Episode Highlights

[01:24] Defining Minimalism

• Tara is a believer in progress over perfection.
• Minimalism is about defining your own way of living with less. This style of living can look different for each person.
• Tara is currently trying to embrace minimalism even as she enters a new season in life with a baby.
• One challenge of being a parent is the increasing amount of things in your home.

[04:24] Parenting with Reduced Environmental Impact

• Tara reached out to her other friends who are parents to share and exchange whatever they have and need.
• When buying new items, invest in quality over quantity. You can also find baby items secondhand, borrowed, or from gifts.
• Buy with longevity in mind. These quality items can last longer and be kept for future children or passed along to others.
• Using cloth diapers helps reduce waste.
• For toys, keep only a limited number that was just right for the family.

[08:40] Reduce What You Buy

• Reducing is an old way to refer to minimalism. Tessa set boundaries with family and friends about what they want or don’t want for their family.
• You can buy cute things, just don’t overshop. This decreases how often you have to declutter and maintain order in your home.
• If you want to buy fast fashion, don’t view it as fast fashion. Enjoy it and make good use of what you bought.
• You can also choose to buy second-hand or avoid shopping as a hobby altogether.
• Before buying, filter what you truly need and will actually use.

[12:59] Respectfully Refusing

• Sometimes we may need to refuse what others are offering before it becomes too much.
• Refusing includes setting boundaries with your friends and family.

Tara: “Refusing is really setting boundaries. I think that’s ultimately what it is — boundaries about what you want to bring into your life and what you don’t want and setting those boundaries with friends and family.”

• Tara was able to do this during Christmas by making clear what they truly need for their daughter.
• Another way you could refuse is by accepting only what you need. You can return the remaining items to pass them on to someone else.

[15:56] Making Cloth Diapering Work For You

• There are different types of cloth diapers. One kind uses removable inserts, allowing you to change the lining as needed.
• If you’re going to start cloth diapering, create a setup that is easy and convenient for you to use. Tara’s setup makes the diapers easy to reach, replace and wash regularly.
• While you’d have to do more laundry, reusable and washable are a worthy investment. You can use them longer and for more than one child.
• When going out, be prepared and have all the supplies that you need including enough inserts, covers, and a wet bag.
• Explore and figure out what works best for you. Listen and share experiences with other parents for their tips.

Judith: “It doesn’t have to be perfect, and I love that. That’s what we’ve weaved through this entire conversation. Little things make a difference.”

[20:18] The Convenience of Reusables

• Tessa has experienced using both reusable and disposable diapers.
• Tessa has found that reusable is more reliable in avoiding diaper overflows.
• Using reusable diapers is an investment that saves you from having to buy disposable diapers constantly.
• People perceive the learning curve as intimidating, but you could say the same thing about every aspect of parenting. Once you’ve done it, it’s easy to maintain your system.

Tara: “It’s just like clockwork. We have the system set up. It’s a routine, it’s a habit. It’s literally seamless at this point where we don’t even think about it.”

[22:49] Invest in Quality Over Quantity

• Parents should look into investing in high-quality baby gear. Tune in to the episode to hear some of Judith’s recommendations from Snuggle Bugz!
• These days, there are more cheap and low-quality items that are easily disposable.
• It’s better to buy a good quality item to save money and energy in the long run.
• Investing in quality products can benefit not just your wallet but also the planet and your sanity.
• You can choose to save money through swapping, sharing, and buying secondhand.

[26:28] Using a Wish List

• Many new parents take on the hobby of browsing for items in magazines, online stores, and malls. Unfortunately, this can end up being quite expensive.
• Using a wish list allows you to make calculated purchases — things you need and will actually use. It also reduces clutter.

Tara: “Shopping with a wish list is helpful because if you’re only buying the things that you know you [want and need], then you focus on making those purchases and not browsing and potentially adding a bunch of stuff that you don’t need."

• If you end up seeing something you want to buy, you can add it to your wish list. Give it time to see if you truly want to buy and use that item.
• Find other hobbies that you can enjoy that don’t cost money.

[30:39] The Zero Waste Collective

• The Zero Waste Collective is a blog Tara created to talk about reducing waste, decluttering, and minimalism.
• Continuous consumption stops you from living your best life.
• Tara’s book Don’t Be Trashy helps you live your best life by reducing your waste.
• It’s a journey of progress over perfection. What works for you before may change over time depending on your season of life.

About Tara

Tara McKenna is a sustainability entrepreneur, speaker, and author. She is the founder of the blog The Zero Waste Collective, where she inspires others to live a life of zero waste, sustainable living, and minimalism. Tara is also the author of the book, Don’t Be Trashy: A Practical Guide to Living with Less Waste and More Joy.

Tara has a master’s degree in urban and regional planning with her specialty in environmental planning. Through her work, she helps and teaches others to live their best life by lessening their waste and creating more joy.

Learn more about Tara on her website and her blog. Connect with her on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also send her an email at [email protected].

Resources

• Get quality baby gear on Snuggle Bugz!
• Baby gear mentioned in the episode:
• Medela Breast Pumps
• Ubbi Diaper Pail
• Baby Jogger stroller
• Britax One4Life Clicktight All-In-One Car Seat
• UPPAbaby strollers
• Read Diaper Pail 101 for your diaper pail comparisons
• Connect with Tara McKenna: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | Email
• The Zero Waste Collective
• Don't Be Trashy: A Practical Guide to Living with Less Waste and More Joy by Tara McKenna
• Facebook Marketplace
• Aquafit
• Lead Podcasting

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