“Two years ago, I first started reading about minimalism and veganism. It was for an assignment in college when I also came across trash management. A lot of research and reading later, I saw the kind of damage we’re doing to the environment. It was almost like an overnight decision that I took – to adopt zero waste habits. Since childhood, I have always loved makeup, clothes and accessories. But ever since I opted zero waste policy, I’ve stopped buying things. The idea is not to throw what we have but to make maximum use of it and then not buy that again.

The next day, when I woke up, I saw that I have three toothpastes. So I didn’t throw all of them but used it fully and never bought it again. I watched YouTube videos and learnt to make my own toothpaste. I also ordered a bamboo toothbrush. On the first day I realised how my whole lifestyle needs to change. I started to plan my day differently in the morning. It seemed quite a challenge. A few months later, I came across a friend who practised zero waste too. He got in touch and we did a photoshoot promoting minimalism together as well. He made electric scooter also and he was trying to get in touch with the right authorities. Five days after the shoot, he called me and said nothing’s working out. He seemed pretty upset with the way people responded to him. Later I found out that he committed suicide. It was quite shocking.

Most of the times, we don’t realise the kind of affect our pointless trolls and comments have on other people’s lives. People tell me how I’m right wing or I’m rich and that is why I have enough time and money to adopt veganism. Sometimes the messages and comments in my profile make me want to run away. Maybe it doesn’t matter to those saying it but it does affect me. I think we need to be a lot more sensitive to people who are trying to work hard on all our behalves. My friend could’ve lived his life and not cared about doing something for the world. But he did and all he got was mental pressure and negativity. It’s tough out there and the world is only getting worse. The least we can do is support social causes and not divide ourselves on the basis of gender, religion, caste or race. We’re all in this together!”

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