100 Ways To Thrive Outside Of Capitalism

There is always another way, another choice.

This letter is a continuation from my last publication. It’s a very small scroll that makes me think : what if we all wrote a list like this? It's really necessary, really fun, and it's really all within our reach. We just need to write it and share it and live it together.

1. wake up really slowly

2. dance and stretch every single day (a few times a day)

3. make a list of everything that brings you joy 

4. do everything that brings you joy

5. when you think of someone, send them a loving note, or make them something

6. cook at home 

7. learn something you’re afraid to learn or you’re uncomfortable with 

8. begin doing everything you know in your heart you should be doing 

9. stop doing everything you know in your heart you should be doing

10. be slow, present, and extremely sweet with your children, and all children

11. always say how you’re feeling

12. make no assumptions

13. nurture all your relationships

14. make art, offerings, gifts, food, and potions for people in your life

15. ask for what you need even if it feels really challenging

16. don’t make excuses; go to places you’re invited to! 

17. don’t try to master things you’re not good at

18. drink water and make healthy superfood smoothies every day

19. walk barefoot and scream out loud when in nature. Also, sing, whisper, and giggle

20. remember, right now, you have everything you need

21. hold and hug your loved ones very close, very tight, and give them extra long attention

22. grow a garden and share the harvest with others

23. get your feet and hands earthy, your belly pressed against fertile soil

24. give compliments to plants, hug trees, and bring offerings to the land

25. verbally acknowledge others’ kindness, efforts, generosity, presence

26. visualize your magical future

27. always do what you say you’ll do

28. trust yourself

29. trust others

30. take an extra long chamomile bath when you think you have no time

31. forage for nettles, dry them in the sun and make nettle infusions 

32. forage for dandelions, dry them in the sun and make a body oil

33. say no often

34. say yes often

35. when is the last time you kissed your shoulders? Your hands? Knees?

36. offer a random act of kindness to someone as often as you can

37. donate something really important and special to you

38. go for walks every single day

39. get naked and fill your whole body with light for a few minutes a day

40. practice courage

41. become a better listener, ask questions 

42. practice radical receptivity

43. ask your body questions and listen attentively for answers

44. eat soup 

45. sing in a shower

46. experience the joy of letting people support you

47. talk to everyone about everything you love 

48. tell the people you love exactly what you love about them

49. hold hands with your kids, lovers, friends, family 

50. make choices that feel aligned with your heart

51. show up

52. go to a public library and read a few pages of an empowering book

53. find freedom in uncertainty

54. breathe

55. go for as many days without make-up, perfumes, deodorants, etc.

56. hold yourself and others accountable 

57. reveal yourself

58. admit that you don’t know something

59. learn the difference between your needs and wants

60. make love

61. improvise

62. give yourself permission to make mistakes and be human

63. pee when you need to pee, don’t hold it in

64. bring a small gift to the person in your community you see often ( grocery clerk, delivery person, bus driver..)

65. learn how to build a fire 

66. learn how to mend a hole in socks

67. learn how to bake bread

68. make art for no reason

69. prioritize your health and wellness, and the health and wellness of your family and community ( humans, animals, land, all living communities ) 

70. cultivate inner authority

71. divest your need to prove yourself through hard work

72. create meaning in your life that has nothing to do with consumerism

73. build alliances

74. walk or bike as much as you can instead of driving. 

75. check social media only once a day if you have to

76. seek collaboration over competition

77. be vocal about your anxiety, depression, pain, grief, confusion,…

78. refuse to attribute a financial amount to your worth 

79. consume less of everything

80. spend time not working without guilt 

81. amplify voices that have been silenced 

82. return the crystals you bought back to earth

83. find and build communities

84. set your intention for the day every morning

85. learn the importance of initiations for yourself and your children

86. make art and gift it often

87. lay in the grass and listen to the birds chirping

88. know when to step away

89. define clear boundaries

90. learn something new about yourself 

91. clothe-swap

92. protest the changes you don’t like

93. remember: your kids, your art, your health, and your connections matter more than your work 

94. lock yourself in a room and sleep all day

95. tell yourself you love yourself, that you’re worthy, every single day, a few times a day

96. be mindful of how you spend your time

97. be of service and support to the elders in your life and communities

98. honor your inner voice

99. keep yours and others’ stories alive

100. the most precious gift you can gift yourself and others is time. time is not money; time is love

If you're feeling inspired, I'd love for you to share a few ways you believe we can thrive outside of capitalism in the comments below. Let's explore together and imagine a world beyond the confines of traditional systems that no longer serve us.

Love,

Vanja