As soon as New Years hit I could feel it in my gut that this was going to be a good year for everyone, following all of the personal challenges and roadblocks we all seemed to face in 2018 & 2019..
I never had much of an interest in sustainability. It always seemed like someone would pick up after you. If you put things in the bin, it gets taken to another place for you and that there would pretty much be infinite resources from the planet. But as time went on and I started changing my eating habits and watching documentaries on sustainable nutrition, minimalism and fast fashion, a switch flicked and I realised we need to do something about it quite urgently…
When I ate meat, I didn’t have a second thought about it. It just comes in a pack on the shelf ready to go. Pleasure for our tastebuds. But it wasn’t until I saw video after video of what the animals go through beforehand, being confined to tiny spaces, having their children taken off them, being pumped with antibiotics and growth hormones, having their bones literally break beneath them from the genetically modified unnatural weight of their own body. Once they are of no longer use to the farmer or they’re big enough to be profitable, they’re jammed into a truck and taken to a slaughterhouse which they can smell from a mile away. They get their throats slit, some get stunned or shocked, some get a giant bullet into their skull from a hand device that doesn’t always work the first time. But unfortunately due to such fast processing times, it isn’t always effective. This may mean they are being bled out or put into scalding water (boiled alive) to kill bacteria and remove hair, and they can still feel everything..
Even if you take meat out of the equation, what about the products we use around the home? What about our laundry detergents, our soaps, our makeup, where we source our other food items from and where we source our clothes from? Once you become aware of whats really going on, you kind of fall into a big hole of discovering everything that’s wrong with our throw-away society which is lacking compassion and care..
I’m still very new to all this and it wasn’t too long ago I thought people who were making such drastic changes were weird 🙂
However, I hope these ideas can inspire some change in your own household and lifestyle!
It’s up to us to save the world. Don’t rely on anyone or anything else to do it for you.
Every contribution matters! So let’s get started ♥
1. Swapped my baby wipes for re-usable make-up remover cloths.
Here is a photo of what baby wipes look like after they have been flushed down the toilet. I figured if they don’t break down in the sewer after 100 years, then putting them in the bin isn’t much different either. I did find them handy to keep in the car and to wipe my face, but I swapped to a much softer re-usable makeup cloth which will give me something to look forward to with my skin care 🙂
2. Use reputable brands and natural products
One of my favourite self-care rituals is lathering my body in coconut oil before I climb into bed at night! I quite often use coconut oil as a moisturiser on my legs or a face mask.
Recently I steered away from buying moisturiser from the supermarket after looking at the label and realising I don’t know what the hell is in it! What’s the point in eating healthy if I’m going to put chemicals on my skin to be absorbed anyway!
I am re-stocking my beauty supply and moving to a brand that contains nothing artificial and doesn’t test on animals. I just tried a natural shampoo and conditioner for the first time which worked out well and will continue buying some of their products as my old ones run out.
3. Make more of my own beauty and kitchen products
There’s something special about making something from scratch, rather than just buying it on a shelf ready to go! This year I want to build up a little collection of recipes for plant milk, pesto, hummus, bread, nut cheese, nut butters, kombucha, sugar scrubs, laundry powder and more. Yes it can be time consuming, but there’s something relaxing about spending a day in the kitchen every so often, trying out new things and embracing what we feed our bodies.
I’ll keep you posted with how these go and maybe even share some ideas that you can make at home too!
4. Shop locally and support smaller businesses
I didn’t even attend my first farmers market until the end of 2019! Most weekends when it was on I was busy studying, had client meetings or had promo work so it wasn’t something I was able to explore as early as I’d liked! However, I did find the most beautiful crystal necklace that I wear every single day, I connected with some amazing people, got to taste yummy food and purchased a few specialty items that you wouldn’t get from the supermarket.
Your dollar counts!
If you put it towards big corporations, it doesn’t really make a difference to them. But if you support smaller businesses it can help them feed their families and help their brand take off!
5. Learn to garden
This year I want to start a small veggie and herb garden so I can use the amazing flavours in my cooking! Such an important skill that not many of us know how to do these days! I’m hoping it will be rewarding in the end creating my dishes from start to finish!
6. Re-vamp my whole wardrobe
What’s that? You want to spend more on clothes?
My whole life I’ve had to take what I can get in terms of my wardrobe. Especially after being a student, quitting my job to start my own business and experiencing more set-backs than I can count! I’ve never been one to get into labels and generally shopped for items around $30 a piece. But the problem is, they end up stretching and looking horrible on your body, falling apart in the wash and fading over time. They usually only last one season if that.
This year I want to save up a bit more and treat myself to a wardrobe overhaul of quality items that not only make me feel good, but will also last years which requires less resources overall.
I can’t wait!
7. Something I’ve been doing for as long as I can remember, but many people don’t – Wait until something is broken before replacing it!
No, you don’t need the latest Iphone just because it’s released, or a new car to show off because you got a raise at work. I’ve always been one to wait until something is pretty much unusable before I go shopping for a new one. Not only is this better on your wallet, it teaches you appreciation, patience, how to look after your things, and to wait until something is a need rather than a want. It’s good for your mental health, lets just say that 🙂
8. Use more glass in the pantry rather than plastic bags
I love buying nuts, seeds, dates, granola, trail mix and dried fruit from the supermarket to snack on and use in my cooking. But instead of keeping all of these little plastic bags everywhere, I want to use jars to refill! How gorgeous does this look!
View this post on Instagram
9. Maintain a minimalist lifestyle
Once again, this is something I already enjoy doing but it’s a great idea for others to consider. The way I look at it is reducing the amount of decisions you have to make each day and minimising head clutter.
If you have to spend an hour trying on outfits and matching all of your accessories, isn’t that stressful and a big time waster?
I recommend keeping clothes that you can mix’n’match quite easily so you can just throw your look together without much thought. I read in an entrepreneurs book years ago that it clears up space in your head for bigger and better thinking. Better decision making, more space for new ideas etc. What’s not to love?
There have also been studies done that people who live in messy and cluttered homes are often over-weight, compared to those who live in tidy organised homes. This is because when they finish work each day they look at the size of the task that needs doing and it’s exhausting! Whereas if everything is in it’s place you’re much more likely to make a healthy snack and head to the gym or go for an evening run or walk! Don’t just do it for the planet, do it for your health!
Do a big clear out of what you use regularly and whats just useless. Donate or sell the excess!
10. Use cardboard or metal straws instead of plastic
This is an easy one! I didn’t even know that plastic straws had any adverse effects to the environment and animal welfare until I saw a photo of one stuck up a turtles nose! Buy a re-usable straw and keep it in your handbag with you in-case you’re out for drinks etc.
11. Take your own coffee cup
Coffee is a staple in almost every persons diet and it’s something we enjoy and treasure greatly. I only buy cafe quality coffee about once a fortnight as a treat because it does add up, but you can keep your own cup in your car and just wash it in-between uses!
Think about how many people all over the world are going through these cups 1-3 times a day!
All it takes is making it a new habit for a week then you’ll be on your way 🙂
12. Go makeup free more often
Now THIS is a tough one for some people. When I had my corporate office job I remember being sooo terrified of leaving the house without makeup that I would fully cake it up just to sit in front of a computer all day! Because of my role, I didn’t even have clients to see or hardly any meetings to attend.
Slowly after the influence of my friend I just started using a tanned moisturiser and mascara with some lip balm some days and only glamming up on days I felt like it. Once I quit my job to work for myself, I found myself going makeup free around 4 days a week! I would only wear it Friday-Sunday or for special occasions like meeting friends in town or photo-shoots.
I feel my skin improved and I felt more confident embracing my natural beauty. Makeup should be used to enhance our features, not cover up what we look like completely 🙂
Here are some ways makeup impacts the environment.
13. Gift people experiences instead of things
This one is one of my favourite things to talk about as it’s surprising how many people don’t think of it!
I love receiving gifts on some occasions if it’s something I would use regularly and wouldn’t necessarily fork out money for myself. But if you’re struggling deciding what to get someone, here are some ideas –
- Babysit their children so they can have a date night
- Cook for them or make a little food basket with specialty items
- Help them tick something off their bucket list
- Go ice skating, rock climbing, kayaking, hiking or horse riding on the beach
- Have a bowling night
- Attend a workshop
- Go camping (or glamping if it’s not your thing)
- Go to a yoga or pilates class
- Go to a cooking class for a specialty cuisine such as Japanese, Indian or Thai
- Attend a dance lesson – how about salsa, tango or even twerking for a laugh!
At the end of the day it’s often experiences we’ve had with people that fill up our memories. Give some of these a go!
14. Adopt animals from a shelter rather than a pet store
I’m not looking at getting any animals this year as I am planning for a year of travel, but I have done this in the past as well as my family members and it wins in every way.
I feel if you adopt a dog from a shelter, they know what both sides of life are like. They’ve had the abuse, they’ve had the neglect, they may have even had starvation. When they get a caring new owner like you, they appreciate you so much more than a fresh puppy thats been bred to be sold for thousands. Pet store animals also often end up with a range of different health problems in their genetics from what I’ve experienced.
Here is my goat Jasmine which I had to keep at my dads after I moved to the city. Even though she’s a girl and a milking goat, they send all the extra babies away to get slaughtered/shot. I was able to go into the pen of hundreds of tiny playful kids and pick her out to take home with me. The rest weren’t so lucky..
15. Be careful of food wastage
It’s crazy to hear about all of these families who cook enough dinner that they have leftovers for lunch the next day, but instead of utilising it they throw it away to make something fresh!
Meal prep is the best thing ever invented to me! Less time in the kitchen, less meals to plan and shop for, and more time to relax or spend your time on other tasks! It’s a win-win!
To avoid food wastage I keep a ‘meals to make’ list of inspiration I find off the internet. Before each shop I pick a few and write down the ingredients I need. It’s not often the food goes off before it gets eaten. Plan it out and be organised when you can.
16. Organise ‘clothing swap’ dates with your friends or shop at second hand stores
Some items we just do not need to buy brand new. Circle the possessions you no longer need throughout your friend group so that treasured items can be enjoyed time and time again.
This can be the same for anything! I buy some of my digital possessions second hand online, household items, my vehicle as well as clothing.
17. Take public transport, carpool or even ride a bike
This can help limit the amount of cars we have on the road, reduce traffic jams and reduce the amount of fuel we are using.
18. View all beings as equal rather than humans ruling the world
Yes, humans are the only species who have evolved and created a modern world with technology and buildings. We have the power to use it for good, but we are also the #1 cause of destruction and pollution worldwide.
We should look at ourselves as equal to all beings. We should be considerate of their homes, their emotions and their lives.
Judging by how many species are extinct, the state of our oceans, the rainforests, the water, the air, the way we use and abuse animals for our tastebuds whilst stripping them of their livelihood, we are far from a kind and considerate world.
19. Incorporate more plant-based meals
You don’t need to go fully vegan to make an impact on the planet, but you can do your part by eating meat and dairy free more often. Ideally, a lot of people find eating plant-based during the week and eating what they want in the weekend works for them, or only indulging when they dine out or have dinner made for them.
Personally I find a 90-95% approach sustainable. I still enjoy fish 1-2 times a month and on the odd occasion I crave eggs, I only source them from lifestyle blocks, never the supermarket – to find out why click here.
For some people an all or nothing approach works best because they not only feel better, but it helps them avoid slipping back into old habits.
I have produced plenty of content and resources around why I feel plant-based eating beats anything else. I love it so much I decided to quit my job and make a career out of it.
Feel free to check out my Instagram or Facebook for daily content, or have a look through my website for meal plans, mouth-watering recipes and online guides for healthy eating.
20. Inspire others to make positive change in their own lives
Once you pick up all these bits and pieces of knowledge, share it around! Most people have the same weekly routine that they live over and over. We’re all guilty of it! Sometimes we can’t see the negative impacts of our actions and our choices and we just need someone to plant the seed and be a positive influence in our own lives.
I’ve been on nice walks or day trips with my partner and best friend on different occasions, and both of them have this habit of picking up rubbish along the way. I’ve never seen anyone do that before, so of course it plants the seed in my own head of how we should be acting to save our planet and keep it looking beautiful.
It’s important to surround yourself with those who have good values and beliefs, want to leave a positive impact on the world and think of us as a giant eco-system, rather than human beings being the rulers of the planet because look how we ended up..
I would love to hear if you have any more suggestions! Comment below or give this post a share on social media. Lets work together in 2020 to try and reverse some of the damage that’s been done so we can enjoy our time here in peace!
