By Carl Munson
Although you can ask for organic wholefoods by name in most supermarkets today, five years ago you’d have been met by a quizzical or slightly defensive look, and more than likely that great classic fob-off: “If it’s not out, we haven’t got it.”
Things thankfully have changed and are continuing to change. Therapies, foods and positive lifestyle ideas of all kinds seem to be enjoying exponential growth as people take their health, relationships and the environment more seriously.
It’s not all plain sailing however as the aforementioned supermarkets can tend to overshadow smaller specialist retailers who – it must be said – often help create the trends which eventually show up on the high street.
On a personal level, if you have minority interests like iridology, ayurvedic herbs or fermented papaya, you may still encounter a few raised eyebrows as you endeavour to get your needs met.
Thank heavens therefore for specialist websites and a recent development at one of my favourite Internet resources – Holistic Local.
It looks like people who consider themselves alternative, holistic or green may have found a new spiritual home with these guys who have added something called 'social networking' to their directory of over 4,000 alternative businesses.
Apparently, social networking, like interest in alternative and natural living, is a huge social phenomenon. Millions of people worldwide use sites like MySpace and Friendster, where they can make friends and contacts according to preferences declared via an online profiling system.
“So many people want to live more naturally, positively, sustainably and peacefully,” says Andy Metcalfe, Internet visionary and Holistic Local co-founder, “but until now it’s been hard to find friends and acquaintances with similar interests.”
“The advent of social networking sites has connected people beyond physical location, so now a community can be defined by its values and interests before its geographical location,” he adds.
I’m told that within hours of its launch, people with an alternative outlook were posting their details on the new site hoping to make contact with like-minded souls and contact is being made. The UK and US sites have been quickest off the mark, uniting searchers with unifying interests such as healthy diets, complementary therapies and organic gardening, but also TV shows like Friends, Lost and even Desperate Housewives.
Whilst critics may say interest in natural living is the indulgence of a few self-centred navel-gazers, a looming energy crisis, chronic disease rising at epidemic rates and increasing numbers of wealthy, yet depressed people asking what life is all about, suggest that the trend is unstoppable.
"I am so excited about being a member of the Holistic Local community,” says Gilly Evans a South Brent-based natural living devotee and typical Holistic Local member.
“It’s hard enough having ideas and habits that seem weird to most of my friends and the isolation sometimes makes me feel like giving up,” says Gilly. “This wonderfully easy way of connecting with people with similar interests – wherever they are based – is a real help and can keep me positive about living in a more spiritual and environmentally-friendly way.”
Come out of the closet and try social networking for yourself at: www.holisticlocal.co.uk