Everyday walks with objects
I am so fascinated by our relationships with everyday objects. In this entry, I wanted to write down everything that I use every day when I go for a long walk. It's an interesting space because these are the things I use every single day and what fellow humans see when I'm outside.
When I go for a short walk, I don't bring anything with me apart from my keys. These days, I prefer to leave my phone at home. When I go for a long walk, I bring my organic cotton tote bag so it can hold the items I'm bringing and also serve as a shopping bag if I pick up, for example, fresh bread from a bakery or vegetables from a food market. I use cotton bags without logos and writing. These days, I've been thinking a lot about cotton bags, and how they have become a fashion statement. 15 or so years ago, when I stepped on the journey of relating with the world differently, cotton tote bags were not as popular or common. These days, many fashion companies sell them. I don't feel that it is a good unfolding, as they don't simply replace plastic bags, but oftentimes advertise a fashion brand that encourages consumers to buy more. I'm thinking of a couple of Danish fashion companies that make cotton tote bags that many fellow humans in my area seem to own. Every season there are new colours. I believe it encourages consumerism rather than environmentalism. The bag I use most often is undyed. Over the years, I have accumulated many cotton bags. Some months ago, I gave most of them away via a local byttestation so my fellow humans can use them too.
I also bring an organic cotton pouch with me that I use instead of a wallet. It's undyed and has no text on it. The pouch is home to my bank card (I use a cooperative bank) and a few small things such as plasters and a hair tie.
I usually take my scarf with me too, to protect my hair from the sun and provide a sense of comfort and safety. The scarf is made from organic cotton.
These days, I live with a zero-waste sunscreen that I take with me.
Finally, I usually have a stone in my pocket or in my bag. This stone I found on the beach in Amager. Having a small object like this is calming. I live with high sensory processing sensitivity, and it's helpful to always have an object that I can direct my attention towards in a busy space, for example.
At times, I bring my reusable water bottle with me. At other times, I bring a small glass jar (it originally came with some local honey) with a snack like dried mango or dried blueberries. But most of the time, I don't bring these things with me, unless it's a very long walk.