“The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending we lay waste our powers;
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!….”
William Wordsworth wrote these words more than 2 centuries ago, but they express what I am feeling these days. As a “solopreneur” I should be preparing and promoting for the biggest shopping season of the year, BUT the commercialism I’ve been bombarded with in my inbox make me take a step back, just as I would push away from the table after gluttonous eating(!) Nevertheless, I am thinking that all this can be done differently. (Right?) Recently I have been highlighting some very talented friends’ amazing and beautiful products. In some cases you’ll meet (virtually) the beneficiaries of your purchase. I firmly believe that showcasing each other’s work will put in check the giant corporate dragons that vie for our dollars, AND boosts a small artist/vendor/non-profit. Yes, at times it feels like a naive endeavor, but it feels GOOD regardless. You may have seen some of these posted on my Instagram page. I continue to compile my “Conscientious Shoppers Guide: the series” —perhaps it becomes a perennial list that helps you discover that perfect ethically produced, sustainably sourced gift.