Google the most popular New Years resolutions and you'll find a lot of advice on how to succeed at eating healthier and exercising more, while cutting back on vices like drinking and smoking. Some people try to get more creative, resolving to cook something new every week or start a gratitude journal. While these resolutions hold promise in transforming our lives and outlooks, many times they fall flat.

At FAUN, we see the value of creating goals and boundaries for yourself as we head into the new year. So, we ask ourselves, what if these changes could improve the world at large? This post-holiday season, in addition to the usual resolutions, we’re focusing on ways that we can become more mindful consumers. This means considering our consumption and shopping practices and their impact on other individuals and the environment.

1. Follow brands that align with your values

This one is one you can do today, and it’s purging your Instagram account from brands that don’t align with your consumption values. Figure out what boundaries you want to put around your consumption - if you want to buy from sustainable clothing companies, find ones that post content related to their sustainability practices. If you want to eat less meat, follow vegetarian or vegan accounts that post delicious recipes. By changing the messages you see every day, it’s easier to create habits that you’ll stick with on the journey to becoming a more mindful, responsible consumer.

FAUN’s favourite sustainable fashion accounts include, @thesustainablefashionforum and @consciousstyle.

2. Buy Purposefully

In the last 15 years we’ve seen a dramatic increase in consumption due to cheap clothing and accelerated trend cycles, driven by the fast fashion industry. This throwaway culture is resulting in environmental destruction (carbon emissions, textile waste and micro-plastic pollution), and worker exploitation.

Remember: it’s not a good deal if you don’t need it.

And just like that, that $10 dress just became expensive AF.

Resolve to end the habit of consumption by putting extra thought into your purchases. Start off by making a list of things you need, rather than shopping on a whim. When buying ask yourself:

1. Does this company’s values align with my own? If animal rights are important to you, look for vegan options and companies that don’t test on animals. If you’re a social activist, consider purchasing from BIPOC or women-owned businesses.

2. Will I use this often and for a long time? When I purchase something, I always think about the cost-per-wear (calculated by dividing the cost of an item by the number of times you use it). Many people think of fast fashion as more affordable, but if you only wear a $18 trendy halter top twice, you’re paying $9 per wear. Compare this to an $80 pair of black trousers from an ethically-made clothing brand (like FAUN, *hint hint*). A piece like this is much more versatile and timeless. So, if you wear them 2 times a week for the next 4 years you're looking at about 80 cents per wear. When buying, put an emphasis on personal style and what you see yourself wearing for years to come, rather than getting caught up in the fleeting trends perpetuated by fast fashion.

3. Thrift, Upcycle, Donate

Most textiles are not recyclable, therefore contributing to the microplastic pollution in our oceans. By shopping for second-hand fashion, you can help reduce the harmful impact clothes have on the environment. With tons of different online thrifting options out there, it’s easier than ever to search for styles that have already been brought into the fashion ecosystem. Thrifting is a great option for vintage trends and a way to reuse items that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Upcycling is a version of this, where old styles are repurposed into new ones, apps like Depop are great for finding resale options.

With tons of different online thrifting options out there, it’s easier than ever to search for styles that have already been brought into the fashion ecosystem. Thrifting is a great option for vintage trends and a way to reuse items that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Upcycling is a version of this, where old styles are repurposed into new ones. If you’re not into used clothing or don’t have a knack for repurposing your own clothing, in the new year we recommend donating clothing items that you no longer wear and replacing them with higher-quality items from sustainable brands. By donating clothing, you’re allowing someone else to reuse stuff you no longer have space for while eliminating waste.

4. BECOME BESTIES WITH YOUR REUSABLE SHOPPING BAG

Consistent use of a reusable shopping bag is of the easiest ways to reduce single-use plastics. The average family meanwhile accumulates 60 plastic bags in only four trips to the grocery store. Besides the accumulation of excess plastic in landfills, over 100,000 whales, seals, turtles and other marine animals are killed by plastic bags each year worldwide.

Every reusable shopping bag has the potential to eliminate an average of 1,000 plastic bags over its lifetime. The easiest way to make this a part of your routine? The second you unpack your groceries, return your reusable bags to your car or hang them on your front door handle so you have the visual cue to bring them with you on your next outing. The FAUN tote bags are made of recycled cotton and a cute way to represent a local, women-owned fashion brand.

5. Learn to Sew

One of the easiest ways to extend a product’s lifecycle is to start off with alterations. How many times have you bought something online, only for it to sit in your closet unworn because it doesn’t quite fit right? If you’re intimidated by a needle and thread, there are easy, no-sew adhesives that can be used to hem items or patch up holes. When something starts to fall apart (even the highest quality pieces will experience wear and tear over time), consider ways of fixing something before throwing it out.