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The World Is Changing And I Can't Keep Up

The World Is Changing And I Can't Keep Up

Posted on: Wednesday 18 December 2019


I have some confessions to make; sometimes I shop in Primark, my KeepCup has been hibernating in my locker at work for at least three months and I still haven't got round to buying a new reusable water bottle after my old one broke. Oh and occasionally I even forget to take my own bag to the supermarket and end up having to buy a plastic one.

The world is changing and certainly for the better; sustainable living has zoomed to the forefront of modern culture, meaning we're all being more mindful of our waste, less frivolous with our purchases and hopefully kinder to our planet. But boy is it changing fast.

It seems that in the space of a year (I know it's longer than that before anyone jumps down my throat, but humour my exaggeration for the point of this post thank you) we're suddenly all supposed to be zero-waste, cruelty-free vegans and if we're not, well we should feel pretty damn awful about it.

Don't get me wrong, obviously I'm 100% behind living a more sustainable life; I'm already vegetarian and cruelty-free and realistically I'm doing the best I can to live more ethically. But it still doesn't feel like enough. It doesn't feel like enough because there's always something new I should be doing, something I should be putting in my washing machine to stop plastic from my clothes reaching the sea or a new faraway shop I should be visiting so I can put all my pasta in jars instead of buying it in bags (to be fair I was totally up for the latter until wise Matthew pointed out it would probably use so much petrol to get there it wouldn't be doing the environment much good anyway).

With all this change comes a huge mountain of guilt. It's almost embedded in the human way of thinking isn't it? If we can't do absolutely everything then we're never doing enough.

I can barely complete my own to-do list for the day, never mind complete the to-do list for saving the planet.

Answers on a postcard?

I'd like to hope that despite not doing absolutely everything, the fact that I am doing something counts for, well, something. One thing I've learnt this year is I definitely need to stop beating myself up so much (although saying that and doing it are two rather separate things aren't they?)

Here's to everyone who also can't quite keep up with sustainable living, but are trying their damn best.

Amy x

Comments

  1. Once I read that it's better to have thousands of imperfect people who live a sustainable lifestyle than a few perfect ones, and it's ok if sometimes we get off the track, we still have changed our mind and ndsets and that's the most important thing to do.

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    1. That's such a great way to look at it and so true! x

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  2. Great post, I feel like this too. I'm trying so hard with the food, shopping less, plastic but never feel like it's enough. The way I look at it is if you are trying your best its good enough as some people don't do anything at all.

    Wishing you a great time over the festive season.

    Gemma x
    www.jacquardflower.uk

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    1. Yes every little helps! Hope you had a fab Christmas and new year Gemma :) xx

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  3. This is so relatable!! I always feel like I am not doing enough to help the environment but also it is so hard to keep on top of everything.

    http://www.theemeralddove.co.uk

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    1. It's so tricky isn't it! Every little helps though :) x

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  4. I think most people would be able to relate to this! Don't worry, you're not alone :) Online especially there can be a tremendous amount of pressure to adhere to the current guidelines of 'best practice' and more and more this includes sustainability. It's something that will come about gradually for both you and me, I've no doubt - so no more guilt, Amy! :)

    aglassofice.com x

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    1. Amen to that! It's a tricky one especially with the online pressure but at least we're doing something :) x

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  5. Love that coat on you! I am trying to shop better - Oxfam and another charity rank the Australian stores on how ethical they are which has changed the ones I frequent, but I'm aware I probably shop more than most, although I am trying to stop that! A keep cup is an easy thing for me to do but sometimes I forget to bring it - but think about all the times I have brought it instead!

    It's better if we all make a few small changes rather than try everything all at once - we will be more likely to stick with it and those small changes add up over time! i never forget my green bags now - and if I do, they are only in the car so not too far away!

    Hope you had a merry Christmas :) We had a great time with family and so much good food! Have a happy new year :)

    Away From Blue

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    1. Ah that's good I'll see if Oxfam have done that for the UK too! Happy new year lovely :) xx

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  6. Loved this post Amy! I feel the exact same, I try to do my bit but I feel like it's never enough. I think as long as we all try and make small changes, then it's better than doing nothing at all, right?

    hannahsplace.me.uk

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    1. It's definitely great that we're doing something! x

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