2019 is the year for me. I am finally taking sustainability as seriously as I should’ve the last few years. This is my resolution for the year – step it up and be better to our earth. For the last few years, I’ve set sustainability goals on Earth Day, but this year it’s going to be a big focus on For the Love of Wanderlust on so much more than just April 22nd.
I try to do better and know a lot of simple things that help reduce waste or promote recycling, and then I get lazy. Truly, that’s all it is. It’s inconvenient for me to carry my reusable bag back to my car after I unpack it, so then I forget it. I forget to tell the server at a restaurant not to put a straw in my drink. They’re all simple steps, but because they’re so small, it’s easy to forget and it’s easy to get lazy. 2019 is the year that this is changing and I’m going to use y’all to help keep me accountable.
MY JOURNEY TO SUSTAINABILITY
I’m starting a new series called, you guessed it, ‘My Journey to Sustainability’. Each month I plan to share a post that is sustainability-focused, but covering a specific topic, sharing my fails and sharing my successes. I’m also going to share some of my favorite sustainable brands and products (I’m working with some amazing brands for next month’s post). I’m so looking forward to this series because these are changes that can be made not only to your everyday lives, but travels as well! We love exploring this earth and I’m looking forward to doing an even better job at taking car of it.
MY INDIVIDUAL SUSTAINABILITY GOALS FOR 2019
⋙ CUT BACK ON MY SINGLE-USE PLASTICS – I work at this daily and somedays I’m on my game. Other days, not so much. However, already in 2019 I’ve cut that back, a lot. I bring my reusable cups places. I don’t take to-go cups when I eat in and I remember to tell my server, “no straw, please.”
⋙ MONTHLY CLEANUPS – The last few Earth Days Matt and I have gone to a local green space to pick up trash from trails. In 2019 I’m going to do this at least once a month – I’ve gotta get on this for January – only three days left to do it!
⋙ EAT VEGETARIAN AT LEAST FOUR MEALS A WEEK – Matt and I both love vegetarian recipes. I have gone back and forth on vegetarianism multiple times for multiple reasons. One of those reasons, though, is the environmental impact that eating animals has on the environment.
⋙ RECYCLE, REUSE, UPCYCLE – It takes a lot of intention for us to recycle. We currently live outside the city limits and recycling isn’t an option with our trash service. So, it takes planning and a decent amount of time for us to do this. However, I’m going to be more intentional, and I already have been working on that. I want to try to reuse things where I can because our recyclables aren’t all being recycled. I also love crafting and making gifts, so I’m looking forward to finding alternative uses for things as well.
I’m so looking forward to checking back in on this each month and as a sneak preview for what’s coming in February’s Journey to Sustainability post, I’m going to show off some amazing brands + products that focus on sustainability and/or giving back. I can’t wait to continue this journey and I hope that I can inspire others to take this journey and lean on you guys for tips and encouragement as we continue this journey.
No Comments