Why Even Super-Busy Individuals Can Live Sustainably
Sustainability can seem like a nice luxury on the surface, but for many people, it requires an extra effort. Such a perception isn’t necessarily wrong, it takes more time to separate your recyclables, to donate your old clothes, to grow your own food, and to limit your water usage. You have to live with the intent to benefit from these practices.
For this reason, many people might think that if they live a super busy life, maybe working two jobs, maybe raising a family and working a job, or just dealing with the unpredictable nature of life, expending this effort isn’t possible.
As sustainability advocates, we have to accept some hard truths. Some practices simply aren’t going to be for everyone. For example, we wouldn’t force veganism because for some people meat and dairy is an important part of their diet and for some countries meat and dairy production is essential for their economic health. However, reducing overall consumption of meat and dairy may be a more realistic option and still beneficial to the environment.
Improvements can always be made and living more sustainably, becomes a matter of relativity than anything else. So, let’s consider how even those with intensive sustainability needs can live with intention, and benefit as a result.
Sustainability Tools & Services
The great thing is that you don’t have to invent every single sustainability effort yourself! Sometimes, voting with your time and wallet is enough. From using platforms like Ecosia to plant trees through your online searches, to pay for more sustainable products in our everyday lives (using refillable soap containers can help reduce plastic waste, for example, and benefit from non-toxic chemical solutions), you showcase the ability to remain sustainable without taking time from your schedule.
Consider Eco-Friendly Means Of Saving Money
Even those with busy schedules tend to find time to save money when they can, be that heading to the local grocer instead of eating takeout food or using reusable cups and water bottles instead of disposable. In these circumstances, however, you might find that additional practices can naturally slot into your daily habits. The use of home sewing or embroidery machines can help you repair and decorate your clothes as needed, helping you keep older clothes fresh and appealing for longer, lessening your reliance on fast fashion or throwing out acceptable garments.
Scale Sustainability With Your Lifestyle
Sometimes, all you have to do is scale. Maybe you’ve decided to take a work from home job, meaning that now you won’t need a work car to get from A to B and you and your partner can share one car. One less car on the road is certainly a sustainable approach from your vantage point. Maybe you come into a bonus thanks to your hard work and can upgrade to a more sustainable hybrid or electric car. Or, perhaps you could just donate to a cause you find appealing as part of a tax write-off, one that helps benefit environmental efforts in your local area. Again, sustainability doesn’t always mean getting your hands dirty yourself.
With this advice, we hope you can see how even super-busy individuals can live sustainably, making marginal improvements where they make sense to you. With everyone doing something sustainable, collectively we can make a significant difference to the health of our planet.
