Reducing single-use plastics, composting, swapping liquid products for solid versions, using reusable mesh bags are some of the things you can do if you’d like to have a more sustainable lifestyle. But how much should you do to have a more sustainable living? Do you really have to quit all your commodities and drastically change your lifestyle?

As a Health Coach and journalist on sustainable living, I can tell that embarking on an eco-friendly journey has a lot in common with creating a healthier lifestyle. Confused?! There are more similarities than you can imagine.

First things, first:

When you finally decide to change some of your daily habits, you’ll probably seek for help or guidance on how to do it. You’ll probably buy a book instead of talking to a professional. Mostly because: a) you think you can do it on your own and b) you don’t want to spend too much money.

The problem? Maybe all the information you’ve just read left you feeling a bit overwhelmed and powerless. You’ll probably think that this new exciting path isn’t for you or that you’ll have a hard time making it work.

What happens next? You’ll probably give up before you actually even started.

The trick? Don’t make the changes all at once. And don’t expect to turn your life around overnight. Instead, decide to take one step at a time. When this new habit is already part of your routine… it’s time to implement a new one or take one step further. This is valid for any any habit that you want to bring into your life.

Life is all about balance. We often fail because of our high expectations or our personal demand on doing everything perfectly. You can’t run a marathon if you haven’t ran before, losing weight is a combination of healthy eating and exercise (on a regular basis) and changing your lifestyle into a more sustainable one is made out of small (yet consistent) steps.

Change takes time. No matter the kind of change we’re talking about. Also, some changes are easier than others.

thesustainablist-zerowaste-travelkit-freestocks-unsplash.jpg

What do you need to do if you want to be more eco-friendly?

Evaluate which area of your life is easier for you to make a swap (kitchen, bathroom, school, transportation, food, etc). For example, taking reusable shopping bags when you go to the supermarket might be easier for you than buying all your food in bulk.

Pick one new habit at a time and incorporate it in your daily life. Mark it in your calendar or to-do list if you need it. Leave that new item (if that’s the case) in a place that is within your eyesight when you need to use it. By doing it constantly, it will easily become part of your routine.

It has to be something simple and sustainable. Not just for the environment, but for your life. Let’s say: eco-friendly clothes are better for the environment and the society (fair trade), but if you’re unemployed and live on a very tight budget… you probably can’t afford spending 70 euros on an organic cotton plain white t-shirt. But maybe you can find a precious piece at a vintage shop for a fraction of the price. Or if you can’t find the time to make your own detergents at home, getting a more environmentally friendly version at the supermarket will be just fine.

Don’t expect to do it perfectly. Small and consistent steps are more important than doing something only once. Make it part of your routine. Just like when you started working out or decided to quit sugar. For example: taking reusable produce bags with you every time you go to the supermarket is more important (and meaningful) than buying in bulk once single time. You want to feel good about your actions, not spending the day stressing about something. You have have enough on your plate, already!

Don’t get too carried away by what others say. Change isn’t easy. And sometimes it happens to be a bit uncomfortable to our loved ones. Mostly because they are used to a different version of us and sometimes it’s hard for them to understand why we want to make that change. It’s perfectly normal and it happens pretty much all the time. Just be patient and give them time to adjust to this new you.

Create your own eco-friendly lifestyle

Sustainability means something different for everyone. There’s no right or wrong answers here. Of course, we all want to save the planet but at the end of the day you need to feel comfortable about what you’re doing.

Start by making the changes that are easier for you to keep, like refusing a straw or a disposable coffee cup when you’re at a café. Take a close look at your trash bin and see what you can easily change. In my case were the plastic bags that I used to throw into the recycle bin soon after going grocery shopping. I’ve done some research and bought reusable organic cotton produce bags.

But what about if I couldn’t afford spending my money on those? In that case, I had to be creative. Instead of purchasing reusable bags, I would have probably tried to reuse some of the plastic bags that I already own the next time I went to the store. Or using old canvas bags to store my fruits and vegetables. Yes, making my own reusable produce bags would also be an option. Unfortunately I don’t know how to sew (sorry, grandma) - so this one wouldn’t work for me.

Don’t let yourself get too carried away by what you see on social media. We all know that social media platforms are loaded with perfectly curated pictures on sustainable living. The products are beautiful, the brand mission speaks to your heart, but the price tag not so much. I am not saying that you shouldn’t buy any products at all. You’ll probably have to. I had to.

But do you actually need everything? Do you need that exact item? Before you start tapping your credit card number ask yourself this question: do I have something similar at home or that I can use for the same purpose? If the answer is yes, maybe you should close that tab on your browser and move on.

Also, try to ignore some of the things you read on social media. Some people are just too passionate about the cause and they tend to patronise those who are in a different step than they are. Just make sure you do what’s best for you.

Here’s the answer that you’ve been waiting for: should you quit your zero waste path if you can’t do it perfectly? Absolutely not.

When in doubt, remember Anne Marie Bonneau’s words: we don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.