Yes, I am a Hypocrite
We all are. Can we move on now?
Let’s get something out of the way: if you care about climate change, you’re probably a hypocrite. I know I am. We say we love animals, but still eat meat. We care about women and children, yet still shop fast fashion. We’re horrified by what plastic is doing to our oceans, but grab plastic-wrapped food out of convenience. It’s not that we don’t care—in fact, new data from the United Nations Development Programme says a whopping 80% of us do—It’s that we live inside a system that makes living against our values almost inevitable.
In our current culture, especially online, you don’t get points for trying. You get called out for failing to be perfect.
I sometimes think the fear of being called a hypocrite is actually one of the biggest barriers to action. It’s why people hesitate to speak up, why they avoid even trying. Because how embarrassing is it to admit you care about the planet and immediately have someone come at you for flying home for the holidays or ordering something off Amazon? In our current culture, especially online, you don’t get points for trying. You get called out for failing to be perfect.
But this fear? It’s paralyzing us.
We live in a capitalist, consumption-driven world that wasn’t built to support sustainable lifestyles. To reject the system entirely means becoming a Thoreau-style hermit, or finding a life on the fringes of a society most people are bound to. That might be an option for the few, but it’s not practical for the many. And frankly, it’s not how change happens.
Real change happens when regular people start doing small things—not perfectly, but persistently. When we acknowledge the tension between what we believe and how we live, we unlock the power to act anyway.
We don’t need purity. We need progress.
So here’s what I’m proposing: let’s stop being afraid of the H-word. Let’s own the contradiction. Let’s say, yes, I still buy snacks in plastic sometimes, but I’m also switching to shampoo bars. Yes, I took a flight this year, but I’m also funding a coral reef restoration project. Yes, I’m part of the problem—and I’m still committed to being part of the solution.
Because if we wait to act until we can do it perfectly, we’ll never act at all. And if we wait to share our action with others until we believe we are above reproach, we’ll miss out on the opportunity to inspire hundreds if not thousands of others.
And maybe, just maybe, if more of us were willing to embrace our messy, imperfect efforts to live in alignment with our values, we’d inspire others to do the same. Maybe we’d stop feeling paralyzed, and start feeling powerful.
In each issue I try to share small and accessible steps we can take. From switching to plant-based dog food to watching a new documentary on regenerating soil health. In these, I hope you find something that helps you move forward. Longer term, I hope I can help create a community where we can all feel comfortable in our hypocritical daily effort.
Because a little is always better than nothing. And right now, the world needs all of us—flawed, hopeful, hypocritical and human—doing whatever we can.
The Eco-Luxury Edit:
Donkey & Goat - Donkey & Goat is a trailblazer in California’s natural wine movement, known for low-intervention methods and radical transparency (they were among the first U.S. wineries to list ingredients on labels). Since 2004, they’ve crafted terroir-driven wines using wild yeast, native fermentation, and zero additives—long before it was trendy. Bonus:
Story mfg. - Story mfg. is redefining what luxury fashion can be—radically kind, culturally rich, and unapologetically progressive. Founded by a husband and wife duo, the brand fuses timeless style with social activism, working hand-in-hand with global artisans to revive traditional craft. Every vegan, cruelty-free garment is made with natural dyes and regenerative farming practices, proving that beauty and integrity can coexist. They repurpose offcuts into paper tags, avoid toxic chemicals, and design clothing with longevity and skin-kindness in mind. Deeply anti-racist and transparent, Story mfg. shows that fashion doesn’t have to be wasteful or exclusive—it can help build a better world.
Photo c/o Story mfg.
Our Place - Our Place is the cult-favorite kitchenware brand behind the Always Pan, beloved for its beauty and versatility. But it’s not just pretty—every piece features PFAS-free ceramic coating and arrives in recycled packaging. Their new recycling program lets you return old cookware for responsible disposal and 20% off. Thoughtful, stylish, and community-driven, Our Place makes sustainability feel like second nature.
Our Place’s Bestselling Always Pan
Armadillo - Armadillo is a female-founded rug company out of Australia that believes, like me, luxury can be used as a force for good. The brand creates soulful, handwoven rugs using natural fibers and ancient artisan techniques. As the first Australian-American rug maker to achieve B Corp status, Armadillo is deeply committed to sustainability, education, and ethical design. They remain transparent by releasing annual Impact Reports to demonstrate their progress. Their philosophy of “Quiet Living” embraces slow design, transparency, and cultural preservation—offering timeless, tactile pieces that ground the home in beauty and meaning. Every rug reflects not only exquisite craftsmanship, but also a deeper mission: to honor people and planet, and to leave the world softer, calmer, and better.
Photo c/o Armadillo Goodee - Goodee is a curated platform founded by designers Byron and Dexter Peart that offers home décor made with purpose—supporting artisans, fair trade producers, and circular design. From pillows to lighting, to the below children’s play set made from repurposed toys, each piece is vetted for environmental and social impact.
Photo c/o Goodee
5 Things That Made Me Hopeful This Week:
A breakthrough recycling method from the University of Amsterdam can now separate polyester and cotton from blended fabrics—making full recycling finally possible! This could massively cut fashion waste and carbon emissions, bringing us one big step closer to truly circular clothing.
In one of the poorest towns in America, Enfield, North Carolina’s Mayor Mondale Robinson is leading a bold clean energy revolution—building a solar farm, weatherization hub, and resilience center to cut bills, create jobs, and empower a historically underserved Black community to thrive on its own terms.
Republican lawmakers across states like Iowa, Georgia, and Missouri are now championing community solar—making clean energy more accessible and affordable for everyone. It’s proof that solar power isn’t partisan when it cuts bills, supports farmers, boosts local economies, and puts power back in people’s hands.
A new global poll shows business leaders overwhelmingly support a fast shift to renewable energy—97% back moving away from fossil fuels, with most wanting it done within 10 years. They see clean power as key to energy security, economic growth, and future investment—and they're demanding governments clear the way.
In a landmark win for climate justice, a Dutch court upheld The Hague’s groundbreaking law banning fossil fuel ads—declaring public health more important than corporate profits. Campaigners hope this sets off a global wave of cities ditching ads that fuel the climate crisis.
Something I wrote recently:
Drinking Our Pee
So, I’ve been drinking my pee--
She said, she did not say
Look at me! Look at me!
But I can’t help but feel
The insincerity
Here’s what I’m up to,
How I spend my time
Did that shock you? Good.
A deluge of pantomime
Their messages conveyed urgently through light
from our screen.
What does it mean?
It says, I am right, I am THE light.
It does not say
I rely on the dark
Follow me through the shadows in your heart
To the place
Where self-understanding
Has yet to grace.
Because, you see,
I need you this way.
To stay glued
To that device
To not think twice
When I tell you my truth
And I feed you the lies
That I devise.
My message, ephemeral
Here for a moment.
Based entirely
On unformed identity
This cult of content
Depends on the ability
To demand
I mean…to hold your attention
This chain of command,
It’s tightening
Like a noose
Produce! Produce!
Never mind nuance
No time for that here
Just 30 seconds to bend your ear
If I rest for a moment,
I fear
It will all collapse
Your memory of me, lapse
So I post more and more
Your attention diverted
All meaning, deserted
The algorithm prevails
Ignore the snake eating its tail
Ignore that content for content’s sake
Made of passing thoughts
Unexamined, half-baked
Devoid of intention, mere ego-feed…
Feels a bit like we’re the ones drinking our pee.
Thanks again for subscribing and going on this journey with me as we uncover true eco and ethical-luxuries and the positive ripple effect they can have on our lives and communities. Let me know what you learned or found useful, and whether you’ve tried any of the brands or ideas in this edit for yourself!
Let's build a future of conscious indulgence, together!
Until next time
-Bonnie