My Plastic Free July 2021 Summary.
This year was a painful and difficult Plastic Free July, my shoulders caused me severe pain and typing and posting was very difficult.
I've tried my very best to continue to live a plastic free lifestyle and am making gradual changes.
As a fairtrade campaigner I believe it is my duty to support fairtrade organisations using fairtrade ingredients in their products and for this reason I have searched long and hard for products that suit my acne reactive skin.
I am relieved to have found a mask that works for my skin.
I apply the Odylique 3 in 1 Maca Mask to my skin every 4-5 days which is particularly helpful before you feel a cystic bump appear before your menstrual cycle.
This month I continued to heal from surgery and ordered acne products from a vegan, paraben and cruelty free company called Face Theory based in Sheffield UK.
Hello, I'm Sabeena, a fairtrade campaigner, educator and social entrepreneur.
I've also had cystic and hormonal acne, reactive and sensitive for over 30 years.
For all those who suffer with or have cystic and hormonal acne, I empathise and understand the physical, mental and emotional stress and pain you experience on a daily basis.
Its affected my confidence and how I felt for most of my life.
In this blog I write about my acne journey and hope it will help those struggling with cystic and hormonal acne.
This is my second year participating in Plastic Free July and due to my three surgeries and Covid-19 I have found the challenge difficult.
The UAE ethical movement is still in its infancy and substitutes for products like reusable/circular feminine hygiene and natural beauty products for acne/sensitive skin are limited.
I hope to continue my plastic/zero waste journey and hope to gradually reduce my consumption of menstrual hygiene and cleaning products and learn how to make my own soap, body wash, bread, conditioner and compost my waste..
It will be a long work in progress, but I'm optimistic.
For the past 30 years I have lived with Endometriosis and PCOS.
This is my personal insight of living with Endometriosis and PCOS.
Most female social entrepreneurs I know are multi talented, ambitious and innovative.
I feel blessed to be a member of an exclusive club of makers and doers. All action, brain storming, endless ethical learning, strategy and conversations.
I love that part of my life!
However, there is a part of my life that most people don't know about.
The days where I can't get out of bed, struggle to get household chores done and don't have the energy to answer emails, WhatsApp messages or call family.
This is my reality most days of the week but you would never know looking at me.
This October I continued with Plastic Free July.
This July I edited my interview with Alex Schmidt and Marie Louise of Valy Export, Madagascar.
Participated in Plastic Free July 2019 and completed a MOOC with Future Learn titled Fashion's Future: Sustainable Development Goals Fashion Revolution
This month I completed the WFTO Asia - Introduction to Gender course and my Six Items Challenge 2017.
Attended The Muslim Lifestyle Show said hello to the Macmillan Cancer Support volunteers and purchased fairtrade dates from the Zaytoun stand.
Travelled to Manchester, UK to pay respects to my parents. A year has passed since my beautiful mother passed away from metastatic breast cancer.
Enjoyed a vegetarian lunch and interviewed Dr Sara Parker who has designed two fairtrade puppet sets with fairtrade producers in Nepal.
Celebrated Fashion Revolution Week.
Continued to mentor and support my World Pulse Change Maker Joanna in Poland.
Last year I had a couple of lovely online conversations with Abi Weeds Managing Director and Emma Hopewell of Odylique - Essential (Organics) Ltd.
I was particularly interested to support Odylique as it is a leading brand of cosmetics based in the United Kingdom that pride them selves on promoting their organic, vegan, fairtrade, cruelty free ethos and specialise in treating problematic sensitive, reactive and allergy prone skin.
Sign up to get the latest on fair trade fashion.
I'm Sabeena Ahmed owner and creator of The Little Fair Trade Shop. I've been an individual associate member of the World Fair Trade Organization since 2011 and together with my artisans I bring you a bespoke collection of ethically sourced fashion & gifts.
© 2024 The Little Fair Trade Shop. “We love to listen to our customers and for this reason we would be delighted to hear from you if you would like a bespoke fair trade product made especially for you.”
The Little Fair Trade Shop Ltd
Registered in England & Wales
Company Number 08189489
