Where on Earth to Start

and how to stay motivated

Whether this is your first or one-hundred-and-first step in your sustainability journey, deciding what changes to make next can be daunting. Like any new challenge, this should start wherever and whenever it makes sense for you (and your family/household/peer group). Which can be different for everyone.

My best suggestion:

Start with what’s relevant and easy. Small wins encourage us to keep going and take on bigger challenges. In my upcoming posts I’ll share with you a few things that I stumbled upon because the opportunity or necessity presented itself.

5 simple sustainable swaps (that worked for me):

Switch to a shampoo bar

They’re now widely available. Lush has a bunch to choose from and many local makers have started to sell them too.

Switch to loose leaf tea

If you’re a tea drinker, there are various reusable infusers to fit any style. They even sell reusable to-go mugs with tea infusers built in now. I got mine at Costco.

Make the bulk food store your new best friend!

When grocery shopping, try to ask yourself if this item can be purchased in bulk to avoid wasteful packaging.

Buy local whenever possible

Instead of going straight to Amazon, do a quick internet search for the item in question and any local suppliers.

Opt out of paper news and flyers

You can get all your news online and it just takes a call or email to your local provider. Note: I've had to remind them every few years when the delivery person changes.

Gradual change will be most attainable and sustainable. Don’t try to change your life overnight - you’ll exhaust yourself and that’s not emotionally sustainable. 

As we continue looking at sustainable practices we’ll pull ideas from minimalism, the Konmari method, and any other inspiration we can muster.

What sustainability challenges are your biggest hurdles right now?