Every year I promise to live a greener life. Live more sustainably is always at the top of my agenda when the new year rolls around but by February I’ve usually been distracted from energy-saving bulbs and recycling bins by something shiny. Lockdown, however, has made me examine my shopping habits and the way I consume energy like never before, not to mention who I shop with and even who I bank with. So, here are a few ways I’m planning to up the ante when it comes to adopting eco-friendly practices and how you can too.
Grow Your Own
While I was panicking in the supermarket aisles trying to get my hands on the limited fruit and veg on offer during lockdown, my Auntie was cooking up a storm thanks to her lovely little vegetable garden. Growing your own fruit and vegetables has always seemed a little daunting to me but there are loads of courses out there to make creating your own veggie garden easy. There is no doubt that sustainability is at the forefront of people’s minds, a few friends of mine have started growing their own courgettes, carrots, and potatoes at home. Plus, it’s a great family activity that can keep little fingers busy for hours. So, if you have a space in your back yard, why not grow your own?
Clean Green
An easy way to prioritize eco-friendly practices is to incorporate them into your cleaning schedule. This is a simple process, you simply swap out the basic cleaning products that you use around the house for eco-friendly versions. I recently did this and purchased a boatload of Method products. They use ingredients that are kind to the planet and their bottles look pretty lined up in the shower. Win win!
Dowload a Podcast or Read a Book
If you’re like me, when it comes to being greener, you might need a little inspiration and that’s where a handy podcast comes in. If you want to live a more sustainable life and move beyond the basics but you don’t know where to start, pop on a podcast when you’re driving or having a soak in the bath. You might not adopt all of the advice, but even if you pick up a tip or two, it could be the beginning of a positive change. I tried a few podcasts but my favourite by far was the Green Dreamer. If you prefer to read words on a page, download A Zero Waste Life in 30 Days and make some serious progress in just a month.
Be a Concious Consumer
As a self-employed freelance writer, COVID has thrown a few spanners in the works and I’ve promised myself I will spend consciously for the next few months.
This means no swiping up to by that pricey sweater my favourite influencer is wearing, no picking up chocolate bars mindlessly at the till when paying for fuel and no impulse buying in Zara. But it also means being more mindful where I spend my money and even where I store my money (you can find out more about green banking here). Are the stores I shop in or the banks I use associated with destructive industries for example?
Being a conscious consumer might be taking the time to see how much energy I’m consuming at home and cutting down or saying no to fast fashion (any excuse to buy a fancy investment piece).
The easiest way to live greener is to make simple swaps. Could you be taking a reusable water bottle to the gym? Could you be buying boxed water instead of bottled? Could you be shopping in second-hand stores or maybe using re-usable makeup removing pads?
These little changes can make a huge difference to your carbon footprint and the environment.
How are you living a more sustainable life after lockdown?
*This was a collaborative post
