*Enjoy this grounding yoga practice and my earth-inspired lake meditation :)
It’s lovely to have a day where the Earth is recognized; where companies make helpful donations, sustainable commitments, and inspiring statements; where we might be a little bit more aware of the lifestyle we live and the products we purchase.
The thing is, earth-friendly living takes daily attention and effort; sometimes this type of lifestyle is not as convenient or as quick of a turn around as we want it to be.
When we love something or someone, though, and we realize all it does / they do for us (we literally wouldn’t be here without the earth’s bounty), we go the extra mile to care for it / them.
So my question to those of us with the privilege of having abundant resources is:
Can we do a little bit extra for our planet?
I’m certainly still learning and trying myself, but my personal studies and experiences over the years - including a Master’s Thesis on sustainable fashion - has inspired me to adopt some more conscious habits that, although not always convenient, have now become second-nature to me.
For example: buying things second-hand can be both an adventure and also a bit of a pain. It takes longer; sometimes the thing doesn’t look or work or fit the way we had hoped; it doesn’t come with a warranty or a return policy.
Irritations aside, buying second-hand can increase the life-cycle of something that might have otherwise been chucked into a trash pile, and that is likely to be replaced with another thing.
This shows us that we can do the same, too - so long as the thing is in decent enough condition, we can sell or offer it to someone who might give it a good home, whether it’s old jewelry or clothes, perfectly functional and useful electronics, or kitchenware.
When purchasing anything from toilet paper to food, from skincare to apparel, I know from experience that making more ecologically-conscious choices might take a bit more time and research; it may require more of a financial investment.
It can also be a bummer to relinquish the consumption of things that are familiar and convenient - whether it’s a nostalgic cereal or a beloved footwear brand.
This can all feel exhausting and overwhelming to consider - hence the turn toward ease and convenience (the subsidies that companies receive to make things cheaper and faster - and as a result more toxic / less effective - is another story).
By taking small yet meaningful actions, though, we can gradually learn to emotionally release and physically bypass the stuff that no longer serves us or our planet; to direct our attention and dollars toward brands and products that implement ecologically responsible production and packaging.
It’s not about perfection (no need to turn into a stressed out eco-monster), but more-so about cultivating awareness and taking aligned action as often as possible.
Realities like providing for other humans or pets, paying bills, or managing health issues may also take precedence - finding a balance within these personal and planetary priorities needs to be tailored to you.
All things considered, the practice of considering our ecological impact in our daily life is a very important muscle that is built over time, and can be curated to suit our ever-changing circumstances.
The commitment to living this way is also a mindset and practice that will eventually evolve into something that feels a more habitual.
When we remember that this commitment is for the benefit of our own species and all the magnificent ecological systems and creatures we share this big beautiful rock with (we rely on each other!), eco-conscious habits become not only more natural, but also more of a privileged responsibility.
*My ethical gift guide includes brands and products that take the planet and its people into consideration - I am affiliated with some of them, and have the pleasure of offering a few discount codes for you to enjoy.
And although it’s not a perfect company, I’ve also compiled everything from pantry staples to eco yoga products on my Amazon storefront in an effort to support the companies on that platform who have more ecological initiatives (I receive a small commission).
In the meantime, we can start small and try things out for ourselves (accessibility and budget permitting) to discover our own unique planet-friendly habits.
Here are some ways to begin:
Notice the products you buy and why.
Can it be a bulk purchase to avoid excess packaging (i.e. pantry staples)? Can you budget for a longer-lasting investment purchase? Is the packaging recyclable or reusable? Are the ingredients or materials non-toxic (for you and the planet)? Can you find an eco-friendlier version of the same product? Do you need it (without shaming yourself for wanting it either way)?
Be aware of ingredients / materials and greenwashing.
Be discerning of convincing labels and marketing using words like “all natural.” EWG’s Skin Deep researches and reports on personal care product ingredients.
Explore buying / selling second-hand.
Thrift stores, estate sales, and apps have a boatload of functional items (I use Poshmark in the US and Vinted in France). My partner and I bought stand up paddle boards and decorative pillows from people who were selling stuff before they moved. Baby / kids clothes and toys can easily be handed down. It’s a good exercise in trust and patience (a well-rounded mindful experience!).
Recycle, reuse, and repurpose whenever possible.
Old jars or bottles make great food containers or vases for flowers. I use old 1.5 liter plastic bottles as light home weights; paper and plastic veggie bags get reused until they need to be tossed; old shirts become rags to clean with; egg cartons store small things inside cabinets and drawers. Resole shoes; patch or sew holes. Have fun.
Bring your own bags, bottles, utensils - or shop at places that use compostable ones.
Many restaurants and stores are now thankfully embracing this. Reuse any extra food containers and bags for as long as it lasts.
Create something out of found materials.
You might find things people are getting rid of, or hidden gems you have on hand. My partner repurposes old wood and builds it into something useful - it took some time and effort, but now we have a nice balcony bench, balcony flower boxes, and an indoor stool thanks to palettes we found on the sidewalk.
Learn to garden or compost, if it’s accessible.
This has been a really fun (and also frustrating, i.e. dying plants) experience for me. Our fresh balcony herbs, though sparse, have been a delight - I also learned how to dry them for cooking. We don’t yet have a compost bin in France (any tips on balcony composting?), but I’ve been learning to do it at my partner’s family home in Germany - it’s incredibly rewarding to watch it nourish incoming or growing plants.
Follow and support organizations that are working to make a difference.
Some examples are The Ocean Cleanup, Farmer’s Footprint, Earthrise, The Nature Conservancy, WWF, NRDC, and many more. Brands like Patagonia implement creative ecological initiatives that will hopefully inspire others to follow suit.
Do your best.
I have to remind myself not to get down on myself when I buy something wrapped in plastic, or use car / air travel versus trains. If we all put in even just a tiny bit more effort though, industries across the board will more readily respond to the demand of less plastic and more compostable, non-toxic products and methods.
Lastly, here are a few things to consider investing in for the health of our bodies and our planet:
unbleached toilet paper / paper towels - or replace paper towels with rags :)
non-toxic cleaning products - consider brands like Branch Basics or homemade (apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and pure castile soap work on most things)
oral and skincare / hair care products - brands like OSEA and Living Libations are legit - you can even make your own (olive and almond oils work for my skin)
bedding - sleep is so important and we spend a lot of time in bed - consider organic, chemical-free options if and whenever possible (I love Coyuchi)
apparel and shoes - especially underwear (Pact!) and workout gear / equipment
cookware - peruse stainless steel or PFA-free nonstick options in place of Teflon
pantry items & packaged foods - organic / fair trade / in bulk is great, if and whenever possible; check labels and packaging - look for minimal ingredients
unpackaged foods / veg / meats / dairy - same as above; learn how to use the parts you might typically toss (i.e. radish and beet greens are delicious when sautéed; animal organs and bones have a lot of nutrients if you eat meat)
Contact me for consultations on how to integrate practices and products like this into your life, whether you’re on a time or financial budget, taking care of kids, etc.
This is completely interconnected to Health or Mindfulness Coaching; it is a huge component to cultivating a deeper relationship to yourself and others.
My general hope is that we can embrace our privilege by helping to create a less toxic, more supportive and balanced world - day by day; Earth Day and beyond.
What small shift are you excited to make this week that you can start to implement on a more regular basis?
Take good care of yourselves and our planet,
S