This World is Whack

I’m not sure if social media marketing is been creepy and sending a whole heap of tree-hugging, animal activist, peace on earth groups and mantras to my accounts and side bars of late or if it truly is becoming a more talked about, read about, acted upon topic. I certainly hope it’s the second for more reason then one. But, either way, something seems to be a-changing.

Every day I find myself reading (maybe been unemployed currently should be added to those options above also) about world wide equality, saving the snow leopard, Rhino week, global warming, the Ebola epidemic in Africa etcetera, and today was this…

So How Fucked Are We

Now I like to think I’m a pretty do-gooder kinda gal. In fact I’m quite sure some people regard me as a more hippie trippy character but this is one thing I hate to admit I suck at. I quite like to jump on the band wagon, spread the word of better practice and believe I’m doing my bit but at the end of the day there’s a hell of a lot more I could be doing. Yesh I don’t even know how to recycle properly. It’s sad but true! I’m quite embarrassed to admit it! James is constantly pulling things out of the wrong recycle bin as I biff it in a semi confused, semi pretending I know fashion or picking something out of the regular bin that can be recycled and all I really do is give a little shurg and an “oops”.

I like to blame it on other reasons; “if I had my own house I would have a scrap bucket, and environmentally friendly appliances. I really want my own chickens and would LOVE to grow all my own vegetables. But I live with other people, I have no jurisdiction over what toilet paper we use, I cant make people turn their lights off” or “but I’ll re-use this bottled water container”, “ I cant afford to buy those cleaning products/clothes/alternatives” and “I NEED new clothes and those shoes are so cute.” I also like to tell myself that there are much worse people then me in this department.

It is time for a change. Which is why I am admitting to my rather disgusting ways and challenging you to do the same. You don’t need to write about it and bore everyone like I am, but you could make a mental note (or physical one, list writing is fun!) of the things you do currently and all the things you can do more of. Having a little reflection time on your input to this global issue and your effect on the world is something we should all do. I’m sure we all mentally assess how we are doing at work, or our gym regime so why not take into account the bigger picture too. You might surprise yourself, maybe your already fantastic without even knowing it and you can pat yourself on the back.

 I know what you are thinking too, that you’d rather not think about it, you don’t want to know, admit or confront your crappy efforts, it wont help, I’d rather sit and watch the Kardasians to feel better about myself. But seriously I challenge you.

Here’s mine; I have added every little thing that I think helps the cause, because at the end of the day, as this great website suggests, every little thing DOES help!

•         I live a relatively vegan lifestyle. I don’t eat meat or dairy products and I keep my eggs free       range
•        I am pretty good at saying no to plastic bags, combing buys into one bag if needed, or putting them in my over sized hand bag or backpack
•         I’ve recently started biking (and will be biking to work as of next week) to save on transport money, time and get some exercise. But it helps a heap with my carbon foot print too and that feels pretty good. 
•         I like to shop vintage and second hand. I love finding great cheap finds at op shops and when my draws are busting full I make sure I take everything unwanted to an op shop.
•         I like re-using bags, brown paper ones will be used to death.
•         I love my keep-cup.
•         When I can I do grow my own herbs and veges
•         I like to walk
•         I buy organic foods when I can
•         I turn off lights, t.v.s etc (usually)
•         I don’t use vege/fruit bags at the supermarket
•         I usually use a cold wash

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Things I am going to do better:

•         I’m going to find a local vegetable market I can hit up in the weekends. London is sure to be a great place for it, the food will be so much tastier, healthier and hopefully cheaper, plus it seems like a cute idea and getting in the habit of eating seasonally is great practice.
•         I’m going to ensure I take bags to the supermarket each time and say NO to plastic bags ALL the time.
•         I’m going to try try try to stop been such a big consumer, get a little more minimalistic on it. This talk by ‘The Minimalists’ I am going to soon should help a lot with those guilt’s.
•          I’m going to get a clue about recycling and actually use them properly.
•         I’m going to buy more plastic containers for the kitchen in an attempt to ditch the gladwrap

I know it can be an overwhelming topic and you can feel pretty small in the scheme of making a change. I definitely feel out of my league on these kind of topics. But if we all pull together, in the same way we are being useless idiots then there’s hope yet. Its time to start owning our decisions and consequences. No one is asking you to do anything radical like sell your car or ditch large food distributers  (although wouldn’t it be awesome!?). You are been asked to help yourself and the beautiful world around you by holding your groceries or flicking off a switch. I sure do hope people can be smart enough soon.