DIDIHOOD ~ Issue 26

We usually enter each month with a lot of excitement for what's to come, but of course things are very different for all of us right now. We are in the midst of a global pandemic that is affecting countries all over the world, including us right here at home. We want you to know that we are here for you and we are currently reworking our 2020 programming to include things like IG Live discussions and Zoom workshops so we can keep our community engaged while practising social and physical distancing.
If you or anyone you know would like to collaborate with us on one of these virtual initiatives, please let us know! Or if there's a skill or topic you'd like to see covered, please reach out to us. 

Meet the Didi: 

This month we are getting to know Didi Arti Jalan, founder of the online publication Forage & Sustain. She produces content that aims to change the way we live through sustainable practices and slow living. She also gives us some tips on how we can help businesses in this time who have been affected by COVID-19. 


When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in a creative industry? 
In a way, I've always been in industries that exercise my creative side. I've worked for startups, design companies and have had two of my own businesses. Aside from being a writer, I've always had an eye for design, aesthetics and branding, so it wasn't a huge jump for me to get into my current role as founder of Forage and Sustain. 

What inspired you to start Forage and Sustain? 
Travelling and living in countries outside of Canada really opened my eyes towards ethical manufacturing, waste, conscious living and minimalism. Over-consumption has always bothered me, but when I hit a rut in my freelance writing life, I began to connect the dots between the things I was naturally drawn to, the things I wanted to change in the world, and the thing I was good at doing. I realized I could create change myself, instead of hoping it would happen. I could say through that, Forage and Sustain was an idea that just descended upon me. 

Tell us about the mission behind the website: 
In a quietly beautiful way, I aim to educate, inspire and create a space where readers can learn how to effortlessly become conscious consumers, see how their decisions influence the global community, and learn why living sustainably is the only way forward. I believe that in order to create change globally, we first have to create change within ourselves. The relationship that we have with ourselves sets the tone for our relationships with everything else. So, if we believe in treating ourselves well, understanding our bodies, and nourishing our minds, it'll make sense to treat the environment well, understand global impact, and nourish this planet. Empowering people to take responsibility themselves and create change by being advocates for the earth and marginalized folk is important. I also like to stress that this is about "progress over perfection" and realizing that sustainability doesn't have to compromise on style or comfort. 
In addition to the digital world, I really love bringing my message offline and recapturing slow living via hands-on workshops (natural dying for example) that reconnect us to ancestral ways of doing things. 

Are there South Asian makers who products or brands you've featured? 
Yes! I absolutely adore Sahajan Skincare. Lisa is an incredible woman and has created an equally incredible line of Ayurvedic-inspired skincare products. Every product I've tried works so well and her essential oil cleanser is something I can never be without. 
I also love Nita of Dalcini Stainless. Her line of BPA & BPS-free stainless steel storage containers are beautiful, a nod to the cultural kitchen staples in India, and are way better for our health. Nita produces everything ethically in India, utilizing traditional craftsmanship for the highest quality containers. 
Some other notable brands by South Asian makers are Brush with Bamboo toothbrushes and Embiria, a Toronto-based company that offers meaningful workshops and experiences. 

What obstacles did you face on your path to getting where you are today? 
The entrepreneurial journey is never smoothly paved, especially as you're often simultaneously digging the road whilst traversing it. Obstacles include not knowing at all where to begin and spending a lot of time Googling answers — mostly everything I know is self-taught! Also, not having many people do what I do in the sustainability field. When I first started this in 2017, sustainable living was still such a concept, and it's wild to think that in less than three years it's become so accepted. It's also not easy doing everything alone — a solopreneur has many, many hats to wear and it can feel daunting at times. I'm lucky that so many people, especially women, are ditches their 9-to-5s and starting passion projects. It provides a lot of support in what can otherwise be a very lonely industry. 

How important is it to bring diversity to the world of sustainable/ethical products? 
Green living and sustainability are definitely dominated by a certain demographic. It's so great how much attention this area is garnering, especially in a time where it is incredibly important, however talking about consciousness and sustainability means having nuanced discussions around diversity within an already niche market. It's not common that I see other South Asian women in this area, so we definitely need to shed some light on it and allow for more inclusivity in sustainability. 

What advice do you have for younger Didis looking to pursue a similar career? 
Know your "why" — it can be fun to think of all the perks of owning your own business and being a blogger/entrepreneur, however if you're not sold on the idea yourself and it doesn't fill you up with passion and fuel your purpose, the lifestyle will quickly become exhausting. Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart, so really hone in on your intentions and get clear on how you want to show up in the world. 

Many small businesses are suffering due to COVID-19; what advice do you have for consumers on how we can do our part to keep small and sustainability-focused businesses alive during this pandemic?  
Shop small and shop local! Many of these small businesses that have had to close their doors will not recover from this. If you can, buy their products online, buy gift cards from them to use in the future, and share, like, repost and comment on their social platforms. If they're hosting webinars or online workshops, tune in, buy a ticket, and do what you can to help them out. This is your community and your local economy — it affects all of us! 

What we're reading: 
Refinery29's piece on How South Asian Muslim Women Are Reclaiming Their Stories 

Arundhati Roy's personal essay in the Financial Times: 'The pandemic is a portal' 

What we're watching: 
It's almost here! Mindy Kaling's new Netflix series Never Have I Ever starring local Didi Maitreyi Ramakrishnan will be available to watch on April 27.  

Resources for this difficult time: 
This is a stressful time for all of us on all fronts. Our daily lives and routines are completely different, and we are all dealing with stress regarding our own health and safety and the health and safety of our loved ones, as well as financial stress from the economic end of things and of course the effect this is having on all of us mentally. 
Remember to check in on your friends and family, and if you are able to, please reach out to those who are more vulnerable at this time. Reach out to your local food bank and find out what items they need the most and add those to your next grocery list. 
And as our Didis are in creative industries, we know that many of you have been greatly affected by this pandemic. If you are offering online workshops or e-commerce or any other initiative to help keep your business alive in this time, please let us know and we would love to promote it. With that in mind, if you are able to, you can donate to the artist relief fund to help artists whose events have been cancelled. 

Click here for the federal government's mental health resources. 

For an information sheet about the virus in multiple languages (including Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil and Urdu) click here and refer to number 17. This is a great resource for older family members who are particularly at risk for this virus. 

Stay home, stay safe, stay healthy. It's tough right now, but encourage everyone around you to comply with the rules and recommendations so we can all return to our regular routines sooner than later! 

— Nikkjit Gill 

Issue 26 
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