My Eco-conscious Goals for 2022

Stepping into a new year and setting goals is pretty much inevitable, at least for me. I’ve been setting up eco-conscious goals. Find out what I’ll be up to (sustainably speaking) in 2022.

Ever since the pandemic hit, I’ve been struggling to reduce my environmental impact in several areas of my life: the need to use disposable face masks or gloves in specific spaces, purchasing online more than ever because there’s no other option available, filling out extra forms, disposable COVID tests, and so on.

While at the beginning of the pandemic, these things would leave me incredibly frustrated, nowadays, I decided to accept the reality and deal with it. Hoping that, sometime soon, things will go back to our old normal - if that’s even possible.

Besides all these changes and restrictions, I was able to accomplish most of the eco-conscious goals that I set for myself in 2021:

• Use less paper: Yes, I drastically reduced my paper usage (and waste), thanks to my iPad mini and iPhone.

• Buy only what I (really) need: I became an even more conscious shopper. Sticking to what I needed and did a lot of research and pondering before spending money. The only area where I ended up buying stuff I wanted (rather than genuinely needed) was the beauty segment, mainly because I wanted to try and review new products. Even in that case, I was a bit frugal and did a lot of thinking (and even more research) before purchasing anything.

• Stick to a beauty routine: Unfortunately, I couldn’t stick to a beauty routine mainly because my skincare needs changed throughout the year. So, I’ve tried a sample and travel-sized products until I found something that would suit me. And only then would I purchase its regular format. However, I was also able to downsize my previous routine, which is positive.

• Be more minimalist: Even though I was pretty frugal in my purchases, choosing quality over quantity, giving away things I no longer used, I still think I could be more minimalist.

• Be realistic: I think that 2021 was the very first year of my life that I was realistic (and accepted) what I could and could not do, both in terms of work and my personal life. This blog was the perfect example of it. There have been a few periods (more than I would like to) where I couldn’t write a single word. Instead of feeling frustrated and beating myself down, I’ve acknowledged that I already had a lot on my plate and that I couldn’t do everything on my to-do list. I was feeling myself at peace with it. Besides all of these mishaps, 2021 was The Sustainablist’s best year in terms of stats. Awesome, right?!

Now, without further ado, these are my eco-conscious goals for 2022:

Spend less time on social media

I’ve been feeling so overwhelmed by social media lately that I’ve started reducing my social media usage in December 2021. I’ve begun hiding apps like Instagram and Facebook on the back of a folder on my iPhone (these were previously on my main screen). Then, I’ve set a usage time limit on Instagram - only 30 per day. 

Influencer posts and targeted advertising made me wish for things I didn’t need. They were creating unnecessary cravings and making me spend a hefty amount of time visiting the referred websites.

How do I feel? Much better. While I still use Instagram and Facebook daily, I am spending much less time on these. Instead of taking a mental break on Instagram and ending up feeling more overwhelmed (or down), I am now taking those breaks on Duolingo.

Yes, I am using all those minutes to learn French instead. Much more productive and rewarding, I dare say.

I’ve also replaced Instagram’s previous spot on my phone’s main screen with LinkedIn. Even though it’s still a social network app, it’s way more inspiring and valuable than checking someone’s outfit of the day.

Ideally, I would like to finish this year without having apps like Instagram and Facebook installed on my phone (I don’t have these on my iPad). But, let’s be realistic, so one step at a time.

Keep reducing my transportation footprint

Even though I’ve been particularly conscious about my transportation footprint since I was 18, I’ve been doubling my efforts since moving to my current neighborhood.

I live in the city outskirts, which means: fewer transportation options and fewer things available just around the corner. Given the circumstances, it would be pretty tempting to drive everywhere.

Well, at the age of 35, I still don’t have a driver’s license. Besides my current scenario, I am still not tempted to embark on that journey. For me, it’s more important to live more sustainably than spending less time arriving anywhere.

Instead, I run most errands in my neighborhood or around town. I walk everywhere I can and take the bus when my time is short (or my destination is far away). Recently, I’ve brought home an old bike that my dad refurbished. So I can spend less time getting stuff done. 

Eat less meat

While I’ve been reducing meat consumption for a few years now, I still feel that I can do more in this department. Not only because of health reasons but for environmental and moral reasons. 

I’ve started by noticing that I had a smoother digestion process if I hadn’t had meat (especially red meat). I felt so much better when I had a lighter meal, either vegan or vegetarian. I’ve also noticed the impact that purchasing meat had on my finances. 

Nowadays, besides the reasons I’ve mentioned, I want to reduce my meat intake even more for environmental and moral purposes. It breaks my heart to watch footage of how many animals are being treated at farms and other facilities. So, I don’t want to keep supporting that industry.

Order fewer take-out meals

I love to cook, shop for groceries, and come up with a yummy meal on a budget. However, sometimes life gets in the way, and I order a take-out on Glovo or Uber Eats.

It’s just too easy to fall into that when I am swamped with work, or my fridge is nearly empty, and I haven’t gone grocery shopping yet.

My plan? Go back to meal prep and batch cooking. It used to be my standard years ago when I still lived in Portugal. I would usually do my grocery shopping on Sunday after lunch, and then I would cook the afternoon.

Allowing me to eat healthier (I was a clean eater back then) and save money. I had a meager salary, and I wasn’t working from home at the time, so if I didn’t do this, my health and finances would be in a much worse place.

I would also love to learn more about sustainable cooking and how to reduce waste.

Reduce the pile on my recycling bin

Despite buying my produce in bulk and taking reusable bags everywhere, the pile on my recycling bin is still more giant than I would like it to be.

It’s overwhelming the quantity of plastic and disposable packages one ends up with after going to a regular supermarket. While zero waste bulk stores can solve part of the problem, I have none nearby. So, spending one hour and a half (each way) on a crowded subway to get some nuts wouldn’t be that sustainable for me.

My plan? Look even harder for more conscious options while shopping at my local supermarket. I am willing to pay a few extra euros for a more sustainable package or buy a more extensive package if it’s a product I regularly use and there aren’t any eco-conscious options available.

I know it can be pretty challenging, but it’s the little steps that count. 

What about you? Do you have any eco-conscious goals for this year?