I've had the pleasure of meeting Dhwani a few times at various events in Bangalore and witnessing her inspiring journey from being a content creator to a sustainability advocate. Through her Instagram and her venture, Distil, she emphasizes the importance of making mindful choices and embracing a slow, conscious lifestyle. We're excited to share some snippets from our conversation about living a slower life.
OOP: Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Dhwani: Hi, my name is Dhwani and if I had to identify myself with my work, I run a content and marketing studio for conscious businesses called Distil and I also blog about sustainable fashion and conscious mindful living now and then.
OOP: What inspired you to start focusing on a slow life?
Dhwani: I used to work in fashion and witnessing the sheer excess that exists in the industry was eye-opening. That’s when I started becoming more mindful of what I consume, what I wear, how I shop and slowly these things trickle into your life because as when I became more aware, I realized it also involves the information we consume and how we allocate our time across different aspects of our lives. This awareness motivated me to create a more holistic vision for my life. Although I’m not there yet, it's a work in progress.
Dhwani wearing the Butterfly Ikat shirt from our own pace
OOP: What are some of the key sustainable practices you incorporate into your daily routine, and you suggest people can do it too?
Dhwani: When it comes to fashion, there are two key practices that are part of my approach. First is to shop from more local home-grown brands. These brands often have slow production cycles and ethical practices, making them a great starting point for sustainable shopping. I think we have so much beauty and uniqueness in the local fashion scene, and they are using, more Indian techniques that deserve more attention in our everyday wardrobes. This not only helps us avoid looking like every other Instagram reel or Pinterest outfit but also allows us to express our culture and stories through our clothing.
The second practice is being mindful of how much we consume. Whenever I make a purchase, I consider how often I will use the item and the various ways I can incorporate it into my wardrobe. These questions have become an innate part of my shopping behavior, helping me to value products for their longevity.
You’ll see that a lot of times, with these questions, we end up buying less and really making use of what we already have in more creative ways and I think that’s such a foundational way to start making that change from a broader lifestyle perspective.
I focus on reducing plastic usage, refusing carry bags (even paper ones), and carrying my own straw, cutlery, and water bottle. I also seek sustainable alternatives for everyday products, such as bamboo toothbrushes, steel razors, and balm deodorants. These small switches collectively make a significant impact.
OOP: In what ways do you try to influence and inspire your audience to adopt more sustainable habits?
Dhwani: I believe there's so much we can learn from each other as a community. My page serves as a platform for me to share aspects of my lifestyle, aiming to create a space for learning. I also initiated a project called My Little Community, where we exchange resources, such as where to find the best sustainable white shirts or deodorants. Although I haven't been very consistent with it, I plan to be more active. I don’t know how much of an influence I’m having, but I’m happy to share my story and my journey, hoping that someone else inspires from it and does something better with it. We’re all in this together!
On the other hand, Distil is probably where a lot of my attention has pivoted to. Through the brands we work with, we want to make sure that we are marketing to an audience and persuading them to make better choices. That’s the mission for Distil.
Dhwani wearing Butterfly Ikat shirt from our own pace
OOP: What advice would you give to someone just starting their sustainability journey?
Dhwani: Try a lot of things, understanding that not everything will work out right away. You don’t have to be perfectly sustainable from the start. It’s a journey of learning and making switches and changing a lot of things as you go through the journey. Be kind to yourself along the way and remember that even the smallest changes can make a significant difference.
OOP: Why do you think is it important for people to embrace slow living?
Dhwani: I believe the statistics on physical and mental health, including my own, highlight the impact of our fast-paced, technology-driven lifestyle. It’s important that we channel our focus inward, concentrate on the present, and adopt slow practices in our daily routines, including how we work and what we invest our time in. I don't see any other way for us to lead a happy life.