5 THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN YOU’RE TRYING TO LIVE SUSTAINABLY
- Avanti Adivarekar
- Jun 18, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 7, 2020
Every time I think about my low-waste journey, I wish there were some things I had known earlier. Here are some of my learnings:
Some low waste swaps may not work for you
A lot of videos (And Pinterest) tell you to switch to substitutes like shampoo bars because of how eco-friendly their packaging is. I tried a shampoo bar some months ago which come packaged in some beautiful leaves and thread. However, it happened to have a weird gunk like residue. This made me a little apprehensive of switching to bars completely.
Instead, I found shampoo from a brand that is all-natural, packages their products in aluminum and even has a take-
back scheme for their containers.
Almost all lifestyle changes that you plan to make, require some amount of trial and error first. What works for other people, may not work for you.
Your choices depend on what’s available in your country
As someone who has lived in different countries, I cannot help but notice the lack of availability, affordability and access to certain items in an average grocery store. This is just a reality. The internet makes you believe otherwise, but it’s something no one talks about. You mustn’t beat yourself up about it.
For e.g - I live in India, so old school stores where rice is available in bulk jute bags is very normal. It is just a matter of finding those stores. Similarly, hazelnuts are imported into India and thus come in a lot of packaging. The fact that rice is readily available to me package-free but hazelnuts are not, is something I cannot help.
Sustainability is an ongoing conversation
Because being sustainable is a lifestyle choice, it keeps evolving. Being clued in – what brands are doing, what other low-wasters are doing, what policy level changes are being made, what technology advancements are being made is very important. You never know what old item lying around at home can be upcycled into something else. A one-time conversation or Instagram follow has very little impact. The more you know, the more inspired you are to do more, and capable you are of having an informed conversation.
Eco-anxiety is real
You will feel eco-anxious at some point. It is normal. I would
wonder: how is 1 person (me) making all these lifestyle changes going to help in the long run? It does. Really, it does. Tell yourself that every single moment. Pinterest can be like going down a rabbit hole sometimes. How do I use what I have when I want to buy these lovely looking uniform glass jars look so tempting to buy? It is hard. If there was one thing the COVID-19 taught me, it was that I need to stop wanting so many things. I can make do with what I have. By wanting more things, I’m just falling for good marketing tactics.
Always talk about what you do
You never, never, never know who you are impacting when you talk about your efforts. Post on Instagram, speak to people, meet other low-wasters. Post on Facebook, tweet, start your own Youtube channel. Digital platforms have the ability to reach so many people that you cannot access otherwise. The things you do may be extremely novel for someone else. The more you talk, the more you become a part of the ongoing conversation. I had a friend and cousin ask me about my choices, after being more active about my sustainable efforts on Instagram – and I thought they were the least-likely people to be inquisitive.
Everyday is a struggle. I try to tell myself: Sustainability is not hard. You just have to get creative.
The rest, I am still working on.
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