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the weight of the world
Have you ever considered the benefits of the Earth on our bodies?
What can we do to give back to the Earth?
What on Earth is Grounding?
The Weight of the World was curated by myself, a Photography Student, whose passion is design, photography and doing my bit for our amazing planet.
This little zine with big ideas has been created by a group of amazing people wanting to share their passions and thoughts with those wanting to learn more about how we can improve our relationship with Earth :)
Editor and Curator
As we all know, our senses have a lot to do with the way that we perceive the world (and even that seems like an understatement). Our sight and hearing, in my opinion, contribute the most and impact our daily lives from the minute we wake up. One day, on weekend walk in Strensall common, I began to wonder how much does touch (little bit of rhyming there)- affect our experience in the world? Touching the crunchy twigs with my beloved walking boots, I asked myself ‘how does touching the earth affect our experiences on a larger scale?’
Grounding is a concept which I have been more aware of over the past few months. I’ve dabbled with for quite some time now, especially when I’m out and about as I emerge myself in nature for photography opportunities. But I must admit, it’s not something that I’ve researched yet, which is why I’m eager to learn more about it.
world is connected to the earth for both stability and safety, whether it is your toaster or a factory. The term grounded essentially means to be stable and balanced. Our immune systems function best when our bodies have an adequate supply of electrons, which can be easily and naturally gained through barefoot contact with the Earth. Who would have known that through simply touching the earth for a while, it would actually benefit our bodies and our health?
When you are grounded you may feel, centered, balanced, strong, less tense, and even less stressed –I know I wanna feel that!
Here’s the science-y bit… The Earth is like one huge battery that holds a subtle and natural electrical charge, this is a unique type of energy which exists in the ground. Nearly everything in the electrical
In our current world, with all of the industrialisation and disconnect, we rarely go walking barefoot or sleep on the ground like many past cultures have done. There of course are still civilisations around the globe who don’t wear shoes and travel about barefoot. Most people in this day and age have little to no connection with the planet. We wear shoes with synthetic soles which insulate our feet from the ground, and we live in houses with carpets made of synthetic insulation materials. Now, I know that it isn’t feasible to be walking around barefoot all the time, especially in urban areas where there may be glass or rubbish on the pavements
or the odd dog poop! But even if it’s just every now and again, connecting your body to the earth, it seems doable, right?
You can even get special grounding footwear which often have copper or steel integrated into the sole of the shoe to allow the flow of electrons to pass through the sole and into your feet, pretty cool huh?
We can all agree that fast fashion is everywhere nowadays, shopping has never been easier, and trends are cycling through like Chris Hoy in the Velodrome! We’re exposed to new trends and styles every day, whether this is on social media or through ads. Influencers are flaunting their clothing hauls that they have spent hundreds of pounds on and if you see something you like you can purchase and receive the item within the week - if you don’t like it, you can just return it, so easy right? But do we actually ever stop to think about the effects fast fashion retailers has on the planet?
According to Business Insider, fashion production makes up around 10% of total global carbon emissions. It dries up water sources and pollutes rivers, yet 85% of all textiles go to landfills each year. Pretty scary stuff, but that’s just the start of itlet’s go through some of the environmental impacts fast fashion has.
To name a handful of the effects on the planet: the depletion of non-renewable sources, the emission of greenhouse gasses and the vast use of water and energy. The fashion industry is the second largest consumer of water - requiring around 2600 litres to produce just one cotton shirt! Dying clothes also uses large quantities of fresh water, combined with colour altering chemicals and other substances, many companies dump
their wastewater in local rivers instead of disposing of it responsibly. This is not only bad for the people who live in these areas but for our environment too - I would rather not have this on my conscience.
As you probably know, many clothing brands use synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon and acrylic, (which is something I need to stretch over that bloat from the dominos I had last night!) all of which take hundreds of years to biodegrade. According to a report from the international union for conservation of nature (IUCN), it is estimated that 35% of all microplastics in the ocean come from the laundering of synthetic textiles like polyester. I can’t be the only one thinking this is definitely not good for sea life? The process of turning plastic fibres into textiles requires large amounts of petroleum and is highly energy demanding.
Enough with the discouraging statistics, let’s think about what we can do! Shopping on fast fashion sites isn’t ideal but we have to remember that not all of us (to name one - financially struggling young adults like myself) can afford the brilliantly, highly sustainable - not so brilliantly, highly expensive clothing brands.
With this in mind, it’s important to purchase clothes you know you will wear over and over again, even after it’s no longer “trendy”. We can also ‘simply’ buy less clothing, as one of the most environmentally sustainable options is the clothing that’s already in your wardrobe. Always make sure to think twice before throwing your clothes out, is it possible to repair them, maybe upcycle them? If they’re not ruined you could always sell them on second hand apps like Depop or vinted, or donate them to friends, family, neighbours or charity shops.
Speaking of charity shops, they are a great way to purchase clothing in a more sustainable way as these clothes already exist and don’t require that large amount of water we talked about to make. Second hand clothes have been passed on to give them the opportunity to be loved by someone new, plus who doesn’t want to support local charities to do the amazing work they do!
Last thing I’m going to mention is to keep an eye on your laundry, as washing clothes, though you may not think it, does have an impact on our environment. By making sure that you fill your wash nice and full it means that less wash cycles will have to be done,
meaning less water is being used. I need to remember to take my own advice here as I have definitely been guilty of chucking in that one white shirt by itself that I seem to always spill ketchup down the front of...
It’s also worth trying not to wash items of clothing that don’t really need to be washed, I’m starting a rule in my house that if it doesn’t smell or have a stain on, it doesn’t need to be washed. (I’d maybe say the exception to this is pants and socks, but you do you!)
Washing wcith cold water also uses less energy and is therefore better for the environment. And lastly, try to air dry your clothes as
much as possible, because again, that dryer will use a heap of energy that you probably don’t need to use if it’s a dry and sunny day.
Fast fashion is pretty much unavoidable, but hopefully reading this will make you think a little bit more and maybe next time you feel the itch to do some fast fashion shopping you can remember what your old friend Synne said about the impacts before clicking purchase.
she took off her shoes...
and she felt free.
By Hannah Wigglesworth & Maff Punton
Born from a love of making and mending, Heima is an independent brick-and-mortar shop at 34 Gillygate, York. The store is run by the ever so helpful and highly knowledgeable Maff Punton, a thirdgeneration hardware store owner, who is keen to share his passion for improving and creating. With two rooms of really useful stuff, Maff and the team can help you with any question, query or problem you have with his fountain of expertise.
Over the last three years, the team at Heima has worked on gathering an amazing assortment of products – from paint to toothbrushes, deodorant to mugs, garden twine, coffee grinders and an array of brushes for your every need. With a focus on practical products which are as useful as can be, Heima is also conscious of our responsibility of taking care of the environment.
I popped down the road to have a chinwag with Maff, who very helpfully, shared his top 5 tips and picks from the Heima store that will be most useful to those who are undertaking a sustainability journey - whether you’re an eco-expert or a sustainability-stranger.
A simple way to reduce the amount of plastic you buy, at Heima we've got refills for all sorts of personal care and cleaning products, from hand washes and shampoos to laundry liquid and dishwasher powder!
Another reducer of plastics, we have bar and solid alternatives for many products which typically come in plastic packaging. Including Shower Blocks, Ben and Anna solid deodorant, EcoLiving Shampoo Bars and Toothpaste Tablets.
An easy and convenient swap! Having a reusable water bottle or coffee cup not only cuts down on single use items but keeps drinks colder or hotter for longer!
These products are great alternatives for single use items. They include washable cotton rounds, beeswax food wraps and shopping bags made with biodegradable dyes.
Another way to live more sustainably is to reduce food miles and grow some of your own food! We have a wide range of veg, herb and flower seeds and everything you'll need to get growing! Including peat-free coconut coir compost, biodegradable twines and wooden seed labels.
And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.
khalil gibran
by Georgie Reid
The global environmental crisis has an impact on our mental health. Many young millennials or Gen-Z experience either climate anxiety or climate fatigue. As we stare into this vast unknown future, not really knowing what we can do about it, it’s difficult to feel optimistic, or like we are doing something meaningful. Many of us shop consciously, buying products which will leave a little-to-no carbon footprint. Here are my favourite four brands when it comes to starting an eco-conscious buying habit.
Boldly. Lightly. Brightly. Botaniq’s motto really shines through in their products. I hate that I have to wear glasses. I literally resemble Jeanette from Alvin and the Chipmunks. Unfortunate genetics, I guess. As a result, I am so picky when it comes to glasses. I’d still be picky if I looked hot in glasses, as each new pair sets you back well over £100, even for the value column at Boots.
At my last appointment, I picked up a cute pair from Botaniq and, dear reader, I love them. The frames are cute and stylish, and easily the comfiest I’ve ever had. I got a pair of nude pink frames which blend in well with my skin tone, so they didn’t stand out on my face. They have a really wide variety to suit all sorts of faces.
Botaniq aims to supply sustainability from start to finish, by making their frames from recycled plastic or sustainable material such as bamboo, and offering a free recycling service when your frames are ready to be retired. My glasses case was also made of cork, giving it a really aesthetic driftwood feel. Plus, they’re definitely on the lower end of the extortionate price spectrum in the world of eyewear. Botaniq is a modern and unique brand which I’ll definitely be buying from again.
I don’t know about you, but I am awful at meal prep. I think when you work restaurant jobs for years on end (newsflash: writing doesn’t pay many bills!), you get in the habit of eating free work food at unsociable hours. Which generally means lots and lots of chips, at about 11pm.
If you’re a reader who has somehow managed to get your life together (or, shock horror, enjoys cooking), I can’t recommend wax wraps from The Beeswax Wraps Co. enough. These sheets are made of beeswax, and sort of feel like really thick paper. However, they provide a reusable alternative to cling film, tin foil, or whatever you wrap your sarnies in.
They’re versatile too- we use them in our house to wrap the top of bowls, cover plates, or even just wrap bare food. If you’re vegan and can’t use beeswax, they
also offer a vegan wax-based alternative on their website. They come in three sizes and have plenty of colorful patterns and prints to fit whatever vibe you’re going for. These wax wraps are stylish, environmentally friendly, and if you can afford the investment, it will certainly save money in the future. Starting at £12 and going up to £30, they will hardly set you back an eye-watering amount, and are especially helpful for people adapting to a plastic-free lifestyle.
On a mission to ‘get lit- responsibly’, Selfmade is a London-based candle company. As a company, Selfmade ticks a lot of boxes, they’re independent, Black female-owned, eco conscious, vegan friendly and their products smell lush. Get out of here!
Selfmade offers two sizes of candle- a 40-hour burn for £25 and a ‘travel-sized’ 25-hour burn for £18. So, not the cheapest, but definitely a decent possibility if you’re looking to treat yourself (while also supporting an important cause and young indie business).
The scents are gorgeous, ranging from humble Geranium (CONSCIOUS) to Sage & Rosemary (BRAGGA) to Orange, Pine & Sandalwood (LEAFY). Natural scents but strong and lasting, they bring a real sense of peace to the home. As well as this, the environment is at the heart of Selfmade’s ethos. They offer candlemaking kits for people who want to learn new skills and gain a new environmentally friendly hobby. Their wax is soy, which is less harmful and more eco-friendly than paraffin wax.
The candles’ labels are compostable and hold small seeds so that plants can grow from their waste. They are also soon launching candle refill kits, so their jars do not end up at landfill. I could carry on writing about this company for paragraphs. Their lack of animal testing. Their support of Black Mental Health charities. Their UK-based business working to reduce airmiles. But, most importantly, they just make a really banging candle.
Content Warning: all things periods. Anyone who has periods will tell you it is our least favourite time of the month. Shut up, give me some chocolate, and let me lie in bed watching dog videos, God damnit. As a sufferer of Thicc Thigh Syndrome, the discomfort caused by using single-use pads and tampons is next level, particularly in the summer.
And, everyone who has periods will know someone, who knows someone, who got hospitalized with Toxic Shock Syndrome from tampons. Generally, it’s just not a good time; having a vagina is messy, expensive, painful and comes with a lot of taboos. I wouldn’t even be surprised if most people have stopped reading by now. I literally can’t even tell you how much the Mooncup changed my life. It’s a little reusable cup which you insert into your vagina when Aunt Flo visits. This may seem really weird, and I was not keen on the idea at first, but thought I’d give it a try, and I’m so glad I did.
The Mooncup is medical-grade silicone, so drastically reduces the risk of TSS. It’s comfy, and you can’t feel it when it’s in. It holds more fluid than even the highest-absorbency tampons, so you can avoid those awkwardlytimed bathroom trips. It can be a bit tricky to insert at first, but there are several different methods to try.
A reusable product may seem really odd, but if you rinse it before you re-insert and boil it for 5 minutes after the course ends, it’s definitely more hygienic than most other options. Plus, each Mooncup comes with a 25-year ‘guarantee’- that’s about two in an average woman’s lifetime. And to say they’re only £25, with the average box of tampons ringing in at about £4- you get your money back within the year. Also, compare one cup to the tonnes of plastic waste from periods which end up in landfills and oceans every year. It’s clear the Mooncup has ability to make real change.
‘Eco Anxiety’ - The fear of environmental disaster. It weighs extremely heavily on the shoulders of many young people - It sure does for me.
I hate to be all doom and gloom, but the climate crisis is taking a toll on people and their mental health, especially those of the next generation. The effects of our warming planet, mean that a lot of people feel helpless with around 77% of students saying that thinking about climate change makes them anxious - found through research by Global Action Plan in 2020.
I for one constantly feel overwhelmed and helpless in the face of the climate crisis – scared about my future, angry at those who refuse to do their part. I can’t count the times I have spoken with my parents about the state of the world with tears in my eyes – don’t worry my parents feel the same way as I do. Often, it feels as though I am filled with the fear that many adults and people in power, simply do not care. It’s difficult to not feel helpless, it sometimes feels like there is nothing I can do to stop the world from being damaged beyond repair.
Though it may seem like there is no way to ‘cure’ Eco Anxiety, (which fair enough, might be true) feeling this emotion is actually a very mature mindset to have. Bear with me on this one. Feeling this way about the climate crisis shows that you are aware of the situation and not ignorant of the damage we have done to our home. Although it’s no picnic, it’s a sign that you are willing to face the facts and the painful truth. Rather than push these feelings away, try and recognise them as completely reasonable – in fact I’d be quite worried if you weren’t concerned in any way about the future of our planet.
It may be beneficial to take on the mindset of knowing that you are doing the best you can. I know it may seem like silly advice but it sometimes alleviates my worries for a while when I reassure myself of what I am doing for the Earth. Sometimes I get a little bit of scrap paper, maybe the back of the envelope your birthday card from your second cousin, however many times removed came in, and I write a list of the little things I do or have changed in my life that are beneficial to the environment. So just to give you a little help, my list often looks like this:
1. I use refillable, compostable, non-plastic deodorant
2. My dish sponge is washable – I don’t throw out a scraggily looking sponge every few weeks
3. I have a refillable soap dispenser which I refill as and when needed at a zero-waste shop
4. I use reusable cotton pads which my talented auntie made for me
5. I have an array of reusable straws in my kitchen drawer
6. I try my best to keep a selection of bags in the back of my car for my food shops
7. I shop for clothes in charity shops and second-hand shops as much as I can
Now that’s not a lot, however it is so much better than doing nothing. And if it both reassures me that I’m trying and motivates me to do even more, then I say no harm done. The fact that I haven’t bought a plastic or aerosol deodorant in over two years, it does make me feel a bit better.
At the end of the day, you don’t have to listen to me or any of the other amazing people who have helped me create this publication, but if you do take any of this in and make little changes in your everyday life, I can’t thank you enough :)
I'd like to say thank you to those who have helped me create The Weight of The World, Synne Steinsli, Georgie Reid, Maff Punton and the team at Heima. I'd also like to thank all those who have modelled for my photoshoots, Emily Rowlands, Catherine Jacobs and Eloise McQuire.
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