, give back to their local communities and don't participate in unnecessary animal testing. This required major changes from giving up favorite hair products (Biolage), snacks (Nabisco) , beer (Miller) and candy (Nestle) in favor of more conscientious brands. It is currently prohibitively expensive and time consuming to only buy from the top companies because they are generally all-natural, organic and the companies themselves extremely small and not widely distributed. But my mom and stepdad have vowed to keep all their products at "C" grade or above and always choose the better of two similar products.

This year, I am also vowing to cut out the worst offenders, buy more from the "good guys" and generally be more aware of the practices of businesses that want my money. The Better World Shopper likens such shopping to "voting with your checkbook". I'm not idealistic enough to think that I alone can make a difference, but my money is hard-earned and I should be more careful who gets it.

One more thing. I should mention that my mom and stepdad have always been environmentally aware. They have always driven fuel-efficient cars and are advocates for nature conservation in Northern Minnesota where they own a lake home. But, like the best of those among us, they felt that they could afford to put some time and money into bettering themselves and this year I am trying to do the same.