Today is Black Friday. The dream of all bargain hunters. The day is a nightmare for me. I have sinned exactly once. $199 iPad bought in America. I haven’t used my tablet for a long time.
No, I’m anything but an innocent lamb. A new iPhone every two years, new clothes in summer and winter. When I moved at the beginning of the year, I decided for myself: from now on, for every new piece of clothing there should be two pieces of clothing. I didn’t stick to it.
If that’s not enough: I have four (!) Apple fast charging cables. Just because I’m too lazy to switch the cable back and forth between different bags. This lifestyle takes a toll on personal finances.
And it’s bad for the environment. Only online returns worldwide generate 238,000 tons of CO₂. 280 million parcels and 487 million articles are returned annually. We should not forget the often inhumane working conditions in countries where smartphones or clothing are produced.
Actually there is another way. Living proof sits next to me. My colleague Sarah Frattaroli shows up every day in second-hand clothes. She either does her shopping at second hand stores. Or she takes unwanted clothes from friends.
And I must admit without envy: she has more sense of style than I do in my countless pieces of clothing.
But this week is a shock. Sarah tells me about her plans for the weekend: a trip to the mall in Milan. Now she’s succumbed to the Black Friday frenzy?
Sarah refuses. She will buy two or three pieces of clothing. Exception. When her friends spend hours shopping, she goes for an aperitif. And will she admire her friends’ new clothes that might end up in her closet at some point?
We don’t all have to become like Sarah. But more conscious consumption would be good for our wallet, environment and closet space. Maybe a good first resolution for the new year?
Nicholas Imfeld
Source: Blick
I am David Miller, a highly experienced news reporter and author for 24 Instant News. I specialize in opinion pieces and have written extensively on current events, politics, social issues, and more. My writing has been featured in major publications such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC News. I strive to be fair-minded while also producing thought-provoking content that encourages readers to engage with the topics I discuss.
