Struggling with being...what does anyone do to "deconsume" or live sustainably?

Lately i've been pretty contemplative on the scourge that is the human race on our Mother Earth. I'm sure a lot of you guys will think the same, that the reality is depressing at best. I wonder what i can do to make a difference and conduct my life in a different way so to be less wasteful,etc. Lately, i think i've become a little extreme and i'm scared. Even now, in the grocery store (the only store i can still kinda go in without mentally losing it) and i was like, look at the packaging waste and terrible processed food and all the vegetables trucked or flown thousands of miles to sit "looking" pretty and fresh. I just kinda had an episode and was like no, no, not this too. Sometimes i wish i didn't care or was an idiot - it would make things easier. Now that i really don't mean, but man, i am sick of feeling sick about human existence. The only solution i see is to take positive action as individuals, hopefully creating some sort of revolution. Even if everyone took one small action to be less wasteful then i'm sure things could improve, if not only for the fact that a different perspective is seen and people actually gave a shit about more than their own little plastic bubble. I am trying to make steps to lead a more sustainable existence though, recently bought a cabin-type house that we are renovating and will eventually and hopefully take off the grid, massive space for food production, flowing water on the property, etc. We don't have a tv, washing machines or any other heat other than wood we cut ourselves (fallen timber mostly). The computer is our only real "technology" other than fridge or stove (little used, i try to cook on the woodstove when possible). We are vegetarian although my husband will eat eggs if free-run and we may get a few hens in the spring. I want to get some fire-pit action and a solar oven going in the summer for cooking too. I am an artist (there, i said it! but i'm not snobby!) and my work has really shifted because of my thoughts on waste. There already IS enough stuff, so do i really need that factory processed, fairly toxic paint and bleached paper or canvas? I am experimenting with recycled homemade paper and other recycled materials and different techniques. I nearly had a fit at the last job i worked at, a little cafe/deli type place. SO much waste, no recycling 'cause the owners were too lazy, i would bring home egg cartons, 5 gallon plastic buckets, and milk jugs to recycle myself or use for other things. It made me sick. Sad really. I'm like, if this place does this, imagine the combination of millions of other stores, restos, and factories. Anyway, tangent. So the question is, what does everyone do to fight against this throwaway society?

Couple sites i've found interesting lately... www.freegan.info
www.stewardwood.org

 

It sounds to me that you have the right idea. I have been trying to live as sustainably as possible for most of my adult life. We have been off grid, heating and cooking with wood and trying to provide our needs as much as possible by alternative means.

Keep it up.

 

Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. I recycle as much as possible, grow some of our own food and herbs. I am trying as much as possible to jump off the consumerism train and just get by on what I already have. Overconsumption and waste just makes me ill.