Stepping Into Sustainability

Sustainable. The word "sustainable", according to Dictionary.com, is an adjective defined as, "able to be maintained at a certain rate or level". "Invenstopedia" describes the idea of sustainability as, "focusing on the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs". That's it. Plain and simple. Now that we know the definition of sustainability, shouldn't we all inherently want to strive for this? To ensure that our future generations will be able to thrive on this Earth we left them?

We have become too attached to this idea of convenience in our everyday lives. K-cup pods, fast food...*PLASTIC*. Our society has become so ingrained in these simple conveniences, that many of us have lost the ability to appreciate the beauty in living a self-sufficient and creative life. At the end of the day, these two ideals are what sustainability is bonded to. Self-sufficiency and creativity. The path to living a more sustainable life is filled with many different avenues, side streets, and bumps along the way (and there will be bumps!). The best thing you can do, is TRY. Try to knock one habit at a time.

Now, with this guide, I'm going to be taking a little different approach. Instead of just providing you with my favorite tips and tricks (which I will also do), I'm going to help guide you into the mindset of sustainability and the will behind the way.

With that said..let's get SUSTAINABLE!

First, I encourage you to find your passion. Find something that really motivates you to start this journey and to bring you back when you feel you've gone off track. For me, it's the ocean and all of it's inhabitants. When I think about wanting to make the world a better place, I reminisce on fish foraging on a coral reef, spinner dolphins bow riding, humpback whales mouth's expanding to the size of a small pool to engulf a school of sand lance, and so many more wonders of the sea. We could all use a little passion in our lives. What's yours?

After you've identified your passion and "reason for the season". Start making a list of the habits you want to change first. Do not, I repeat DO NOT, try to tackle everything at once. You WILL become overwhelmed and want to quit. Instead, make a short list of daily or weekly habits you want to change first. I, and I think a lot of people, started with refusing plastic bags at the grocery store. This is such a simple and impactful first move. Pick a few fun cloth bags that you like (I love buying reusable bags from places I visit!) and keep them, well, everywhere! Stash a couple in your car, in your room, I sometimes keep them on top of the fridge. Just make them visible, and you'll be much less likely to forget them. Remember, it takes thirty days to break a habit and once you've gotten used to "skipping the plastic bag", you won't want to go back! You can also purchase smaller cloth bags for produce instead of using the plastic produce bags.

Some other really simple switches include:

1) Purchasing a reusable water bottle (holla at ya Hydroflask!)

2) Switching to a bamboo toothbrush

3) Carpooling/biking/walking when you can

4) Exchanging clothes with friends instead of always buying new

5) BUY LOCAL GOODS

When you've mastered the simple stuff, it's time to get creative!

First, let me start off by saying that recycling is a great habit to get into, HOWEVER, recycling is a lot trickier than most people realize. This takes research, time, and cleanliness. You can't throw just anything into the recycling bin. Before recycling, please research your cities rules and guidelines for acceptable recycled materials. And remember, recycled goods must be CLEAN and STICKER/LABEL free. Throwing unwanted items into the recycling can result in the entire bin being trashed.

This leads me to the "reduce and reuse" philosophy. Instead of relying on recycling for sustainability, try to adjust the way you buy things as a consumer. When looking for a product, pay attention to the packaging. Ask yourself, "Can I reuse this container for something after this product is finished?". Also, pay attention to what's IN your products. You can read this article for more information one of the hottest topics in conservation today: palm oil. It's our job to become more informed and responsible consumers.

If you want to crank your sustainability up a notch, try DIY! It's so easy to go out and buy new products, but today, there is a plethora of DIY recipes for things like toothpaste, bug spray, deodorants, cleaners....even mascara! Check out this handy dandy Pinterest page for a plethora of homemade products.

Finally, and I can't stress this enough, SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY. Not only does supporting your community reduce your carbon footprint, but it's also a great way to ensure your neighbors, friends, families, and future generations will have a reliable, efficient economy. The best ways to support your community through sustainability include:

1) Shopping for produce at your local farmer's market or co-op

2) Supporting local artists and small businesses for gifts, etc.

3) Plan/participate in beach or park clean-ups

4) Be informed and participate in voting for local officials

5) SPEAK UP FOR CHANGE!

6) Educate others on what you've learned from your journey

7) When traveling, research and support legitimate eco-tourism and local goods

8) Support sustainable fisheries

At the end of the day, it's all of the little things combined that are going to make the biggest differences. So, find your passion, live simply, and spread the word because,

"in the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught" - Baba Dioum

Want to start your sustainability journey IMMEDIATELY? Check out these awesome resources and get started NOW!

1) Eco and Beyond

2) Surfrider

3) Wellness Mama

4) Deliciously Ella

5) Plastic Pollution Coalition