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What I've learned on my journey to low waste
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THE FEELING OF BEING PART OF THE SOLUTION
I feel like all we ever hear is that "more is better". Be more, do more, have more.. Well as it stopped making sense for me, I decided to learn how to live differently. And this is what I've learned so far !
When making a transition (any transition), it's hard to not get too caught up in it. Everywhere around me, I was noticing fast fashion, mountains of trash, single use plastic, food waste, stress, fatigue and overwhelmed people..
It was like putting on glasses. Suddenly I saw trends and behaviors around me with a new clarity, and choosing to be different got a little tricky.. But also very rewarding.
I don't think there is a better feeling than to match your every day life with your values. It was at least for me, a point of no return !
I SHARE HERE WHAT I HAVE DISCOVERED ON LOW WASTE THAT YOU CAN ADD TO YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE TOO !
1. ZERO WASTE TOO, IS A TREND
We see them everywhere now, reusable bottles and cotton bags have taken over most shops and although it is INCREDIBLE, it too, is consumerism. Reusing what you already have is much more important than getting that new bento box !
2. THE SIMPLER USUALLY MEANS THE BETTER
Think of food for example. The healthier for both you and the planet would be to get fresh fruits and vegetables, not the already made microwaveable meal. Well, everything is like that. Staying with simple things means less waste and a healthier for you.
Have a look at our Slow, simple living Ebook for ideas, recipes and tutorials !
LOUISE HERE !
hi
I'm so happy that you stumbled on our little corner of the web.
I hope this space serves you in your journey to a more mindful and sustainable life !
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3. TOLERANCE IS KEY
We live in a society that loves 'more'. Since birth we are told to be more, have more, do more. When you decide to hop off the consumerism train, you can find that it's hard for you.. but for others too.
For me, it felt like I was at odds with society. The system we have is so different from what I craved that I felt like I didn't belong. I started telling myself that I have to be the change I want to see in the world, and I learned that being patient, showing the example, being tolerant with others was a much easier way to making them understand, than getting mad at them ! (Sorry dad.. Still working on that one).
On the other end of the spectrum, it can be hard for others to see you evolve. By changing my way of consuming, of working, of designing my life, I forced people in my life to look at their own habits, and it's not always easy.
We all have different paths and move at different paces. We can't force anyone to move forward or to stay the same for that matter. We can only live our own truth, respect others and their choices and move forward with our lives.
Tolerance is everything.
4. ALWAYS THINK REUSABLE OVER SINGLE USE
In general, if I can only use it once, I leave it. May it be bags, mugs, cutlery, menstrual products, lenses.. There is always a way to avoid it, even if that means asking for a smoothie in your tupperware (true story), or get a new prescription for month to month lenses.
5. RECYCLING ISN'T ALWAYS THE ANSWER
After traveling across Europe, we've noticed that recycling isn't most country's strong suit. So when I can, I switch items I use regularly for ones I can do myself, or refill, or know for sure will recycle, like glass or aluminium. So we ended up switching toothpaste to get a recyclable aluminium tube instead of the plastic one, and started buying our condiments in glass jars.
6. WHEN IN DOUBT, CHOOSE YOUR HEALTH
As a vegan, I eat a lot of lentils, beans and chickpeas, and I will buy them even if they don't come in bulk. There is a point where health matters more than a little plastic. Same for water in places where tap isn't safe, same for medication, same for a lot of those things we take for granted. Your health is more important !
7. IT CAN'T ALWAYS BE PERFECT
I came to zero-waste almost overnight, and set expectations for myself that I simply couldn't meet. I lived in Dublin at the time, and farmers markets or bulk shops were not exactly the trend. I made myself crazy for the little things, instead of seeing the big picture. You can't always be perfect, sometimes waste is unavoidable. And that's ok.. The most important thing is to try and inspire others to do the same.
8. MOST OF THE TIME, YOU CAN MAKE IT YOURSELF
You can make your own cleaning supplies, natural medicine, clothes, food, furniture.. I mean you can literally learn to make it all (thank you internet) ! Don't think that shopping is your only option - most of the time, you can make things yourself, or reuse what you already have.
9. YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Everywhere people are waking up to the realization that they want more with their lives, than the achievement of driving a new car and having a lot of responsibilities. More and more are joining the slow and responsable movement, which means that you can surround yourself with people who are choosing to act for the world too !
Which does not mean all of our friends have green hearts. But most of them make simple efforts to shop with less waste, to buy less fast fashion clothes, to eat less meat etc.. What matters is that we all get to it eventually anyways - right ?
Low waste for me is based on respect. Respect for the planet, respect for animals, and respect for others with where they are at in their lives. No one has it all figured out, we are all going with what feels right..
So thank you all for trying, and for making all the efforts. You are enough !
Have a beautiful day gang xx
I'M LOUISE
Thanks for giving this a read ! I'm a writer, photographer & self proclaimed environmental warrior, excited to share solutions, ideas and recipes to bring sustainability into our lives.
hello
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