What is green living?
In short, green living means developing sustainable habits so that your daily routines work alongside nature instead of in opposition to it. It’s about making choices that conserve and preserve the Earth’s natural resources, eco systems and habitats, and limit further damage. And it is about understanding that we are a part of the earth, and the harm we do the planet, we ultimately do to ourselves. To heal the planet, is to heal ourselves.
For me, the journey towards greener living has been about joy. About slowing down a bit, about mindfulness, taking charge and re-evaluating my life and seeing what’s really important. It’s the joy of congruency and living in line with my values, and taking pride in a life well lived.
Green living means you:
- Find alternatives for products that require a lot of natural resources or pollute the planet;
- Waste less;
- Find eco friendly solutions to everyday needs and wants.
And, very importantly: - Rethink cultural norms and traditions.
Green living means being mindful and questioning the way things are done. For example, ask yourself:
- Why have I been doing it this way?
- Do I really need this?
- Does this make me happy?
- Who is paying the true price for this? Is it the people who made this, the planet, future generations?
- Do I need to buy this or can I borrow this?
- Can I use something I already own to accomplish the same thing?
- Will this product last?
- Is there an alternative?
When you get started on this amazing journey, don’t let perfection be the enemy of good. In today’s society it is nearly impossible to do everything right. It’s ok if your first steps are small. What matters is that you take them. All your small steps will add up over time into significant change. And in the words of writer Eduardo Galeano:
“Many small people, in small places, doing small things can change the world.”