I trust that all of you are coping well at home. If you are struggling with being cooped up at home, know that you are not alone. If there is anything we can do for you, please feel free to send us a message.
While it is common to hear terminology such as zero waste, eco-friendliness, and sustainable living being thrown around these days, what do they truly mean? For starters, I do not think it represents a throwback into the Stone Age where one would live off the land. Nor is it feasible to eliminate the usage of plastic if one is to study the effects of a global supply chain.
On a personal level, it boils down to a few key elements. Namely minimalism, conscientious purchasing habits, and taking care of our environment. It is so simple that anyone can follow and reap the benefits for themselves. The challenge comes from rewiring your old behavior and this requires effort.
Let us start with minimalism. At its core, it is about identifying what your needs and wants are. If you have moved house before, you’ve probably been amazed by the tonnes of stuff that you’ve hoarded over the years. You can probably identify items that are rarely used and may not even have any idea why it was there in the first place.
This happens to the majority and sadly, it is a reflection on the level of consumption our society has indulged in. Perhaps during this lockdown period, one could take the time to reflect on what is essential. You will be surprised how much of it is unnecessary. If you're willing to take action, you can certainly contribute to a greener society and a happier bank account.
So how do you curb impulse buying then? If you happen to browse items on Amazon or in physical stores, simply ask yourself if it is necessary. If it is irresistible, why not make the purchase 3 days later? Surely delaying a purchase for 3 days will not cause any major upheaval in your life… Try it out and you can send me a message if it works for you. It certainly does for me.
The next thing you can do is to evaluate your habits at home. Is food being wasted unnecessarily every meal? Do fruits or bread go wasted before they were consumed? Are electronic devices turned on even though no one is using them? Are you taking a bath rather than a shower? Do you switch off the lights and appliances when leaving your home? It takes a certain awareness before people are able to make adjustments to their environment. Perhaps you can start by listing all these tips down on a post-it note and stick it near your switches to remind you.
These small acts are important because they stay with us for life and it adds up. By doing so, you can help to reduce energy consumption and in effect, reduce global warming. By reducing your carbon footprint, you are saving on utility bills as well. Your grandmother will probably give you a kiss on your cheek and a toothless grin for that. 😊