Why sustainable wealth matters

Has anyone else been struggling to reconcile financial abundance and the pursuit of material wealth with spiritual and hippie values? I've spent the past few years grappling with the challenge of aligning my hippie values of planet care, anti-consumerism, and non-materialism with the pursuit of financial abundance, and let me tell you, it has been a journey of inner conflict after inner conflict. How do I reconcile my appreciation for quality luxury items with these anti-consumerist values? Surely, I'm not alone in coveting a beautiful vintage Diana bag while feeling conflicted about the materialistic aspect of this.

After years of soul searching, I think I've finally found peace and acceptance of these seemingly conflicting ideals. And now, I'm eager to help others who feel the same way start aligning their values and leveraging their wealth for good.

Wealth holds immense power—not just in the traditional sense, but in the ability to make ethical, sustainable, and conscious choices. And given the freedom that wealth affords, it's almost a responsibility to do so. Making these ethical and sustainable choices comes at a cost. Buying organic, shopping ethically, traveling sustainably, and reducing carbon footprints all require substantial disposable income. While I may not be in the top 2% wealthy, I understand the privilege of not having to count pennies and having the ability to live consciously and ethically. In fact, this privilege also makes me feel like I want to and ought to live as consciously, ethically, and sustainably as I can, for two reasons: because I CAN, and because it's the LEAST GOOD I can do with the fortunate position I find myself in, especially when so many others can't, and even more so because many want to but can't.

To do this, however, I have had to figure out how to justify certain things, like buying good quality clothing or luxury items. It's not about giving up luxuries; it's about making better choices and having the self-awareness to prioritise what truly brings happiness. Yes, I love the feeling of a quality wool Burberry duffle coat in the depths of winter, but I love the feeling of having acquired a beautiful item of clothing in a completely sustainable way (vintage, second-hand or op-shop) even more. In addition, I started questioning the narrative that most people who don't have money have been taught, that money is evil and that those that have it are bad or have come about it by dishonest or unsavoury means (thanks Dad). I've learnt three important factors about money: that money is just another form of energy; it's a construct, ie, not actually real, unlike commodities like gold or silver; and there is an abundance of it, it's just being controlled by those who know how to control it, or "play the game". Money itself isn't evil, it's what people choose to do with it, and how those actions impact other people and the planet that is the problem. It's also the fact that we place value on money and materialism above immaterial concepts such as compassion, generosity, love, forgiveness, altruism. In learning to play the game, I'm discovering that it's not only possible to make money work for me, it's also possible to do so with the intention of making the world a better place. For example, in placing a high value on the lifestyle consulting and life coaching services I offer to those who want to align their wealth with conscious living and sustainable values, that will allow me to perhaps offer my legal services (when I finish my law degree) either freely or at very reduced rates for NFP/NGOs who work with protecting the environment, or human rights NFPs/NGOs. Or, allocating a percentage of money made from my services to going towards different charities that align with my altruistic values.

And if I want to take a spiritual perspective on it all (because that is a key aspect of who I am), I, as a spiritual being, have chosen to manifest on this plane (and maybe infinite others!) to experience this physical life, to play the game, to be part of it, yet apart from it. So instead of shying away from wealth, or abandoning my spiritual/hippie values, I'm going to embrace both and use them to my advantage and for the benefit of others. Yes, we live in a world where money rules, but it's how we use our wealth that matters. It's about contributing to a better world rather than adding to its demise.

If you want to begin working with someone who can guide you on the journey to align every aspect of your life with sustainable, conscious living and hippie values, while still maintaining a level of quality and luxury, I would love to work with you to make sustainable, real lifestyle shifts.