Easy Tricks: Making Changes

Fundamentally people care.

We’re fixers, we want to make things better for our friends and for our futures, but that desire to do good doesn't always translate into action. We are constantly told how many of our everyday habits are bringing about social and environmental damage so we feel bad and tell ourselves that next time we’ll do it differently but then we never follow through with what we’ve said we were going to do.

So how do we start caring enough to put in the effort?

I believe that lots of small changes is the best way to change damaging habits. By starting small and working upwards to more substantial change you’re less like to burn out and give up completely.

Here are a few of my tips and tricks for starting to live more ethically and more sustainably

1. Do research, if you generally care about what you’re doing you are more likely to stick to it. For example, if you care about workers rights and fairtrade read into the treatment of workers and the conditions they work in around the world. Then find brands whos ethos matches your own and invest in them. If you can't find one go for second hand or charity shops as that way you are not directly supporting the unethical practises of many of the big brands, also in the case of charity shops you will be supporting a good cause. For example, Oxfam or Scope.

2. Bring your own, bringing your own cups, bottles, straws and cutlery can really help to reduce the amount of single use plastics that you use and can also save you money. Many coffee shops, including the big chains will give you a reduction on their normal price if you bring your own making it more financially viable. If you're worried about this making a mess in your bag you can either make or buy another little bag to keep them separate and your bag clean.

3. Refuse what you don’t need. It's easier said than done, but by being able to refuse what you don't want and don't need you are reducing what would have eventually just become waste, as well as showing brands that you value actual quality, fairness and good practise over freebies and fads. Refusing the unnecessary was placed at the top of the zero waste pyramid by Bea Johnson in her book and blog Zero Waste Home which also has a great article for those interested in Zero Waste living.
   
4. Value what you already have. Take a look at your belongs, the ones you love, used to love and the ones which you've completely forgot you had. Do you have more than you realised? Often we get so caught up on looking for the next and the new that we forget to look back and realise how much we already have. Instead of buying new or more fall back in love with something you already have, use the joy and the memories you make to give it real value. Maybe its a shirt you've only worn a few times or a notebook where you only used half the pages, whatever it is give it a new chance at life before you head back to the shops.

We can learn so many tips and tricks from each other so please share any other ideas or thoughts on the ways you think we can reduce our consumerist tendencies, especially in this age of advertisement and ‘improvement’. Tasha xx