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Happy New Year and oh how excited I am for the prospect of breaking old habits and setting new goals. All seems like a recipe for success if you ask me! I know many decide to make a change in fitness or healthy lifestyle choices. Some decide to break up with old, bad habits like smoking. Some decide to be more adventurous or studious. But I hope you also consider making a resolution to be better for our planet by making small, but impactful changes in your everyday routine.
IDEAS
Make a conscious decision about reducing your use of single-use plastics
Commit to recycling in your home, workspace, office, school, and recreational areas
Use a reusable coffee mug, water bottle, food containers, straws, utensils, and shopping bags. **BIG TIME WINNER**
Turn off lights when you leave a room and unplug unused appliances or tech when not in use (phone chargers, computers, toasters, surge protects for TVs, etc)
Turn off the water when brushing your teeth
Switch to showers over baths and make sure you practice shorter showers
Switch to LED light bulbs in your home, workspace, school, etc - this will also save on your energy bill!
Use your dishwasher, dryer, and washing machine in the evenings, using COLD water
EXTRA CREDIT IDEAS
Reuse your coffee grinds
Switch to reusable cloth napkins for all meals
Cancel all the junk mail and recycle what comes in
Start composting
Plant more flowers, trees, and bushes - help save the pollinators!
Walk more to places instead of driving, or consider biking, public transportation, or even carpooling
Thrift shop and donate gently used items/clothing for someone else to upcycle
Upcycling what's in your closet instead of buying new clothes quite as often. Refuse to shop fast fashion at least once a week, or 2x a month.
Shop local for groceries, fruits, veggies, and protein
You don't have to set out to accomplish this entire list but at least pick a few to focus on where you develop a better habit. THEN, add in some more. Over time, you'll start to become a better superhero to help #savetheworld!
What did you do last year that was a WIN for our planet? Celebrate those moments and add to your shelf of accomplishments. You can even participate in a community clean up, or pick up litter while you're out running errands, walking through your subdivision, playing out at the parks, or even around your home or office. These also make a big difference because it prevents litter from harming wildlife.
Spring is knocking on the door and I cannot wait to plant ALL THE THINGS! I love putting nice plants and flowers in the ground to help the pollinators, clean the air, and add beauty to the world around us. I love getting flowers that attract hummingbirds and those that are strong because when I'm gone for the summer, they have to survive my husband caring for them. (JK! He does a great job!) I also love seeing all the new wildlife from bunnies, duckies, fawns, baby birds, and more. I leave some grass clippings, cotton, lint from the dryer, and other carefully planned items in a little bowl so the birds can take what they need to build a nest. We take care that the wind doesn't blow the items away causing litter to go everywhere.
See? Training to become a superhero doesn't have to be time-consuming or hard. Small steps lead to big changes, all to help Save the World!