AuthorJuliana Essen

Of all the lessons I learned at Srisa Asoke, I’m most enthusiastic about reducing consumption and waste through the 3Rs. Who doesn’t like to save money and, at the same time, save the planet by keeping stuff out of landfills? That’s a win-win. Still, try as we might, millions of tons of trash end up

There’s a direct connection between consumption and waste: the more we consume, the more waste we create—and vice versa. At Srisa Asoke, the ethic of “consuming little” also means actively reducing waste, specifically through the “3 Rs”: reuse, repair, and recycle. This installment of the Intentional Living Project’s exploration of material wellbeing (a.k.a., “being thrifty”)

Good news: you don’t have to be a minimalist (as described in last week’s post) to achieve material wellbeing. But for those of us who may be consuming more than we need, cutting back is the simplest, most empowering way I know to reduce financial stress and have more resources for what matters most. Simple

Now in our third month of the Intentional Living Project, we come to the third letter: T for “Thrifty.” Being thrifty, or not wasting money and resources, is a long-held American virtue that fosters material wellbeing. By minding our consumption and managing our waste (with the 3Rs: reuse, repair, and recycle or upcycle), we can

I have long romanticized living in a commune where people help each other freely, all for the good of the group. After living in an intentional community in Thailand for a year, I now know it’s not all sunshine and daisies. Nevertheless, I’m still drawn to the ideal of effortless, ongoing mutual support. My experiments

The intentional community of Srisa Asoke thrives because everyone shares work and resources—the residents support the community, and the community supports them. It’s a great example of practical support that’s so vital to an individual’s social wellbeing. II. Practical Support A walk through Srisa Asoke shows how well this system works: At the center is

Social interaction is good for us—that much is clear from last week’s installment. Now I wonder, as an introvert married to an extrovert (two people who seem to have different social needs and responses to social interactions) how much interaction is necessary to get those benefits, and is it the same for everyone? Ultimately it’s quality,

The second letter in INTENTIONAL stands for Networked, which is a key to social wellbeing. Being networked isn’t just about career advancement. Broadly speaking, our social networks are valuable in their own right for how they make us feel. Beyond that, they can influence us positively, deepen our sense of belonging, decrease our burdens, and

Here’s a troubling statistic: According to the CDC, a whopping 80% of Americans don’t get the recommended amount of physical exercise. All we need is 150 to 300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity, which amounts to a brisk 30-minute walk 5 days a week. The big question is: why not? Sure, exercise is one

Physical exercise is not a national craze in Thailand as it is in the US. For one thing, it’s just too darn hot. To beat the heat, Thais like to stretch out on bamboo platforms under their houses or trees during the hottest part of the day. Actually, Thais excel at napping. You can find