Feeling Overwhelmed on Your Low-Waste Journey? Read this.

It can be so overwhelming to embark on this journey of low-waste living. Truly, I know.

I'm here to tell you to take a deep breath.

     Unfollow those accounts that make you feel like you're never doing enough. Even if they mean well, their message is muddied by guilt. This is an altruistic journey rooted in love, unconditional love for our fellow man and Earth, and we don't need anyone breathing down our neck or looking down their nose.

     If it's your own anxiety and guilt leading you to overwhelm, spend some time outside, and immerse yourself in the rhythms of nature. See that she does not rush, but rather she moves in steady, diligent cycles.

     Start with routines and objects that make the most sense for your household's needs, and phase out single-use or wasteful items as your budget and mental space allows. For easy and impactful low-waste swaps, check out this blog post.

Do not strive for perfection.

     We're abandoning perfectionism on this journey. Do what you can with what you have, and within your capabilities. The whole point is to do your best, not THE best.

When in doubt, look to our roots.

     How did our elders live before plastic grocery bags, throw-away water bottles, curbside 'recycling', or even paper plates? Remember that our collective's period of time spent being incredibly wasteful is a mere blip in time compared to humanity's time spent in subsistence, taking only what we need. Living mindfully is in our blood; all you have to do is take one step.

We are in this together.

-Courtney