Building furniture this time didn’t feel the same

This weekend, we were back building pieces of furniture — except this time the fun felt a little different.

Now I see how much energy was needed to build something from scratch. I see the paper, the plastic that might not get recycled, I see the carbon footprint of the trucks and planes that brought this to the shop closest to me.

Now I see the people paid peanuts for spending their days in chemical-filled factories to make the things I bought, which I was (conveniently) quick to wash up before using.

Now I see my contradictions; I see my comfort and privilege; I see how difficult it is to get out of my way to change my consumer habits. I see my failure at matching my values, beliefs, and aspirations with my actions.

I see growth, too, and I ask myself: