Minimalism it is said, is good for the environment. With children is a special challenge, but also offers opportunities, says the children’s teacher, Susanne Mierau in the Interview.
Less to buy, less need. In the rich industrial countries, there is a niche trend to the ever-prevailing Abundance of the question. Things to reduce the Oversupply of ignore. Minimalism is the keyword here. Susanne Mierau lives minimalist. The toddler educator and the mother of three children blogs at geborgen-wachsen.de through a mindful and sustainable family life. Together with Milena Glimbovski, which operates in Berlin a supermarket for unpackaged food, she has written a book about minimalism with a family.
DW: for Many people the issue of minimalism to a even more particular and, ideally, more fulfilling life through Consumption. Increasingly it is also about dealing with scarce natural resources. What is the meaning of minimalism for you?
Susanne Mierau: For me, these areas are very close together: As humans, we are built upon cooperation and social Affairs and the excessive consumption stands in the way of that: In the Small as in the family, but also in the large global context, in terms of what damages are caused by our excessive consumption in other Parts of the world. Minimalism, for me, is a conscious handling of our resources, the impacts on the coexistence and thus leads to a more conscious with each other.
Mierau and Glimbovski show in your book-way to a minimalist life, Katja Vogt supports you with pictures
What are the first steps for someone who would like to try to live minimalist?
It is useful to have a range to select, in which you can try first just. For some, it is easy to dispense with unnecessary toiletries in the bathroom, to deal with what your body really needs and how the simple (and perhaps even plastic-free) way possible. For others, it is easier to use the wardrobe to go through and see how many are worn Pair of shoes and how many Shirts and what to wear instead, really like. The important thing is: It starts with a self. Does not make sense, however, it is to say to the Partner or to the children: “We have too much, we sort the times with you.”
On your Blog you write about children’s education and needs-oriented education. Can minimalism and family ever reconcile?
Yes, it actually fits very well, because there is a concentration on the Essential and the relationship is actually what families are doing really well and what you need. Often we are distracted by toys and other consumer goods from one to each other, or we use such things to replace interaction: We give the child a gift, because it will bring a good grade home, to look forward to instead of “just” together with the child.
Ideal gift for children? Spend time with the family and the happiness to share
What if not all family members in a minimalist want to live in? What are the potential areas of Conflict and how these conflicts can be solved?
Pressure and Dogma are always difficult, especially in family systems. That is why it is important, in the case of self-start and to reduce the own things. Perhaps the Partner or the partner at a few points with get want. In addition, we are automatically role models for the children. When we go shopping, we can comment on our own choices: “I buy the bananas that are not packaged separately in plastic.” In such a way, we take a long-term influence.
The danger is that the children get as the “comic nerds” problems, if you wear the “wrong” brands, not the latest game console, etc. is not?
The peer group is important for children, and children need – as well as adults – is the feeling to listen to a group to be a part of. We adults get to choose our groups easier. Children are much more dependent on the specific local conditions and on the children that are there. That is why it is so important that we as parents are sensitive and do not cut off the child’s belonging to a group. But we can discuss options and Alternatives: it is Sufficient, perhaps, to buy the “cool” brands used? How would you like to make use of toiletries and cosmetics by natural cosmetics manufacturers?
Less is more: How to pleasure with a minimalist Lifestyle finds
How are you personally come to the minimalism and consistency with which they live then?
We have always lived “eco”, and also on resources respected, and to the fact that the children are not overwhelmed with toys. In a practical manner, we have set ourselves to, because we have seen from child to child, as few things are actually really useful. And then my friend Milena came to grabs with your “Original unverpackt” Store in our lives and has influenced our views considerably.
We try to live in many areas of minimalist, but we have no white, stylish apartment in the sense of “Instagram-minimalism”. We look rather carefully and ask ourselves: do we Need really? Can we borrow something instead of buying it? My husband pays attention when cooking, to ensure that nothing is thrown away. But we are not dogmatic, and ensure that our children have freedoms that give them access to their peer group.
You still have a final advice for families who are interested in minimalism?
There are many ways to get started and it is great to make on the way and see where it leads you. Every small step is a step. It is important not to put yourself under pressure and to think that the whole life must be turned upside down. It is a journey of learning, which should also be fun.
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Life without plastic packaging: An attempt in picturesThe slightly different cosmetics
In Berlin there are now two stores, the unpackaged Goods, also ingredients for the production of cosmetics and toiletries. The recipes promise a sweet-smelling and soft skin, there are on the Internet plenty of. You just have to start.
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Life without plastic packaging: An attempt in picturesProof of the pudding is in the eating.
Theoretically, you could eat, the cosmetics, the mixture is stirred together, even. This is not to say that they would taste good or nutritious would be. But it underlines the naturalness of many of the tinctures, lotions and creams. And plastic is not even in sight.
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Life without plastic packaging: An attempt in picturesNot edible, but functional
Liquid Soaps and cleaning agents not to take, of course, to himself. You also smell is not always good, but they serve a purpose. Actually, even two, because, in addition to the cleaning, also, that you need not buy plastic-packaged industrial products more.
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Life without plastic packaging: An attempt in picturesSimple and effective
As for cosmetics, there are online also many recipes for homemade toothpaste. But if that is too expensive can also buy toothpaste tablets mint taste and the bags in paper home wears. On the teeth care toothbrush with a bamboo. And also dental floss does not get stuck in the plastic box.
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Life without plastic packaging: An attempt in picturesHard Stuff
Body care needs, no accumulation of plastic bottles. Soap, the people, Yes, even forever and three days of use, still works at least as good as a shower gel. Also Shampoos and conditioners it is in the solid state and without the environmentally harmful packaging.
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Life without plastic packaging: An attempt in picturesPockets with a sense
Supermarkets still offer plastic bags in the fruit and vegetable Department, in which customers your purchases home to wear. There are most of the bags land in the garbage. This fabric bag is much more useful. Have known that grandma and great Grandma and your bags from home for shopping brought.
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Life without plastic packaging: An attempt in picturesThose declared dead live longer?
We remain short in the case of the plastic bags. In Germany they are not officially banned. Nevertheless, some of the stores have banned plastic bags now, and no longer, or only against payment to offer you. It is not that there is no Alternative.
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Life without plastic packaging: An attempt in picturesHygiene for hygiene paper
Alternatives for toilet paper are actually harder to find. But there are, of bamboo, for example. Which are then Packed in plastic. The justification as to why conventional toilet paper in a plastic package, is by the way: “for hygienic reasons.” Really now?