I consider myself to be a fairly eco-conscious person. I carry reusable cups, eat plant-based, own metal straws, and try to avoid single-use plastic. All of this being said, I am no where near perfect. I use paper towels like they’re going out of style. If I’m being really honest, I forget to bring reusable bags more than I remember to bring them. I firmly believe it is useless to beat ourselves up over being imperfect. The important thing is that we make a conscious effort to try, and keep on becoming better and better. Therefore, I am proud of every step I make towards being a more eco-conscious person. You should be too. A lot of people being imperfect, but making an effort, is far better than a few being perfect. So, here are a few ways I have SLOWLY changed to help our earth.
Cutting out plastic water bottles
I grew up using water bottles for everything. I never drank tap water in my own home as a child. My mom wouldn’t have allowed it. She, still to this day, has a stigma against tap water, claiming it “does not taste the same.” We have made strides. She had a water filtration system installed in our kitchen at home, that she does use. But my parent’s fridge is always stocked with water bottles, for quick runs out the door or when friends come over. My mom is imperfectly moving towards eliminating plastic water bottles. She may never fully stop using them, but her efforts are still amazing. My point is that every piece counts. Imagine she was using 28 water bottles a week getting her 8 cups of water a day. If she cut that in half, only in half, that is saving 728 plastic bottles a year. While it would be beyond great if you did, you don’t have to go cold turkey with anything. Just make a conscious choice to be a little better. For the record, it took me a whole year away from home to entirely stop using plastic water bottles.
Going plant-based
I went vegetarian when I was 12 years old. This I did do cold turkey. Looking back, the only reason I was able to this was because I was so stubborn. Coming from a family of hunters and carnivores, everybody thought it was a quick phase that would pass, and made it known to me that it was a quick phase that would pass. I stuck with it out of spite, apparently I thrive on that. After a few months, it was apparent this was not a phase. I loved being vegetarian. I loved telling people I was vegetarian. I have truly never looked back on this choice. Becoming vegan was a whole other ball game. I was on and off vegan for almost a year before I actually comitted to it. I would try to completely cut off dairy, eggs, and honey, and ultimately fall back to vegetarianism. It was not until I started slow (cheese was the first thing I officially cut out) that I was successful. So start by cutting out one or two things. Maybe eat plant based on weekdays or just Meatless Mondays. Find what works for you, and be loving towards yourself for trying when you slip up.
These are just two examples where I have reached my end goal. I could write ten blog posts on the ways I have imperfectly changed the world a little. Baby steps have seemed to be key for me, and from experience with friends and family I believe it to be the best method for change. So don’t forget to praise yourself for every step you take to be a little better towards mamma earth. A set back is never a defeat, it is an opportunity for another try.
