We need to talk…

Not only what we’re currently living and all the challenges we are facing worldwide, but of life itself. And why I haven’t been posting so often.

Even though I am the only person responsible for The Sustainable and the one who decides the content, now and then, I face writer’s block. Not because I don’t have anything to write about (I have plenty of new products to try and review), but because I feel the need to write about different things.

Getting more personal and sharing a bit of what I am going through, my thoughts on what’s happening worldwide, or why I am not posting so consistently.

Why am I not posting as frequently as I used to?

As some of you know, I work full-time at an advertising agency, and things tend to get intense. Which often leads to fast-paced working days, putting on extra hours, and inevitably feeling drained by the end of the day.

I love my job, don’t get me wrong. But intense work periods are more frequent than I’d like these to be. So, I inevitably end up putting this project on hold and prioritizing recharge. I hope things slow up and that I can be more consistent in the upcoming months.

What can you expect from The Sustainablist?

So many ideas, so little time. The Sustainablist is not just a personal project of mine but also my safe space when it comes to writing.

I write every day for a living, but sometimes whatever I am working on isn’t exactly fulfilling - besides the positive impact it might have on the world. So, this place is where I call the shots and allow my authenticity to shine.

Right now, I have plenty of article ideas jotted down and a large array of products to try. And I would like to bring new sections in or go back to posting on Pinterest.

Unfortunately, my energy level hasn’t been the best lately. So, it’s pretty tricky for me to sit in front of the computer and write about whatever my heart desires, even though it would bring my spirits up.

If you have any suggestions on what you’d like to read here at The Sustainablist or any products you’d like me to review, feel free to drop me a line. 

What are my plans for this Summer?

Unlike previous years, I won’t be traveling anywhere this Summer. Given the earlier months of intense work, I am opting for a staycation this Summer.

The main reason is that I need to restore my energy levels. The best way to do it is to stop, take a break from electronic devices and do things that I love, like reading, going to the movies, or eating delicious food. I can do everything from the comfort of my home or around town.

This decision alone will allow me to reduce my Summer footprint drastically. I am an ex-pat (Portuguese living in Spain), so I usually fly or drive home during the Summer to visit my close family. This means that on a typical Summer, I would hop on two flights or drive around 8 hours each way.

I don’t know how it will be, but I would like to reduce my yearly trips - given its environmental impact. Given my circumstances, I won’t be able to terminate my travels abroad. Still, I hope that the transportation options between Portugal and Spain will evolve in the upcoming years so that I can do these more sustainably.

How am I surviving the heat wave?

As you’ve probably seen on the news recently (or witnessed it yourself), Europe has been through an unusual heat wave. Even cold-prone cities like London had to face scorching hot 40ºC days (that’s right!).

I know! It’s something that we’ve been talking about for years now due to climate change. So, we all knew that it would eventually happen at some point, but… being ready for it is a whole different thing.

Madrid (where I am currently based) is already quite hot in the Summer. But this year is being a whole different level of heat. Just so you can have an idea, most days, it’s still 35ºC outside at 11 pm. Which is absolutely insane! 

The implications? It’s impossible to rest and have a good night’s sleep. 

The solution? Take a quick shower before bed to lower the body’s temperature, and turn the fan on despite its impact (economic, environmental, and health).

I hope that this glimpse of what our lives will be may inspire many to change some of their everyday habits and start a more sustainable lifestyle.

What are my eco-conscious actions for this Summer?

Not traveling abroad is the major one. However, I have been revising my actions from previous years to see what changes I can make. 

For example:

• I am removing highly processed food and sodas from my diet.

• I am opting for package-free produce.

• I am choosing local produce and ingredients.

• I am drastically reducing how often I order stuff online.

• I am opting for digital only when buying or subscribing to a magazine.

• I turn the fan only when the heat is too much to bear.

Even though these are small actions, I firmly believe that a little goes a long way if we do these consistently.

What about you? What have you been up to this Summer? How are you dealing with all the challenges?