This week it was my pleasure to meet with consumer culture researcher and sustainable influencer, Carys Egan-Wyer. I reached out to Carys after I came across her blog and social media brand, Buy Less Be More. I was intrigued from the get-go. I have been researching the area of consumer culture for many years, and in particular, exploring the issue of sustainability within the retail sector. And when you do start to explore this area in any depth, it is very difficult to ever return to a life of mindless consumption. You just cannot ignore the stark facts and shocking stories behind the clothes we wear. 

 So when I heard Carys had made a pledge to become a non-consumer for one-year, I was intrigued to hear her backstory. I wanted to know what compelled her to take this drastic step, and especially, was it possible? Was it possible to live in our current consumer society, and not consume? We discuss it all and Carys shares her tips for anyone who might be inspired to test themselves to live outside of our consumption-oriented world, even for a month! Take a listen! 

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• The accumulation of 'stuff' in a consumption-oriented society
• Pledge to become a non-consumer - is it possible? 
• Abstaining from the instant gratification of consumption can quench your desire for the material object over time 
• Interesting preloved Swedish site, Sellpy  
• Upcycling projects - fun, creative, learning new skills
• Swapping consumption time, for more quality time
• Gift-giving, swapping material gifts for experiential gifting
• Showing love through consumption
•  Swedish society supporting family lifestyles and gender equality
• Micro-rental platform sites for short-term rental of everyday items in Sweden
• "Why is it so hard to stop shopping?"
• Clothing to perform our identity 
• Neoliberal democracies put the responsibility on citizens to make 'the right choice'  
• Non-consumer versus Anti-consumer?
•  5 Tips for anyone who wants to make an anti-consumption pledge! 

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Carys's Buy Less Be More blog: https://buylessbemore.squarespace.com/
About Carys's research at Lund University, Sweden: https://portal.research.lu.se/portal/en/persons/carys-eganwyer(4a88974d-838f-4824-a730-75f2ba20c926).html
Sellpy -preloved clothes Swedish website: https://www.sellpy.se/
Hygglo - Swedish short-term rentals website: https://www.hygglo.se/
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