A Fair Trade Routine Reset

The start of a new year brings pressure to overhaul everything at once. We believe meaningful change doesn't require that much. Being intentional about a few small changes will ease you onto a path for a better year.

It Starts With Intention

There's a place for long lists and complete overhauls, but the start of a year is not it. This is the time for taking care of yourself and setting goals. The most important are these three things:

1. How do I want to feel?
2. What do I want to support?
3. What impact do I want to make?

Now, write it down. We recommend a good journal that will stick with you through the year. Our Miles To Go Leather Journal is refillable and ethically made, a sustainable choice that will last.

We wrote ours. For example, we want to feel relaxed and happy, we want to support ethical practices, and we want to make a positive impact on people and the environment through intentional actions and sustainable practices. Let's use this example to show how a few small changes can set us on the right path.

Small Steps Take You To The Same Place

To feel relaxed and happy, we know staying organized and taking time to care for our mental health will make a big difference all year.

Already having a journal to stay on task, write down all the to-dos, and get the thoughts out is a big step. To feel relaxed, we're warming our bodies during the chilly season with hot tea, bathing with relaxing bath soaks, and creating a welcoming environment at home with a soy candle.

Creating a routine with these small steps, whether it's every evening or twice a week, sets the tone for the whole year. When you make self-care part of the routine, it can't get lost in the overwhelm.

What You Support Defines Who You Are

Your daily actions and habits aren't the only things that define you; what you support is part of that, too. We want to support better labor practices, the use of sustainable materials, and humane treatment of people everywhere. We support that by shopping fair trade and supporting global artisans. Do you know what you support everywhere you shop?

Taking a little time at the start of the year to research your favorite brands and understand what your money goes toward when you shop there helps you see how you're defining yourself. If their causes don't align with what you want to support, now you can support other brands this year or push them to do better! We love a champion for ethical practices.

What's Your Impact?

Now you have clear goals, a routine that supports your wellbeing, and an understanding of what you stand behind. So, what is your impact? It's actually HUGE!

These small steps have set you up for success. The impact you make goes from there. When you shop fair trade, you make an impact every day by actively supporting brands that align with you.

You're going to feel good and do good. When it starts to feel like too much or like you're going off path, turn back to your goals and reset your intentions. If your routine feels like it stops working, you can always take a deep breath and reset again.

You are worth the time and energy.

Small Routine, Big Reward

You make a difference. How you treat people, how you treat yourself, and what you support are little actions that add up to a big picture. Happy New Year, world changer. 

Ready to support global artisans and get started on your routine? Check out Latitudes Fair Trade Store for all your New Year necessities.