We’ve all said it (or at least practiced it in the mirror): "It’s not you, it’s me." But when it comes to the things we bring into our homes, sometimes we need to be brutally honest. It is you. Specifically, it’s that $2 tea towel that’s never actually dried a dish in its life, smears water around like a bored toddler, and was made under ethical circumstances we’d rather not think about.
Welcome to February. While the rest of the world is busy with roses and overpriced set menus, we’re over here Defining the Relationship (DTR) with our homewares. Because let’s be real: are you in a committed relationship with your coffee table, or is it just a messy situationship? 🚩
Entering Your Healing Era
If you’re currently in your Healing Era, it’s time to look at your linen cupboard. Leaving your Big Box era doesn't mean you have to be perfect overnight. It’s not about suddenly living in a zero-waste yurt. It just means you're ready to stop settling for disposable and start looking for dependable.
It’s about moving from a cheap n’ cheerful fling to a partner that actually shows up for you.
Identifying the Marriage Material
As an environmental scientist, I like to look at the dating profile of a product. Does it have a history? Is it honest? Here is how two of the Strangers Collective lineup looks when we’re looking for "The One":
Trade Aid: These are the Marriage Material items. They’ve been ethical since before it was cool. Our Trade Aid soaps are the ultimate stable partners. They smell incredible, they’re fair trade, and they don't have a toxic bone in their bodies.
Hand-woven Throws & Organic Cottons: The Sensitive Souls. They care about the planet, they’re soft to the touch, and they’re the kind of pieces you want to wake up next to for the next decade.
Dealing with Our Own Baggage
As usual, I’ll be transparent with you, even here at Strangers, we’re dealing with some awkward exes. We’ve got stock from the old days that we’re still clearing out.
Think of them as the mysterious strangers or the hangovers from a previous life. We aren't ghosting them, that would just lead to more landfill, but we’re finding them a forever home so we can clear the way for a for a more committed relationship with our new ethical suppliers. We’re working through our baggage so we can be the partner your home deserves.
Stop Settling
A home filled with situationships feels cluttered and temporary. A home filled with boyfriend material feels like a sanctuary. Every time a handle snaps or a low-quality throw pills after two washes, it’s a reminder of a commitment that wasn't made.
Not settling is about realising that the objects you interact with every day, the soap you wash your hands with, the planter that holds your favourite Monstera, should bring you peace, not a mental to-do list of when they’ll need replacing.
At Strangers, we’re not asking you to commit to a perfect, Pinterest-ready life overnight. We’re just inviting you to stop settling for homewares that don't text you back (or just fall apart when things get serious).
It’s time to stop the cycle of casual consumption and start building a home that actually supports you. You could be getting into a long-term commitment with a Trade Aid staple or helping us find a home for our Heritage baggage. Every choice you make is a step toward a more stable, dependable future.
So, this Valentine’s, take a look at that tea towel. If it’s not serving you, it’s okay to say goodbye (responsibly!). After all, your kitchen deserves a commitment, not just a casual fling.
AI Assisted
