Betterment and Praxis

One of the things I'd like to include in thr community garden I'm working on establishing is a food pantry. I'd love to have a place with recycled containers to take home garden goodies, residents to leave extra dry goods, and things like care products/toiletries. I've seen pictures of them online and read articles about them but the closest thing we have here is honesty boxes.

Has anyone made one or used one? Do you have any tips? I'd love to hear some recommendations on practical designs work best or what products you wish yours had more/less of.

this Google spreadsheet doubles as a sustainability resource, but it's generally a good starting point if you're looking to put money where your mouth is in trying to improve your clothing consumptive habits. it also has some basic, useful words defining what slow fashion is and its principles. i've transcribed these (and the major spreadsheet notes) below, for ease.

Slow fashion

Truly "slow" fashion should (ideally) consist of buying only a few pieces a year.

Slow Fashion Order of Operations:

1. Be happy with what you have. -- Do you really need XYZ? What is it that makes you happy about what you currently have?
2. Shop your own closet. -- There have been countless times I have thought "I need a new sweater" when the weather changes only to open my closet, dig in the back, and find heaps of sweaters.
3. Clothing swap with friends. -- You can have a clothing swap party, or just ask friends one on one. "Do you have tons of sweaters? I do too. Can I come over and look through what you have, and you can look through mine?"
4. Buy secondhand locally (e.g. local thrift store). -- Once you have identified a hole in your closet, check out local places to shop before heading online. (Ideally! If you have the time!) I love finding clothes secondhand. It's like treasure hunting.
5. Buy secondhand online (BST, Poshmark, Depop, etc). -- Once you've window-shopped enough of these slow fashion brands (and adjacent), keep an eye out for your faves on secondhand apps. You can set notifications for searches and everything :)
6. Buy directly from a company with transparent labor practices. -- This is where this spreadsheet comes in handy... when you really need something new.
7. Live in the clothes you buy for a while before buying anything else new -- Simmer in that joy for as long as you can; don't get distracted by shiny objects
8. Reject consumerism! -- Whenever you start feeling like you "have" to buy something, question it! Who does this feeling benefit?

On Bags

When it comes to sustainability for bags, there are a few different factors to keep in mind, and you usually have to sacrifice one factor in favor of another. Some might say the most important factor is durability – like, buy one bag, have it for life. but the durability of a bag will depend on how often you use it, how you treat the bag, where you take it, etc. like, even a very “durable” bag will still fall apart eventually if you’re rough on it for X amount of time. However, generally speaking, durability tends to have a push/pull relationship with the materials involved. like, plastics and poly fabrics are often more durable than “natural fibers” like untreated cotton or linen.

The “most ideal compromise” here would be to look for recycled fabrics + secondhand bags which are rated highly for durability. Bag and backpack manufacturers tend to be more opaque about their supply chain and factories compared to “slow fashion” clothes-makers. and I think this comes back to that first factor – durability – which is what most people are looking for in a good solid bag. also things like, “what kind of pockets does this have,” “how does this sit on my frame,” etc.

[...]after all this research, I was really really close to buying a topo design, baggu, or cotopaxi bag, but my partner convinced me that the best, most sustainable bag is the one that you already have, until it falls apart. and they’re right ;_;

Notes for the spreadsheet itself

This spreadsheet is best viewed from a desktop computer (not mobile); the Google sheets app can work to view it in a pinch. Check out the secondhand sources all the way to the right & at the bottom.

Prices are in USD and sizes are listed in US-equivalents. All of these brands definitely ship to USA and to their country of origin (if outside of USA). Almost all of them ship internationally. Please check websites to confirm.

I picked these brands for:

• their timeless and/or completely original looks;
• the care that goes into each garment;
• the prices and availability;
• commitment to low-waste packaging;
• size-inclusivity;
• having at least a few unisex/androgynous/masculine styles;
• and a commitment to diversity in their models.

More info about fabrics and certain high-profile slow fashion brands can be found here, as a starting point:

• https://directory.goodonyou.eco/
• https://goodonyou.eco/ultimate-clothing-material-guide/
• https://www.clotheshorsepodcast.com/

So, to get this out of the way, I'm a cisgender white man from a well-off family in a fairly affluent town. I'm making this post because I want to hear perspectives from those who are different from and likely significantly more knowledgeable than me. (Literally as I was writing this post, I came to the epiphany that I should probably more properly educate myself on socialism.)

TL;DR: What is your opinion on giving money to houseless people you see IRL?

I like to consider myself socialist/progressive in thought---in favor of wealth redistribution via various methods, live and let live, freedom for everyone as long as you're not materially harming anyone, etc.---but I grew up in a fairly conservative household (more socially than fiscally, but even then). Being in a rich area, I never really saw houseless people around unless I went to one of the nearby cities, and the general policy was keep walking and don't look. My parents definitely raised me to be kind and generous, but more in a detached "give to charity" way.

Rather recently, I've really embraced this idea of being socialist, and I've become very free with giving my money in particular (though I'm aware I could do more, like join a DSA branch or somethin'). I love giving to non-profit organizations when I can, I support creators I like on Patreon. I've even started giving to people on Fedi who I've seen need money for whatever reason. Spread the wealth, right?

Now, things have changed where I live, and even in my rich lil burb, you can usually find at least one refugee or houseless person when you go out to a grocery store or something. I just saw a guy who was standing outside a grocery store asking for spare change, and it was a rare occasion that I actually had cash in my wallet. On my way out, I gave it to him. Simple.

But I feel weird about it. I have all these ideas in my head from White America saying that they'll just buy alcohol or drugs with it or that they're scamming me or anything else like that. Then on the other hand, I think that it's just as likely (if not more) that they're going to spend it on things they actually need to live and how it's not my job to police how they use their money. And then on the third hand, I think that maybe it would be better to donate money to organizations that help out houseless people than just giving money to random people. Then on the fourth hand---you get the idea.

For those of you who actually read the whole post and didn't stop at the TL;DR, I have a few questions:

1. Why in God's name did you actually read this whole thing?
2. Are these feelings normal or am I just a self-centered prick?
3. What are your opinions on giving money to houseless people you just randomly meet?
4. As a bonus question for the socialists out there: Any recs on socialism learning resources for someone who likes reading, but doesn't like reading books?

For those of you who made it all the way to the end, thank you for reading my neurotic ramblings.

EDIT: I didn't really expect this to blow up... but thank you all so much for your perspectives on everything. It was exactly what I was hoping for and exactly what I didn't think I was going to get. I tried to read everything and I feel simultaneously less conflicted, but definitely more... not confused, but maybe full of ideas?

Now is a good time to think about a small way you can help, even it it's just making an effort to pick up some rubbish on a walk. For me, it's winter and I start to feel a bit down from the lack of sunlight hours so i like to give myself a very small and achievable goal that can give me a little boost of serotonin. Between winter bugs, storms, and work things, I haven't been getting outside enough. I want to make an effort to go walk the local reserves at least once next month and pick up rubbish. It's small but it leaves me room to do even more if I'm feeling up to it without feeling guilty if I only have one good day of energy.

What small things are you wanting to do?

I was listening to the radio, and I found this podcast called Democracy Vibe Check. It's about civics and being active in your comunity. Give it a listen!

The episode I was listening to was about how to nurture your community, mainly through volunteering. An interesting few renarks I heard from the episode was that you can volunteer more than time and money. You can also volunteer your talent and experiences to help out a certain group of people. Volunteering is also a great way to get new skills that can be used elsewhere in your career.

This has made me think a little more deeply about how I can volunteer, and ehat strengths I can bring to volunteering. I hope this helps some of you as well, too!

After giving my first presentation at our local community council meeting I've come to the conclusion that the show is a real documentary. While my presentation went great (who doesn't love a conveniently located garden and free food?!?), there was heckling of other presenters for having the audacity to get university educations on the topics they were presenting and an attempted coup on the council board by a frighteningly large group of anti 5g truthers. Ironically, making and consuming videos over their 4g. My favourite part was the community theatre group rehearsing in the next room, giving the meeting a dramatic soundtrack. My partner has had to do meetings through work and said he has had similar experiences. It was all a lot funnier when I was watching it on a screen and not real people in my community but at least I can try to make some changes i guess 😅

Communities can only thrive when a representative group of it's members are pushing for change, don't let it just be fringe groups! In times with amplified hate, its crucial for those of us who have the time and energy to go to the monthly meetings to fight for the rights of those who can't. You don't need to be overly involved or start any projects, you just need to sign up, attend some meetings and vote!

This isn’t something I’m doing, but it is something to keep in mind if you want to work designing or implementing emergency housing.

I think I’m having a bit of an autistic burnout moment over politics. I’m moving a lot more left over the years but just don’t feel like I can do anything. I have 2 years left on a work contract and it would be killer to lose that job, but also I want to help people in ways where quitting might be the best option. I want to learn about politics and history more, but I also don’t want to stress about it because I don’t feel like it changes things that much. Id like a community that talks about these feelings and I feel like this should be that community for me. Let’s just chat about it.

Is it a favourite park or walking track? The library? Do you have a really fun festival that your community is known for? Tells us about it!

The mini pantry movement is a grassroots, crowdsourced solution to immediate and local need. Whether a need for food or a need to give, mini pantries help feed neighbors, nourishing neighborhoods.

the website also provides steps on how to make one yourself, how to promote that you've made one, and issues you may or may not run into in making one. if that's not comprehensive enough for you, here's an even bigger list of resources.

if you learn by video, Hallmark Channel also has a video linked on the website:

DIY Little Free Pantry - Home & Family

and of course, if one already exists nearby and you don't have the resources to make one? stock it up! or take what you need from it!

This is just one good resource. I’d recommend the social.coop mastodon instance for more!

Every city should have a toy library. With limited space and limited income our toy library has been essential to my daughters playtime happiness. It's sustainable, teaches responsible toy care, allows her to try out new things and access the flash toys we wouldn't be able to otherwise. It also creates a sense of community from a young age. She sees her friends playing with the same truck she borrowed the week before and gets excited about taking home the castle toy she's seen. The anticipation of waiting for the next toy she's been eyeing brings Christmas-morning like joy all year round without adding to over consumption of new products that end up neglected.

Our toy library has things like dressups, large outdoor toys, play sets, baby activity centres, boardgames, and pretty much everything in between. It's been an equaliser for lower income families as their kids can have access to those motorised cars, the fancy pickler triangle/climbing sets, and name brand toys without actually having to buy them.

a quick intro on how to get started

It's such a neat concept that can make certain expensive services like lawyers or therapists more accessible. I could trade a few hours gardening, sewing, cleaning, or baking, for someone else to give me a hand building a larger project. It's a beautiful way to connect a community through acts of service 🥰

no doubt some of you are already quite familiar with these--they might even be a staple in your community already--but for those of you who have not heard of repair cafes before, here's a concept of how the most organized ones work:

Repair Cafés are free meeting places and they’re all about repairing things (together). In the place where a Repair Café is located, you’ll find tools and materials to help you make any repairs you need. On clothes, furniture, electrical appliances, bicycles, crockery, appliances, toys, et cetera. You’ll also find expert volunteers, with repair skills in all kinds of fields.

Visitors bring their broken items from home. Together with the specialists they start making their repairs in the Repair Café. It’s an ongoing learning process. If you have nothing to repair, you can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. Or you can lend a hand with someone else’s repair job. You can also get inspired at the reading table – by leafing through books on repairs and DIY.

the most "formally" organized of these are also frequently affiliated with Repair Café International Foundation, a foundation which exists to promote and advance the concept (they also collaborate with iFixit to produce repair guides). affiliated ones are also very common in Europe, which isn't surprising since the Foundation is based out of Amsterdam. on non-European continents, these are less frequent and mostly found in larger cities (the site keeps a list with contact information if you'd like to get in touch with one). if you're in a larger city and looking for a quick and simple way to get involved in something or volunteer a repair skill, you might be able to just check out one near you. if you want to start one affiliated with the Foundation i believe they have a whole kit and process for that detailed on the site.

but the idea of "organizing a space where people can come and get things fixed, help fix things, and learn how to fix things" is also a simple one that transcends any one group and can probably be organized just about anywhere. you don't have to be affiliated with anyone to make that happen, you just need the people, the tools, and a good scope of what you can offer between those two things. if you and a friend think you can offer literally any kind of basic repair--however humble--to people in your community, however large or small? that's a good seed to start something like this from.

First, I'm sorry if this isn't 100% on brand, I know that this is more of a community betterment aimed community, but I wanted to post here because it can be very hard/overwhelming to take on personal improvement projects when you're not sure how to do them. So I was hoping it would help people! Mods if this is too off topic, I 100% am good with you deleting it.

My wife and I have been complaining about how our trash cans keep getting infested with creepy crawlies that that build nests in the wheels out of the plan debris. I had no idea how go best go about fixing this, so I just did it. I bought ten of these 16x16" paver stones, dug downs a little, and used that big ass wood beam thing in the photo as a sort of leveler. Then I backfilled around the edges so they sit fairly flush and won't settle too much. It won't be perfect, but long term we want to replant this area of the yard anyway. Not every solution needs to be the very best or permanent, even if it just helps for a little while, it helps!

The Community Toolbox is a resource provided by the Center for Community Health and Development at the University of Kansas, and I've referenced them from time to time in my college organizing work. It has a strong focus on non-profits, but there's still a lot of stuff that I think is really pertinent to community organizing in general.

Two of my friends wanted to keep bees in an urban environment. After a lot of brainstorming the idea of an educational beehive was born. With the Plexiglas enclosure it is safely possible to come up really close to the hives.

There were many volunteers, and I was part of the 6 core people who built the structure. This was 10 years ago, and I have learned a lot about bees and even given tours to the garden and hives for elementary school groups. We just had the 10th annual bee fest. It is so rewarding to see a project have this kind of longevity and positive impact in the community. I've met a lot of people through this effort, some have turned into really good friends.

I'll stop rambling now, but happy to answer questions below :)

Hello! Beehaw has been a wonderful new community that I joined this weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to connect with people all over the world.

I thought I would share some of the tips and practices I do on Sunday night ahead of another work week to avoid anxiety of “Sunday Scaries,” as we approach the end of the day. While I wrote this with the a 8-5 P, Monday-Friday perspective, a lot of the practices can be applied to other schedules.

I have found that on Sunday afternoon, getting the necessary things set up for the week ahead can really help me disconnect and enjoy my evening. Also, some mindfulness practices can always help ward off bad vibes.

• 30-60 minutes of chores and cleaning your spaces can really a difference. I find that a clean space is always easier to relax in. Also, chores like laundry can remove something from the week ahead.

• meal prep or planning out the week ahead in general is something that I will do on Sunday afternoons to make the week easier and can be a fun activity to do with a partner.

• In general, if you struggle with disconnecting from work, one technique is to practice with to-do lists. Creating a list on Friday afternoon of everything left over from the week, and what things you have to do on Monday morning. Keeping a list like this allows you to mentally disconnect and if work thoughts creep in, you can know that you’ve already kept track of everything and are ready to go for Monday.

• exercise is always a solid option, even something light like a walk can significantly improve your mental health. Only 3 hours of exercise a week is correlated with a significant impact on your physical health.

• Making sure to take extra time for something relaxing like a long shower can go a long way.

• Practices regarding mindfulness and meditation are powerful tools for creating internal space to help stabilize us in this busy world. Keeping a simple gratitude journal (I like the app DayOne), speciality apps like Daylio for tracking moods, or use of meditation apps like Insight Timer (Try a 5 minute session with Linda Hall).

• Even practices like setting out clothes, making lunch for the next day, anything where you can do a favor for your future morning self can go a long way on Monday morning.

Just wanted to share on this topic and some things that have worked for me in the past. A little bit of preparation goes a long way and helps really bring some elements of peace into the Sunday night routine.

Hi everyone! Saw the announcement and immediately ran here.

My question is this: do any of you have any goals that you've been actively working on?

For me, I've been trying to work on my GED that I abandoned a decade ago. Signed up for courses and everything.

Another thing I am trying to learn is more about Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and how that can help me learn how to cope with stress.

Finally, I have major ADHD so I've been trying to do note-taking in my day to day life. Started journaling, taking notes on Youtube videos I watch that I think are important for me to remember, habit tracking, so forth.

How about you? What are you trying to do to better yourself?