Dear I Like Green, Wanting to live more sustainably? That right there tells me you’re paying attention. And you know what? That’s the first and most important step, just caring. Now, let’s take that big, overwhelming cloud you’re feeling and break it down into something you can hold in the palm of your hand. Sustainable living doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
You don’t have to live off-grid in a yurt eating only homegrown kale to make a difference. We get fed this all-or-nothing idea that, unless we’re raising chickens in the backyard and sewing our own clothes out of hemp, we’re failing Mother Earth. Hogwash. Real change comes from real people doing something, not everything— all the time.
So let’s get started with baby steps. Think of sustainability like building a new habit. You don’t wake up one day and run a marathon. You start by walking around the block in your sneakers. Same goes here.
Look around your home, your routines, your spending. What’s one area that stands out to you as a little wasteful or a little more convenient than conscious? Is it food waste? Plastic use? Energy consumption? Pick one. You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight, just take the next right step.
For instance, are you tossing a lot of leftovers? Start meal planning or freezing portions. Buying plastic water bottles? Invest in a reusable one. Still using those grocery store plastic bags? Time for a reusable tote in the trunk of your car. Tiny shifts, big ripples.
This one’s a biggie, and it might surprise you: you don’t have to buy new eco-products to be sustainable. In fact, using what you already own is more sustainable. Before you go out and buy bamboo toothbrushes and organic cotton everything, look around. Got five old t-shirts? Turn them into rags instead of buying paper towels.
No, I’m not about to tell you to go full vegan unless you want to. But even small food choices matter. Eating less meat and more plants even one or two days a week makes a huge difference. Try Meatless Mondays. Eat seasonally when you can. Support local farmers if you’ve got a market nearby. Compost if you’re able; even a little countertop bin for food scraps can help.
Oh, and remember: eating the food you buy (instead of tossing it) is a powerful act of sustainability
This one’s easier than you think. Most of us have been convinced we need an army of specialized cleaners under our sink. You don’t. Good old vinegar, baking soda, lemon, and Castile soap can clean just about anything. Making your own cleaner doesn’t require a lab coat, just a mason jar and a little curiosity.
Fewer chemicals in your home, less packaging waste, and less money spent. Win, win, win.
We’ve all heard “reduce, reuse, recycle,” but most of us skip right to the recycling part. Here’s the truth: recycling is the last resort, not the first. It’s better to not create the waste in the first place.
That might mean saying no to freebies you don’t need, unsubscribing from junk mail, or bringing your own container to restaurants for leftovers.
It’s less glamorous than sorting bins, but oh, it’s effective.
Don’t let this journey become another stick to beat yourself with. This is not about perfection. You will still throw things away. You will still use plastic sometimes. You will still buy something from Amazon on a Tuesday night because life happens.
But you are also making changes, becoming aware, and doing better as you learn more. That’s what matters.
Sustainability gets easier, and more fun, when you do it with others. Swap ideas, recipes, or just share a little encouragement. Maybe you join a local sustainability group. Maybe you start one. Or maybe you and your best friend just hold each other accountable for bringing reusable cups to the coffee shop. That’s community too.
You’re not going to save the planet alone. But you are going to influence the people around you, change your own habits, and build a more mindful, intentional life in the process. The planet needs more people like you, people who care, who try, and who keep walking the path even when it feels overwhelming.
So take a breath. Pick one thing. Start there. And remember, little by little, it becomes a lifestyle.
Love, Aunt B
If you would like to send Aunt B a question please email your question to news@ forneymessenger. com.
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