Why it’s ok to confess to all our unsustainable imperfections. Get them off our chests and move along in a more conscious way. Disclaimer: Sustainability is a big topic and one I’m still just learning about as a human. I feel I still have a long, long way to go in terms of a better understanding. I would love to hear your thoughts, ideas and personal confessions in the comments. Also I left my beard trimmer outside of lockdown in another "social isolation bubble" and haven't bought another one since as I look to reduce my consumption habits if you're offended by the ginger fuzz it's for the good of the planet. To get started here’s my own personal laundry list of the ways I’ve been having a non-sustainable impact on the environment over the past few years. This is probably just the tip of the (rapidly melting) iceberg of my unsustainable behaviours. Friends and family feel free to call me up on ones I’ve forgotten:
Ok Jesus... that was pretty hard to write and for sure it’s non exhaustive and doesn’t include the plethora of stupid stuff I’ve done throughout my life. I have stopped or reduced a lot of the above behaviours now but not all of them and not completely. So why is it ok to confess to all this stuff if I'm advocating for change? Step one: Be kind. If I’ve learned anything from self development is for us to be kind to ourselves first. There’s no point carrying or attaching stress or guilt to something we have done, but we can gradually address and improve our own behaviours. Step two: Awareness. The more we talk about the stuff we’re not doing in a collective shared way the more aware we become of it. Step three: Learn, adapt and change: Here’s an incredible in-depth discussion on the circular economy a nice bit of learning for anyone who might be interested in making systemic changes. Oh... and that next toothbrush will be bamboo!
Let me know your unsustainable confessions and plans for change in the comments. I promise this is a safe space. |