Eco Motivation: What to do when you’re about to give up?

Keeping motivated at all times is hard, if not impossible. Even when we’re talking about something as important as saving the planet. It’s just the way it is. Even though I am proud of the eco-friendly living I created, sometimes I look around and question myself… what’s the point of this whole thing?

After several years of changing my daily habits, being creative and responsible with my belongings, saying no to lots of things, and supporting sustainable brands… I feel tired. 

Tired of seeing so much single-use plastic at the supermarket, trash bins so packed that you have to leave your bags on the floor, the growth of online shopping and home deliveries because of the pandemic, just to name a few.

This is especially hard when you’re trying to make a positive impact and your family keeps going in a totally different way. 

Even though patience and respect are the best keys for everything. Sometimes it’s just hard to keep going and accepting that everyone is on a different path.

Here’s what I do:

1- Accept what I can’t change

I am only responsible for your actions and how I react to certain events or comments.

I can’t change my family’s habits and make these more sustainable, especially when they live in another country. 

What can I do? Let them know (on our regular conversations) what new eco-friendly habits I have introduced into my lifestyle. What difference has it made, how simple it is or how it is helping me save money. I can somehow inspire them with my actions. 

What I shouldn’t do? Judge and criticize them. Make them feel bad because they’re not doing this or that.

2- Accept that life gets in the way

After the unusual snowstorm that Madrid’s been through earlier this year, the water pipes in my building have frozen and I was out of water for over a week.

To survive and look slightly presentable during zoom meetings (thank God, I don’t have to go to the office these days), I had to use not-so-eco-friendly products: bottled water, dry shampoo, wipes…

Yes, it was a hard one for the eco-friendly me. But the ordinary me was even more frustrated by this whole situation - not being able to shower, wash my hair, cook properly, and so on.

This whole situation happened to be eye-opening and it helped me be less strict when it comes to my eco-friendly actions. Not beating myself so hard, if I can’t do everything exactly to plan.

3- Roll with the punches

If there’s something that the pandemic has thought me was to adapt to the circumstances, and doing the best I can.

Yes, being eco-friendly in 2020 was particularly hard. Especially during the first half, when we didn’t have much information and used more disposables than we needed. 

Now that I have a bit more information about how the virus is spread and what I can do to stay (relatively) safe, it’s up to me to make more sustainable choices (or not).

For mobility and safety reasons, I am shopping more online these days. While it’s something that I am not particularly fond of (for obvious reasons), I try to minimize the impact by supporting local brands, small businesses, and sustainable projects.

4- Change what I need to change

Sometimes no matter how eco-friendly an item is, it just doesn’t work for me. It’s a shame, I know. It can be a natural deodorant, a toothpaste I’ve seen on social media, or some other swap that just doesn’t fit into my lifestyle.

No matter how frustrating that is (I’ve spent time and money) if it makes me feel bad about my eco-friendly journey and it’s causing a negative impact in my everyday life… it’s time to go. And that’s ok!

Recognizing that taking consistent sustainable steps is more important than doing everything perfectly, it’s a necessary (and important) step. In the past, I would feel anxious and a failure.

Instead, I prefer to embrace the imperfection and focus on all the other things I can do (and I am already doing) towards the environment.

5- Stop comparing myself to others

How difficult it is not to compare ourselves to others these days? Thanks to social media, it’s pretty much inevitable.

Especially when you’re trying to change your lifestyle. Whether it is eating healthier working out or being more eco-friendly.

While these accounts and experiences can inspire you and give you valuable insights, these can also have the opposite effect.

I’ve felt that several times. 

Instead of comparing yourself to others and feeling bad because you’re not doing this or that, assume that you’re in a whole different step of the journey. Take the inspiration you need, ask questions and adapt the information you gather to your current needs.

Allow yourself to feel proud of your evolution, even if you have a long road ahead.