So great to get to know Sydney a little better. I enjoy Sydney’s newsletter very much and it was nice to hear the backstory here.
A few years ago, I dove deep into natural soapmaking. I really enjoyed it! And all my friends did too ha ha. I only recently ran out of soap and might have to break out the fixings and jump back in :-)
Great to read your story Sydney, and thanks to Allegra for sharing it! The part where you say there are really practical reasons for your choices, not just "following your heart" - that gave me pause. It makes me think that, yes, there is this kind of judgement that if you're doing things different then you're "being a dreamer" or idealistic in a woo woo sense. But there can be real, concrete benefits. Also "Exploring life “outside the box” isn’t about trading one set of norms and requirements for another.... it’s to our benefit to look beyond the models that an industrialized, hyper-consumeristic, wealth-concentrating system presents to us as “the best life”. So well said! And the thing is, we don't all have the same choices available to us. Not everyone is physically capable of clearing land, sewing napkins, etc. Instead they may show kindness to others, or write a letter to try to change policies or whatever is available to them.
That's such an important part about not everyone having the same choices available to them. It's so important to remember that our way isn't the right way for everyone, and it isn't possible for everyone. Whether we take a conventional path or not!
"When you grow your own food, on whatever scale, there is an inherent benefit to how you think about food. You value it more personally, and you begin to choose it more intentionally, and to enjoy it more mindfully. When you spend time learning more about the natural world around you, there is an inherent benefit to how you think about daily living. You value nature more personally when you take the time time to get to know it, and so you want to be more respectful of that connection. When you learn to make something by hand that you used to purchase, there is an inherent benefit to how you think about consumption. You value the resources and the labor more personally, and you want to make the best use of them."
Oh, I resonate with this so much. Growing food, connecting with the natural world and making things from scratch and by hand are some of the richest yet simplest pleasures of life.
I agree you also don't need to live rurally on acerage to live this kind of life. We live in a small town only an hour from the city, on a 1/4 acre block within a beautiful community and this lifestyle works perfectly here for us.
Thank you for sharing your this wonderful story Sydney and Allegra 💛
So great to get to know Sydney a little better. I enjoy Sydney’s newsletter very much and it was nice to hear the backstory here.
A few years ago, I dove deep into natural soapmaking. I really enjoyed it! And all my friends did too ha ha. I only recently ran out of soap and might have to break out the fixings and jump back in :-)
Thank you for this great interview!
Don you’re such fun! Soap making 💌
Ha ha thank you, Danusia! 😊
Loved this interview so much! Thanks Sydney for this nourishment and Allegra for crafting this beautiful interview series. ♥️♥️
Great to read your story Sydney, and thanks to Allegra for sharing it! The part where you say there are really practical reasons for your choices, not just "following your heart" - that gave me pause. It makes me think that, yes, there is this kind of judgement that if you're doing things different then you're "being a dreamer" or idealistic in a woo woo sense. But there can be real, concrete benefits. Also "Exploring life “outside the box” isn’t about trading one set of norms and requirements for another.... it’s to our benefit to look beyond the models that an industrialized, hyper-consumeristic, wealth-concentrating system presents to us as “the best life”. So well said! And the thing is, we don't all have the same choices available to us. Not everyone is physically capable of clearing land, sewing napkins, etc. Instead they may show kindness to others, or write a letter to try to change policies or whatever is available to them.
That's such an important part about not everyone having the same choices available to them. It's so important to remember that our way isn't the right way for everyone, and it isn't possible for everyone. Whether we take a conventional path or not!
"When you grow your own food, on whatever scale, there is an inherent benefit to how you think about food. You value it more personally, and you begin to choose it more intentionally, and to enjoy it more mindfully. When you spend time learning more about the natural world around you, there is an inherent benefit to how you think about daily living. You value nature more personally when you take the time time to get to know it, and so you want to be more respectful of that connection. When you learn to make something by hand that you used to purchase, there is an inherent benefit to how you think about consumption. You value the resources and the labor more personally, and you want to make the best use of them."
Oh, I resonate with this so much. Growing food, connecting with the natural world and making things from scratch and by hand are some of the richest yet simplest pleasures of life.
I agree you also don't need to live rurally on acerage to live this kind of life. We live in a small town only an hour from the city, on a 1/4 acre block within a beautiful community and this lifestyle works perfectly here for us.
Thank you for sharing your this wonderful story Sydney and Allegra 💛
So happy to hear that, Stephanie! It's wonderful to know you're out there building life around these simple pleasures in your community :) 💕
What a beautiful story and interview! I fell in love with this family through hearing about their journey. I’m excited for your next edition!
Aren't they amazing?! The next installment is also a good one, I've had a sneak peek already. 😁
Thank you, Reda and Allegra, so happy to have been a part of this!
Great piece!! Thank you!!