Doll Can Create

Hi friends, and welcome! I’m so glad you could join me. This past weekend, I went through a huge decluttering session with a group of others online, and it made me realize just how much stuff I have. Have you ever taken a moment to think about how many items are in your kitchen, in that one forgotten corner, or scattered throughout your home?

As I continue my journey with the 100 Mile Life, I want to dive into household essentials—what we need, what we don’t, and how we can replace items sustainably within our local area.

The Reality Check on Household Items

Take a moment to consider: How many dishes do you own? How many pots, pans, gadgets, and miscellaneous tools are in your kitchen? More importantly, when something breaks, what is your instinct? Do you immediately turn to Amazon for a replacement? That used to be me. But if we’re truly committed to the 100 Mile Life, we need a different approach.

For me, the answer is thrifting. Right now, I’m searching for a square baking pan—either an 8×8 or 9×9. Sure, I could order one online and have it delivered tomorrow. But instead, I’m choosing to visit a local thrift store, where I’m almost certain to find one. And even if I don’t, I already have round baking pans that will serve the same purpose. Do I truly need to spend money at all?

Thrift stores are treasure troves filled with baking items, dishes, utensils, glassware, and even kitchen electronics. However, it’s easy to walk out with more than you need, so I follow the “one in, one out” rule—if I bring something new into my home, something old must go.

Thinking Beyond Convenience

The convenience of new products often comes at a cost. Many household goods travel thousands of miles from manufacturing sites in China, India, and other distant locations. The transportation industry is massive, and while I love tracking ships on the Great Lakes and seeing what goods they carry, I’ve decided I don’t want to contribute unnecessarily to that cycle. I have enough.

Reducing Paper and Cleaning Products

Household sustainability isn’t just about dishes and gadgets—it extends to disposable products as well. How much paper do we really need? Could we use rags instead of paper towels? And while I won’t dive into the topic of toilet paper just yet, it’s another area worth considering.

Cleaning products are another area for reflection. Do we really need a chemical-based cleaner for every surface? Often, a simple spray bottle with water will do the trick. I plan to use up the cleaning products I already own before deciding on more eco-friendly alternatives. While sustainable options can be more expensive, buying fewer unnecessary items makes room in the budget for quality, local products.

Moving Forward with the 100 Mile Life

So, what can you do in your home to make it more 100 Mile Life-friendly? Are there items you could source locally instead of buying new? Are there ways to simplify and reduce waste?

I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you have any insights or questions, feel free to leave a comment and share this with anyone who might be interested. The 100 Mile Diet has its challenges—especially in winter—but I’m committed to finding a way, whether it’s through fiber, food, household goods, or clothing (which we’ll discuss in the next post).

Let’s create a life that is not only fulfilling but also conscious of our impact.

Buy locally. Live sustainably.

This is Doll from Doll Can Create and you can too. Thanks for reading—see you next time!