Decolonizing Your Daily Habits: Small Shifts That Chip Away at the Colonial Mindset From

“My whole life is colonized, right? I own property… Am I going to give that property up? I don’t want to.”

— Karen,

When Karen blurted that line on the mic, I felt every listener raise an eyebrow. We were deep into Episode 32—Decolonizing Daily Habits—sorting through zero-sum fears, land grabs, and why “Mine” feels so natural to white-identified folks like us. The question that kept bouncing between us: How do we trade a colonial mindset for one that shares power, stories, and stuff—without leaping straight to “give away your house”?

Spoiler: we start small. The colonial mindset didn’t sprout overnight; it was watered for centuries by scarcity scripts (“If they gain, I lose”) and winner-take-all rules. So today, let’s map five doable shifts that loosen colonial roots and invite new growth—no shame, no overwhelm, just steady unlearning.

Name the Colonial Mindset—Then Spot It in Real Time

Colonial logic says resources exist for our claiming, Western norms are the default, and hierarchies keep everyone in their "place." That logic justified centuries of displacement and persists today in systems we often mistake as neutral. Take real estate redlining: through the 20th century, banks and federal agencies systematically denied loans to Black families and communities of color, labeling them as risky investments purely based on race. These policies cemented generational wealth gaps and segregated neighborhoods—patterns that still shape access to good schools, clean air, and transportation.

The same logic shows up in venture capital, where just 2% of all funding goes to Black and Latinx founders, and less than 1% to Indigenous entrepreneurs. It's not that BIPOC innovators are less capable—it's that colonial hierarchies still influence who gets resourced, spotlighted, and supported[1].

The point isn’t to drown in guilt; it’s to notice power before it speaks.

Next time you're scrolling, try this: Pause and ask, Who’s being centered? Who’s erased? Who holds the mic? That gut-check builds pattern recognition. Over time, it becomes second nature—a filter for whether the content, narrative, or story you're absorbing reinforces or resists colonial logic.

Break the Zero-Sum Spell

Zero-sum thinking—the belief that one group’s gain must come at another’s loss—is the heartbeat of colonial logic. It undergirds opposition to reparations, affirmative action, and even gender equity in the workplace[2]. Psychological studies show that people primed with zero-sum beliefs are more likely to react defensively in multicultural settings, cling tightly to their resources, and avoid policies perceived to benefit others[3].

In contrast, research on growth mindsets and abundance frameworks demonstrates that communities and individuals thrive when power and opportunity are shared. Studies have found that teams with inclusive, collaborative dynamics tend to be more innovative and resilient. Organizations that prioritize equity not only see boosts in employee satisfaction and retention, but also outperform those with more hierarchical, competitive structures. At the individual level, people who adopt a non-zero-sum perspective are more likely to engage in prosocial behavior, report higher well-being, and build stronger cross-cultural relationships.

During the episode, Karen and I noticed ourselves slipping into a defensive posture about what might be lost when systems shift—a classic zero-sum fear. The simple act of naming it allowed us to reframe the moment: What if shared power benefits us all? That question might feel awkward at first, but it’s a gateway to collaborative mindsets and long-term thinking that lifts everyone.

Wear Your Values (Literally)

Colonial logic tells us that people and resources are disposable—that more is better, newer is worthier. Nowhere is this more evident than in fast fashion: an industry that relies on rapid consumption, low-paid labor, and massive resource extraction. Fast fashion is an environmental disaster, accounting for up to 10% of global carbon emissions—more than all international flights and shipping combined[4]. And the labor exploitation behind it disproportionately impacts Black, brown, and Indigenous communities across the Global South.

Unlearning this mindset means disrupting the cycle. Start by swapping one impulse buy this week for something thrifted, repaired, or made by a BIPOC designer. You’ll not only reduce your environmental footprint but also shift economic power toward more equitable systems.

And don’t underestimate your scroll. Following Indigenous creators, slow fashion advocates, and sustainability educators reshapes the feed that shapes you.

Rethink Food as Community, Not Commodity

In 2019, the U.S. threw away over 66 million tons of food—nearly 40% of its entire food supply[5]. And it’s not just wasteful; it’s rooted in colonial ideas of excess, separation from the land, and the invisibility of labor.

You can resist that mindset with a weekly fridge clean-out meal. Get creative: think stir-fries, soups, or grain bowls that use what you already have. Whatever can’t be eaten should be composted—even a small countertop bin makes a dent in methane emissions.

When possible, buy from local growers who practice regenerative methods. Food grown close to home strengthens ecosystems, reduces waste, and invests in people who see land as relationship, not resource.

Defend (and Return) Land

Decolonization isn’t just personal—it’s political, systemic, and ongoing. While Congress debates the Public Lands in Public Hands Act, tribes like the Yakama Nation are actively reclaiming ancestral land, including recent efforts along Washington’s White Salmon River[6].

To support land return and defense in your own backyard, start with research: Whose land do you live on? What treaties shaped your city’s history? Which land-back campaigns or community land trusts are active nearby?

Then act. Sign petitions, show up to city hearings, donate to Indigenous-led initiatives, and tell your friends. Land justice starts with understanding—and grows through relationship.

Your 7-Day Decolonizing Challenge

Day 1 – One Thrift Swap. Choose something second-hand or mended instead of buying new, and notice how it changes both your carbon footprint and your closet story.

Day 2 – Feed Audit. Add three Indigenous creators to your social feeds and mute or unfollow one account that reinforces "business as usual." Compare how your scroll feels after the shake-up.

Day 3 – Zero-Waste Lunch. Pack a meal that leaves no trash—think reusable containers, cloth napkin, real silverware—and photograph your success for accountability.

Day 4 – Story Time. Read an article on local land-back efforts. Summarize one key takeaway to a friend, partner, or journal entry; teaching solidifies learning.

Day 5 – Language Check. Swap one everyday phrase rooted in colonial harm—like “Indian giver”—for an inclusive alternative, and explain the change to someone who asks.

Day 6 – Power Pause. When a zero-sum thought pops up (e.g., “If they get a grant, I lose my chance”), jot it down. Rewrite it as a shared-benefit statement and sit with how that feels.

Day 7 – Tune In. Listen to White Women Wake Up, Episode 32 on your commute or walk. DM us the habit you’re testing first so we can celebrate—and troubleshoot—together.

Why Small Shifts Matter

Karen once worried that anything less than handing over the deed felt like “not enough.” I countered: Little habits scale into culture. When thousands of us thrift, compost, and speak up for public lands, we erode colonial logic and plant equity instead. So start where you stand—boots on pavement, coffee in hand—and let curiosity lead.

Our reminder: “We don’t want this journey to be zero to sixty… Not everyone is in the same place, and that’s okay.”

Stay with the discomfort, laugh when you trip, course-correct often. That’s waking up.

Ready for the full conversation?

Hear the laughter, the pauses, and the aha-moments in Episode 32: Decolonizing Daily Habits wherever you get your podcasts. Share it with a friend who keeps using “homeowner’s association” memes—lovingly, of course.

Stay curious, be open, and keep waking up!

-Jonelle

References

1. Rothstein, R. (2017). The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America.

2. Norton, M. I., & Sommers, S. R. (2011). Whites See Racism as a Zero-Sum Game. Perspectives on Psychological Science.

3. Wilkins, C. L., Wellman, J. D., et al. (2015). Zero-sum construal of intergroup relations moderates White Americans' responses to racial progress. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.

4. United Nations Environment Programme (2019). Sustainability and Circularity in the Textile Value Chain.

5. ReFED (2021). U.S. Food Waste Statistics.

6. Indian Country Today (2022). Yakama Nation Reclaims White Salmon River Land.