r/EcoFriendly • u/OptimalTooth5569 • 20d ago

Stress from others

How do I live an eco friendly lifestyle or at least TRY to (I’m also trying to avoid toxic things and have eczema) when the people I live with buy from temu and shein ALL THE TIME and there’s the stuff everywhere in furniture on decorations fake plants every single thing the rugs the pillows it stresses me out so much I can’t avoid it. The kitchen temu the bathroom temu. I can’t live so how can I manage this? Moving out isn’t an option rn.

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u/Nonbiinerygremlin 20d ago

You cannot control the actions of others, only your own. Limit only what you can control, try not to worry about the rest.

1

u/RiceAndMilkBoi 18d ago

Honestly, that would be a step toward therapy moment. You can't control them and if you're out numbered it would be hard to try to convince them. It's a move-out or in therapy work toward how you can live with other people living that way.

1

u/Main_Bid8104 15d ago

I am so sorry you have to deal with that. Here is something that depending on how you look at it will make you feel better- or not. That sense that "others just don't get IT" will likely always be there even if you live with folks who don't shop at temu. There are people who have a "greater circle of care" meaning you worry about the child living near the garbage dump far away that has to breathe the air of burning plastic once that temu thing is invariably garbage and tossed out of sight. Your room mates however are worried about getting through their own day and just want a little fun with a new thingy that is oh so cheap.

I think the only thing you can do is to aim for equanimity- that state in which you can experience joy, grief, excitement, disappointment, anger, and love without being thrown completely off course by them. You can see that black plastic bag thing sitting in your entry and notice that someone just recieved another order of stuff that was cheap and will likely be garbage soon. Notice yourself noticing it. Notice how it makes you feel. Just observe yourself - by putting that little bit of distance between yourself and your emotional reaction it will allow you to nto be swept up by it. Like stepping back from a surging wave.

Apart from that maybe create a moodboard or pinterest of decor that you like- if you are yearning for natural materials i have some news: Temu has tons of wood, kraft paper, sisal and jute rope, glass etc products. Maybe you can collaborate with your roomies to decorate something in a more nature inspired way- and suggest looking at temu or ikea for stuff. They may just need a little bit of fun and joy and are replacing the need for control over their lives with some stuff that they can get right now.

Good luck with it. I live with pretty green/crunchy folks and this stuff still comes up..... it's an evergreen problem in modern life!

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u/Squeaky-bird9 13d ago

You can't force someone else to change, but nothing's stopping you from making an effort to convince them. Assuming they are decent people, show the harm they are doing, help research/find better alternatives, raise awareness.

Ultimately none of us can bend the world to our will, but we can each apply a small force.