I’m not sure how it happened, but last year–thanks in large part to the Dope–I adopted habits or lifestyle changes associated with hippiedom (or, if you like, Europeans). To wit:
Became interested in politics. Okay, so I haven’t returned to my high school/college habit (revisited circa 2003) to carry signs in the streets, but I enjoyed reading about and discussing politics during this election season, and even dipped a toe into Great Debates!
Stopped using shampoo. Well, not stopped. I shampoo about once a week now, on the recommendation of my hair guy -* who sells me shampoo*. My hair is healthier than ever, and I save a ton of money on hair goo.
Started using the “Cup.” (do a search on DivaCup if you’re curious). Aside from a little additional rinse water, my monthly cycle has been 100% waste-free for the past few months. Awesome.
Stopped using plastic bags. I’ve been taking canvas bags to the grocery store for a while, but the real change happened when I got my first ChicoBag. This little wonder went right into my purse and hasn’t left. Not only does it mean I haven’t needed a plastic bag from the store for months, but it even limits my consumption; if my shopping won’t fit into the ChicoBag, I put something back.
Started drinking green tea instead of coffee in the mornings. I still drink coffee on weekends and sometimes as an afternoon treat, but I started a daily habit of green tea each morning on the way to work that has endowed me with a lot more energy and a lot fewer digestive issues.
Stopped eating meat. This was, to say the least, unexpected. I stopped being a vegetarian a decade ago, and since have been an avowed omnivore and Dope-approved Bacon LoverTM. But just a couple of weeks ago, for no real reason, I just decided to stop eating meat for a while (the exception being fish, so I guess I’m a, er, pescavore?). The idea would be just to see how long it lasted, and so far I haven’t been tempted. I actually like having limited menu items to choose, and as such I choose healthier. I feel better, and, by association, my boyfriend is eating less meat as well, which should only be beneficial to both of us.
Looking back on it, all this happened not because I made a conscious decision to change my life, but because it felt like the right thing at the time. I don’t do New Years resolutions, but I’m curious how the above changes will affect me this year, and what sorts of other habits I may adopt in 2009 which affect my life in comparably radical ways.
How did you change your life in 2008, or are you planning to change in 2009?
Interestingly enough, 2008 was the Year I Stopped Being a Hippie.
Superficial things, mostly. I started getting my nails done, stopped (mostly) wearing broomstick skirts, got my hair cut into a cute little layered 'do. I just needed a new look, a fresher look, for myself. I’m well aware that this, like the hippie chick thing, is a costume, but it just feels right for now. (Plus, I’m learning that my ass really looks better when you can see it, and I look slimmer in jeans than in full skirts.)
But I did start incorporating more western medicine into my medicine chest. I still love my plant friends, but western meds can be so QUICK! When I’m in pain, I’m probably at least as likely to reach for a single daily Aleve as sucking down crampbark every 2 hours. Than again, I’ve been a lot sicker this year, so there is a chicken and egg question: am I reaching for Western Meds because I’m sicker, or am I sicker because I’m using more Western Meds? Hmmm…
Wait, do you mean that Chico Bags are found outside of Chico? That they are some sort of nationwide thing, not just a generic bag a local guy slapped the words “Chico Bag” on to? Dude, I was in at the start of some sort of phenomenon and didn’t know it. Guess I’d better go dig my Chico Bag out of the closet…
Its not one thing, or ten things, or even a hundred. There probably aren’t a hundred anyway. Its more like a general direction, navigating roughly west rather than east, so to speak. Besides, truth be known, the “hippies”, as such, never really existed, the counterculture is an extension of a movement that has been going on for many a year. Maybe you’re a bit more of a hippy today than you were yesterday, but not by much.
Oooh, that reminds me of one more: I started using a Neti Pot! I don’t use it all the time, as I don’t get a lot of sinus problems. But when I start feeling something come on, I find the Neti-Pot to be MUCH faster relief than any kind of over the counter medicines. I’m not against drugstore meds, but if the alternative works and/or feels better…
I had to resist the urge to just post “This”. There haven’t been any real hippies in decades other than people living on communes who are in their 60s now. I joke around about being on old hippie but even at 49 that was before my time. I’m an old deadhead, which looked the same but wasn’t. It’s felt like there’s always been a sort of rolling counterculture going on that changes over the years and some ideas and practices get carried forward and some don’t. None of the things mentioned in the OP added up to anything like ‘hippie’ when I read them, they just sound like healthy choices to make.
There are still lots of hippies - young and old. You just don’t seem to know about them. Check out rosencomet.com for some modern day hippies and hippie festivals.
