Ecology Is Fun - Enhancing The Joy Of The Everyday
Ecology is ever more at the forefront of the ‘to do’ list, cropping up in all areas of life. Not surprisingly, it was the theme very confidently expressed when talking to manufacturers during the Stockholm Design Fair this year. This is nothing new for the Nordic market where ecology has always been part of production and for decades at top of the design industry. Ecology generally though has always had a bit of a slightly drab ‘must do’ label to it, calling our conscience, to be a ‘good person, do the duty’. While now things seem to shift rather swiftly. Across all board a wide range of recycled materials are emerging, presenting new, attractive results. They no longer have the ‘we must do’, but rather we ‘love doing this’, an upbeat tune in attitude to them. Now there is a freshness coming along with lots of colour, great graphics, new products with a playful approach, bringing fun into the game.
Companies pride themselves through bright video presentations what they do and why. Telling their story, sharing their values of ethical material sourcing, regional production, the use of nontoxic components, minimum plastic packing for furniture deliveries but using heaps of blankets instead and these reused over and over again, as explained by the furniture manufacturer Kinnarps. They also use better, more efficient vehicle packing so more pieces fit into the trucks, allowing for less of them to run the roads.
Ecology is not just the environment, earth, water and air but also how we treat people, care for staff, childcare, flexible work hours, professional and emotional support. It is a circle where everything connects to everything. And to ship toxins round the world being dumped in places we prefer not to think of should no longer be an option. The manufacturer looks to invest in waste handling and how to reuse spill. We have the power to choose. Every life is valuable.
With new developments consumers get more choices, want to be there with their decision for ecology. We realise, every individual has the power to contribute. We do not automatically want to endorse products that don’t match worthwhile values. We welcome a lighter, more playful approach to find solutions for our wellbeing. For example simple items such as waste bins made upbeat are visual contributors not visual polluters, like these by Trece.se which come as a stylish set of guards, confidently signalling it’s fun to be part of the ‘we care’ club.
Much effort has been made to bringing production home. This creates a closer relationship between sourcing, manufacturing and end consumer, building relations that matter, instead of working into the anonymous void. People who are part of a community feel valued, bringing better results to the table. We care for our environment, it becomes more tangible, realising footprints left will show up. We care for waste disposal and how to minimise by reusing production spill. Fabric manufacturer Svensson’s uses cut fibres from weaving process, twinning new yarn, creating a recycled fabric at durable quality, fit for commercial use, continually developing the process for more product variety to emerge.
It is with great urgency many prophets of today are pushing to change our ways, to take responsibility and while this is much needed, it always has such tight, commanding air round it, far from the joy of living which we all ultimately aspire to. Life should not be a drag…..
Once the feeling of strain has settled, a more relaxed approach supports solutions which make us more comfortable, changing our routines and ‘must have’ addictions.
At the Design Fair, one of the manufacturers displayed all their accessories sourced to be second hand, found at thrift stores, which is apparently what they have done for years, including all their accessories for office kit out, crockery for canteen, etc., all looking stylish and of course adding a personal flair, making a setting less stereotype instead more personal. One gets an immediate sense of involvement for the good of all. To connect is part of the ecological road.
It is a fact, we need to reconfigure our ways of consumption in all aspects of life and while looking for new solutions not just within technology and production, people on all levels in society need to ask, what do I do, how and why? Everyone counts and while at it, let’s look at new ways of how to conduct our everyday, play with new ideas, allow to step out of the circle of conventional set ups and structures. New ideas birth conscientious decision making, forming a new ‘reality’. To find sustainable solutions, an aspect of excitement needs to be involved as it makes the journey optimistic which creates a driving factor. If we allow to play, we have fun and fun is much needed to bring meaningful, supportive progress into the everyday. Fun should be a norm, not the exemption of what life is about. Without play there is no joy, allowing joyful existences is a choice we each make. We need to readdress that process anew. It is chosen, created and put into action by individual awareness. We all have the power to choose in every moment and however ‘small’ our choice might be, everything adds up and counts. So let’s support ourselves by enjoying the ride. Choosing what feels right for us, the earth, the environment, our society, with values that are worthwhile living for. We are all One and will not be able to escape.
One thing leads to another, through ecology we become more aware of ourselves and the impact of our choices, which will birth and influence other areas such as the economy where new ways of monetary distribution will emerge. I can’t wait to see what new ideas are coming our way, allowing myself to dream the best scenario I can. I know my, and everyone’s vision has an impact, so let’s dream big, bold and colourful.
