When starting out on your eco journey it can be easy to get caught up in it all. You want to dive right in and try everything, but this beginning stage is most crucial of all as it sets the course for the following stages of your journey. With your new-found enthusiasm for all things eco, you need to remember to stay mindful.
Start small and make a plan
Identify the problem areas within your own life and home and brainstorm ways to make changes. Start with the most simple ways to alter your daily life, whether it be taking public transport a few times a week as opposed to driving the car everyday, buying some reusable bags, or even buying less in general. Changing your way of life should not feel like a task, you should be excited to try new things, feel inspired by the overall goal, and be empowered by the changes you are making to better your life.
The best thing you can do is identify the problem areas within your home, everyone is different. For example I invested in some reusable produce bags, however I refrained from buying reusable bulk bin bags. I chose this path because I realised, at that stage of my journey I wouldn’t have gotten as much use out of them as I would’ve the produce bags. This choice not only saved me money at the time, but I have also since found that I have needed them after discovering alternatives such as taking repurposed jars to stores like Bin Inn.
The worst things you can do:
- Throw everything away
- Buy anything labelled ‘Organic’ or ‘Eco’
Instead, use up products that you currently already have before investing in any new alternatives. Many people who are new to this lifestyle tend to get carried away and begin to throw away anything from their old life that no longer aligns with their new-found values and beliefs. This process can lead to the purchase of many eco products, even when you may find no use for them specifically in your life.
Makeup, skincare and perfumes are something that I have had to recently assess on my personal journey. I have been slowly making my way through my existing products before exploring any eco friendly and cruelty free options. Not only has this been better for the environment by not throwing out half used products; but it has also given me time to decide what items I want/need, items that I can do without, and also time to discover what alternatives I can use instead. Personally I hardly ever wear makeup, so part of my solution was giving away majority of my existing products to friends who would get more use out of it than I would.
I cannot stress enough not to get caught up, think really hard about what you NEED. Question everything you know to be true, ask yourself: do you really need 10 mugs when you only ever have 2 people around for coffee? Are you really making use of all those appliances? Are you really wearing every item of clothing that you own on a regular basis?
There is every ‘eco’ product under the sun, but overtime you will find that there are items you don’t need, don’t use, or can make do with what you already have at home. Stay mindful.
Yes, I have decided this week not buy any more cat food pouches. They are not recyclable and are so annoying to use. I always try and buy a tin instead where possible. Product packaging annoys me the most. I try and be mindful of that when I am buying things. I think manufacturers really need to take more of a lead with this.
Awesome. Thanks Ayla. It does get kind of confusing and you think you need to do it all at once because you have this sudden onset of guilt!
Exactly, but just remember to take one step at a time!