Look at the lush coconut trees and the bushy pink cassia trees set against a backdrop of a clear blue sky. You might think this is some exotic resort where people pay a million bucks to enjoy. But guess what? This is the home I grew up in and lived in for most of my teenage and young adult years. My parents have been living in the same house for over 40 years, and it's pure magic with its lush greenery and simple lifestyle. To understand this, let's dive into my parents' way of living. I bet many of you will resonate with their philosophy.
My home is like a mini Eden, adorned with mango, coconut, pomegranate, guava, lemon, curry, and other flowering trees. Chemicals in our garden? Never heard of them! We used coffee grinds, leftover lentil soup, and fruit skins as manure. Everything was biodegradable. Paint tubs got a second life as trash cans, and old clothes were transformed into mops. As the mop aged, new cotton strips replaced the old ones. Life was beautifully simple.
Food was cooked just enough, with leftovers rarely making it to the refrigerator. The fridge was for vegetables, dairy, fruits, and nuts. My mom always carried a cloth bag to the grocery store, and plastic was practically nonexistent in our house. Containers were mostly steel or copper. We bought things intentionally, only when needed.
Now, let's talk about clothes. I usually got hand-me-downs from my cousin or picked from a traveling salesman's limited selection. My parents also had a small wardrobe. We only bought clothes once or twice a year, but there was always enough to go around. To this day, when I visit my parents, I reuse my mom's saris or borrow from my cousin next door. We mix up our wardrobes and love wearing each other's clothes. Expensive silk saris were handed down through generations, becoming more beautiful with time.
What I learned from all this is the importance of using things until they wear out. It wasn't about fast fashion but sustainability and environmental consciousness. It was about recycling, reusing, and repurposing. They taught me to always buy with intention and question whether I truly needed something.
Maybe that's why I question the abundance of choice and the craze for the next new thing. Maybe that's why I work with designers who create fashion with a purpose, supporting indigenous tribes in India. I want to educate the next generation of these tribes to keep a dying trade alive. I want to leave this earth pristine for my daughter and future generations.
So, if you're in the market for some ethnic designer clothing, consider renting and creating a circular economy focused on sustainability and reuse. If you've bought a lot of designer clothes in the past and this story inspires you, lend your clothes to us. We can help find them a new home, and you can make some money while freeing up closet space. Let's make a difference together!