things i STOPPED doing as an imperfect environmentalist
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ย. 2024
- there are UNLIMITED ways to live more sustainably and you absolutely do not have to do it all - so here are a handful of things I decided are NOT for me as an imperfect environmentalist.
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"Do your best and advocate for the rest" I absolutely LOVE that quote!
Sounds like you shifted from 'do your best even though it makes you miserable' to do your best while you live a happy life. Yes to showcasing us sustainable people aren't joyless grumps who hate on 'normal people'.
Until standard drug store antiperspirants are available in cardboard packaging, I have to keep to my plastic encased antiperspirant. I can’t stand natural deodorants. I did once DIY one that worked well, but it made my underarms discoloured. Back in the day I also tried to replace shampoo and face wash with BAKING SODA. It was so awful for my hair and skin. I’ve now found solid shampoo, conditioners, and face soap that come in less packaging and work well for me.
Same! I'm surprised they haven't done this yet, but the natural ones just do not work for me, and NO ONE just has regular formula without plastic. I'll keep looking!
@@MsBigact I’m finally starting to see some sun screen drug store brands in cardboard packaging, but never the antiperspirants! I once emailed the company of my favourite brand and they responded with a word salad about how recyclable (or not) the plastic is - basically the situation where maybe if you take it to some specialized facility it MIGHT be recyclable. But my ADHD brain just kind of grinds to a halt thinking about how difficult and annoying that would be.
You can get refills!
@@davidb9806of Lady Speedstick powder fresh?
this!
As someone who discovered you in your dumpster dive era, i love hearing about your own journey over the years of what works and doesnt work for you and why
Totally read dumpster dive era as dumpster diva era. And I’m like yaaas new name for being a dumpster diver. Dumpster diva!!
During the pandemic, I got into extreme black and white thinking when it came to environmentalism. Now I try to have grace and empathy lead beliefs with environmentalism. It feels much better.
I also stopped coloring my hair for environmental reasons and as silly as it sounds, my self esteem definitely dropped. Started coloring it again a few months ago at a salon that is pretty conscious and don't regret it at all!! I feel like myself again!
I totally get this. During Covid, my gray started coming in and it really affected my self esteem. Fortunately, my stepdaughter is a hairdresser and was able to get salon color for me to use at home. Didn't look great, but at least it didn't turn totally gray. I discovered that self esteem is important, even when I was mostly staying in. I do use ethical hair products as much as I can.
I agree! I dyed my hair for the first time in January and I don't think I could go back fully to my natural colour.
I just get the ends done/balayage so I don't have to get root touch ups and I can just go as infrequently as I want to.
What do you look for in a conscious salon? Obviously foils are single use products but is there any way that a salon can lessen their impact that I can look for?
Never mind just got to the section of the video lmao.
I see that your hair is red in your little pfp. Have you ever considered natural henna? Obviously totally okay to dye your hair but I’ve been doing henna for years and everyone assumes it’s my natural hair color and it looks so vibrant. Make sure you get one with no additives though so it’s 100% natural and non- damaging.
When I get the chance to go to a local farmers market, which isn't often 😔 I bring my own bags. I always give the farmers back their little plastic baskets. It doesn't save them much, but they get to reuse them and I don't have to take them home.
That’s such a lovely idea!!
Just FYI!! Spray sunscreens are not nearly as effective as creams, they don’t give you enough coverage. Lab Muffin Beauty Science did some extensive testing recently if you want more info on her YT
You have to take into consideration convenience. I try to take care of my parents skin (skin cancer heavily runs in my family) and they're stubborn and wont take the time to put on cream sunscreen. HOWEVER the spray kind is so quick, they do it. If I'm out in the sun for a couple hours I'll use creams myself, but I even get tired of that, and if I am going to be spending the entire day or days outside I choose spray because I KNOW my butt will get exhausted with reapplying and postpone it when I need to reapply. But knowing spraying takes a moment, I'll always reapply at the right time. I personally rather choose reapplying than never applying because we have to take into consideration the human psyche and our finite amount of willpower/energy.
I used to work at Hot Topic and I almost got fired for donating items that were supposed to be destroyed. After they found out I was taking those items to the youth shelter they never let me "dispose" of the unsold items again.
I used to be a perfectionist about being an environmentalist and it did serious damage to my mental health. For like a year my OCD was focused on the life cycle of products and I barely did anything at all. I wasn't a fun person to be around either because I was telling everyone how terrible everything is and people stopped coming around. Thankfully that bought of OCD has passed.
i recently decided to cut out shortform content and instead watch (or rather listen to while i do errands) something productive, interesting, and relevant to my life. this was the perfect balance of those things for me and i really enjoyed it! subscribed :)
Same! I cut out shortform content. I can see so many negative effects in people who consume shortform content and would rather not experience that.
Oh man this one really resonated with me! I'm not quite sure how to explain this, but the culture in the environmental movement of obsessively denying ourselves things, aiming for perfection and punishing ourselves when we inevitably failed felt eerily similar to anor*xia. I feel like the endless pedantic rules were satisfying the darkest parts of me, whereas focusing instead on community work and volunteering has nourished my soul! 🙏
Covid really still had had a lasting effect on the things we can do around here. A lot of places no longer do your own containers and other things like that.
That's too bad. Where I live in Ohio, most restaurants/coffee shops permit me to use my own container. None have said no, so I'm lucky. Hopefully, your area will eventually go back to allowing it.
Yes, our bakery is one of the shops that stopped selling without paper bag 😢
I got into the environmentalism community around 2015-16 and absolutely fell into a lot of the things that were popular at the time. By about 2018, I had gotten my kitchen to be almost completely plastic free, but in 2019 I was going through some difficult things and did not have the energy to make everything from scratch, so I had to make myself buy food in plastic because my health took priority. I have since moved to a place without regular access to bulk stores, so my groceries have a lot of plastic these days, but that doesn't mean I ignore sustainability completely when shopping. On the hair/beauty, I remain very minimalist in my body care products, and I still DIY my own lotion/conditioner. I do have chemical treatments done on my hair a couple/few times a year, but on a daily basis I do not use styling products or anything. It's been so nice to grow with the movement and see everyone find what practices are right for them, and remain flexible to changes over time. The strictness and guilt before was so unhealthy!
As someone who has been on this journey for 10+ years and has a history of perfectionism/anxiety/disordered eating, this was so freeing and refreshing to watch! I have bought secondhand for years now and am plant-based with a priority to buy local produce and from small businesses. Thank you for talking about how you can be an imperfect environmentalist and still make an impact. It's as important to be kind to ourselves as much as we want to be kind to the environment.
So true about bulk stores! They either don’t have enough options for everyday items or they close :( I’ve also seen that a lot of the items don’t sell quickly enough and they your buying things that are older and more likely to have mold etc.
Thank you so much, Shelbi. In participating in Plastic Free July, I've been taking it way too literally and trying to avoid ALL plastic, including 99% of food packaging, and it's taken a toll on my mental and physical health. I lost weight I didn't need to or want to because my options are limited as someone without a lot of time or money... I appreciate the reminder that the point is to vote with your dollar, not to get lost in the trash jar/zero waste mentality. I feel excited and ready to rework my priorities to be a healthy environmentalist and to advocate for better things in my community. 💚
Yes, please be kind to yourself and remember that it isn't your fault that most of what's around us is covered in/made with plastic. Most of us are a product of our environment and have to work within the structures we are provided.
I also feel that I’ve leaned in to using the few products that I know I will use till they are finished and I love enough to repurchase. Especially with hair and skin care, I always tried to get the most sustainable thing and often I’d end up with a bunch of products that didn’t like and couldn’t use up. Now I have a small group of products that I love and the brands aren’t the worst but maybe not the best. But I recycle the packaging and use every drop of products and I just don’t stress anymore.
If you happen to have a pet rabbit, their poop is safe to compost as usual since they're herbivores. If you use wood pellet or paper litter, you can just dump the whole box on the pile. 😊
Hi. I raise rabbits for meat. They're not herbivores in the wild they hunt snails and worms and they do have safe manure but herbivorism is not why they give cold manure, other (true) herbivores like cows and horses have hot manure that needs to be composted
I had house rabbits and collected their poop for my garden! 🪴
Same if you have fish or turtles. Pour that tank water on your plants. They LOVE it!
I still buy refills for my soaps/cleaning supplies/etc. There's a little shop in my city that's been going strong for 5+ years :D The fact that it's right by a train station is definitely helping it succeed. They also share the floor space with a record shop.
thank you so much for making this video❤ i have autism which makes me very particular about my diet, and i always feel a bad for buying certain foods in plastic. but i’m trying to focus on the areas where i am able to make a difference, like composting with my local garden, buying second hand, and reducing impulse purchases❤
Re the plastic packaging on fresh fruit, my local supermarket here in the UK has started selling fruit in cardboard containers with a clear plastic film lid. Still not perfect, but definitely a huge reduction in plastic waste!
Hey Shelby, just wanted to flag on the sunscreen issue, i went through a similar journey as an environmentalist from Queensland, Australia, the skin cancer capital of the world.
Just wanted to flag that there have been studies that spray sunscreen is significantly less effective than the cream type ones. Just in case you weren't aware 😊. Great video and have a great day!
Hey!! I’m also from there too! What sunscreen do you typically use haha? It is scary how common skin cancer is here
@@Matchamushi I tend to use the surf lifesaving one. it seems to be the best one for actual sunscreen and seems to have the right reef-safe qualifications. It is in plastic, but I tend to buy the larger bulk ones so that it's less plastic overall. We also go to the beach a lot in the summer.
I just discovered you and I am making a commitment to learn to buy less and go zero waste as much as possible now! I want everyone to stop using single use products and it starts with me.
“The more I live I am convinced, everyone just wants to be in love”
-Love & War In Your Twenties
I LOVE this video!!! I’ve noticed such a change (positive) in you with this shifted mindset!!! You seem so much more happy and free! You seem less judgmental stressed as well. I’m so here for it!! And so happy for you. ❤❤
i relate a lot to your point on sunscreen as i have eczema and psoriasis and i couldn’t find plastic-free skincare that eased the pain and moisturised enough. same with all the plastic free deodorants, i got awful contact dermatitis so am scared to try new brands. great video as always! ❤
I relate you, I have sensitive skin and have had issues with finding a plastic free option that doesn't cause a rash. I stick to what works well for my skin and just purchase what I need.
I 100% relate to this. I also have eczema and psoriasis and every single plastic free option has made my skin worst and it made me feel horrible that nothing worked but I got over it recently. I don't have a lot of products I use but I'd rather have clear healthy skin then not.
In my opinion, medical supplies (and exzema treatments and cancer prevention count!!!!!!!) are the #1 thing we should be preserving our plastic use for. Don't feel bad.
In my area, dumpster diving became popular, so the local businesses started destroying the product before throwing it into the dumpster. And more dumpsters are locked
I found your channel at the perfect time in my life. When you were a lot more intense (and borderline impossible for the average person) about your sustainability habits I was living on my own for the first time and it was the intensity that kicked my rear in gear to actually give it all a try. As you became a lot more community, education, and advocation oriented I was getting environmental burnout along side you so thank you for these videos!
Thank you for talking about sunscreen in this video! I have also flip flopped on wearing sunscreen at times because it comes in plastic packaging (and sometimes because of the ingredients) but I also have lots of moles and a family history of skin cancer (grandpa passed away from it and my dad had a scare too). So when I don't wear it I end up not going outside because I'm scared, and that's just worse for my health in general 😅
I came to the decision that it's better to use a bit of sunscreen in a plastic bottle, go out for a walk with my child, and usually we will spend our walk picking up trash from the park, recycling it if it can be, but just getting it out of the grass / flowers / water at a minimum.
A more sustainable swap I made this week was switching from V8 Splash to Country Time Lemonade. Instead of buying a new (plastic) half gallon of juice every week for a few dollars I got a big cardboard tub of powdered lemonade for like $5, and it will make 63 gallons! While I don’t believe the new material is recycled in my area, it will save my family so much money and soooo many bottles! Having “juice” in the house deeply cuts down on impulse soda/coffee purchases too, so for my house it really saves us a lot!
Amazing! And also you are saving emissions because all that liquid is not being transported too!
I hope you are able to get wonderful strawberries from your farmer's markets and CSA! Honestly, my journey has been similar. I started with the hardcore attitude of no plastic ever, make/grow everything myself, drive to specialty stores, and generally sacrifice for the planet while being preachy and judgmental. I started my journey in the late 80s and I have ridden several waves of environmentalist trends. Consistently, each one brings positive changes that have improved people's access to more sustainable options, but real change takes time. Congrats on growing into someone who can see that evolving as you learn more is a positive thing.
Girl you already do so much for this planet! I hope you’re not to hard on yourself for the stuff you don’t do anymore 🌲🌳❤️
I quit my old job at Salvation Army and I now work at a grocery store co-op that specializes in dried bulk goods, fresh organic fruits and produce and other better-for-you foods and supplements. We’ve been in the community for 32 years and we’re located within what is considered a food desert. We also do a lot of outreach. Most of our business is walk-in from the surrounding, underserved community. It’s a wonderful thing.
Luckily not all bulk spots are short-lived hipster cash-grabs. Some are still out here doing some real good! We’re a co-op, which means we are member-owned and not-for-profit. Maybe that makes a difference. 32 years is a long time to be in business and we’re very proud of that. We actually survived Whole Foods- they finally packed up and left town last year! And good riddance!
Living in New England I shop at Farmer's markets but our season is so short lived. I do the best at regular supermarkets.
Ive been subscribed since the dumpster days! I originally liked the dumpster dives because i was obsessed with makeup but as your channel has evolved, so have I. I would LOVE to see a dumpster series though to see how things have changed/progressed/regressed. I also remember you doing a freegan type video where you ate only things you found that were discarded? That was fun too.
Amazing video, thank you for sharing. I think we are all guilty of putting too much pressure on ourselves to try and fix everything. I can resonate with a lot of these points - especially modifications to my diet to avoid plastic. I feel a little bit more at peace now knowing I am doing my best but don’t have to suffer.
I would be interested in seeing dumpster diving videos, talking about safety while dumpster diving, particularly with food
I make my own body scrub! It’s half a cup of sugar to half a cup of coconut oil. It personally makes my skin really soft. Of course it won’t work for everyone but it works for me!
I loved this video! This resonates so much with me in this stage in life. After moving to a smaller community, buying an older house that is in need of several big repairs, and starting work at a hospital it became daunting to tackle everything while trying to reduce our impact.
Repairing an existing home is actually so important! You’re allowed to take some relief from smaller actions when you’re doing a big thing like that
I needed this video so much as a reminder that there is no such thing as a perfect environmentalist. I entered the world of sustainability during the pandemic when I first found your videos and since then I have been SO hard on myself and finding ways to be as sustainable as possible but have constantly felt guilty because the community I live in just doesn't really recognize it and I don't have a lot of options for groceries, farmers market, etc. It's not as attainable where I live so I have to constantly remind myself that I only have so much control in the long run. 💚🌎
I def relate to the thing with my friends and family. I’ve learned that it ends up being more beneficial and a better use of my emotional resources to just exist and be living proof that living more sustainably is doable, than to argue with my family or police what they do. That usually only results in people rolling their eyes and not listening to you anymore, and certain individuals seem like a lost cause altogether. The guilt and inconvenience that arises probably gives the impression that being more sustainable is just too hard or inconvenient. Now I just gently will ask for alternatives where I’m able to (“hey, can we bring our bags from home? That way we don’t have to get any at the store!” Or “oh, please don’t buy that for me, I actually already have what I need, but that’s nice of you to offer. Can we do something together instead?”) and explain more if they ask why I’m so weird about it. Since taking this approach my mom has started gifting me reusables instead of fast fashion clothes and puts a conscious effort towards recycling correctly ever since I started gently nudging her about it here than there (she’s started asking me whether certain stuff is recyclable and I think that’s adorable). I consider that a win!
Bulk Barn here in Canada is a large chain bulk store that is here to stay!
I always find a lot of their things to be old there. Maybe it was just the locations in Halifax. But yea, the quality wasn’t great. Things sit out too long and people don’t close the bins properly a lot of the times so things get stale faster (shorter shelf-life). Also they produce a lot of waste. Their mission is for people to get as little or as much as an item they want (to save money, not to be sustainable). They really aren’t that big on sustainability, which is why most people who go there, fill up the plastic bags that BulkBarn provides 😂.
Good list of tips! I’m in the stage of life where I’m getting used to my dark natural hair color again after years of coloring it all shades as well- however, if deciding in the future to color it again, then I won’t deny that. The same thing with wanting other things again that maybe I don’t have right now. We have one life, and I believe you should also be able to enjoy yourself, even if God forbid I buy a scented body wash instead of a body bar for a periodic change. I just think life is too short to be too hard environmentally on yourself if some mistakes are made. Learn from them and move forward, that’s how we grow. If a body wash can be recycled, can’t that be enough without punishing others who may not be able to live the same way?
Same thing with the trying not to buy things in plastic; I think just doing your best is more important so you can eat healthy and live well without the eco anxiety. A collective environmental movement moving towards progress but done imperfectly is far more realistic and achieveable than the few thinking they alone can save the earth and do it perfectly. Using what you have will always be the most sustainable option, even if it’s not cute or new or “green” by marketed standards, so I don’t think people should feel bad if they don’t have all the cute or trendy eco products out there and feel a sense of eco FOMO. It can take time, money, energy, or resources that someone may or may not have to make larger changes, like solar panels, or an environmentally friendly car. So making changes where you can- and if you even want to- at least personally, makes being environmental a lot more fun, realistic and non-anxiety provoking now than when I first started out. Especially with thinking everything I owned could be zero waste. Learned very quickly on there are lots of ways to work towards sustainability, besides that movement alone.
Finally, I think if some are doing to treat environmental movements like relationships and expect perfection, from themselves or others, it’s a set up for failure. Just like relationships, no person is perfect and we will all slip up sometimes in the green movements. It will happen, so best to give yourself grace, not hold others to expectations you don’t want to be held to, and create positive change that way instead. Seems a lot more productive in terms of time and energy.
Too long, didn’t read? Basically- Do I care if someone else has different ways of doing the green movements than myself? No. Do I need to own a Stanley cup? No. But do I care that others have them like a jealousy? No. My water cup is fine. And it’s great whoever has a Stanley, etc. The environmental movements should, I believe, be about the environment, not judgement from others towards you or you to others about the environment.
This is such an important discussion. I have overthought quite a few of the points you mentioned and still do sometimes.
For so long, I didn’t want to post on the internet because I thought about the impact of it.
But we can only do good work when we feel better, and bring our voice out to the masses in an easily accessible way, rather than exhausting ourselves (or them) in the process.
unrelated to the content -- love that sweater on you! the color makes your skin all glowy
I love the sweater too! Would love to know the brand to see if I can get thrift it
Oh, the spray sunscreens are not that great. its hard to apply the correct amount. Cream ones are the safest
I still use the bulk shop near me sometimes, but only when I'm feeling flush because it's literally twice the price of my regular food shop 😬also baking soda deodorant gives me contact dermatitis and I persevered with it on and off for 6 years because I wanted to be a good little environmentalist. It's weird what eco guilt can do to your brain. Like I do so many things 'right' (vegan for 8 years, no car, shop second hand etc), but buying non-refillable deodorant made me feel really bad.
P.S It would be super interesting to see a dumpster dive revisit!
I tried reusable diapers for my kiddo. It was... Well let's just say with both parents working full time, not sleeping properly because we had an infant... We just couldn't do it. I spiraled so hard down into depression that first year and felt like such a failure that I couldn't do all the things I was told I needed to do...I did make my own baby food. I never bought the little packets/jars. I actually found that pretty easy to do and it was way cheaper. I used icecube trays to make serving sizes and then just had a bunch frozen. Took me two hours once a month to restock
Yes to everything in this video as a shift of mindset! I (have) had vegan friends and zero waste acquaintances that are so cognitively rigid, everyone who is not like them is evil. I used to be rigid mentally on other stuff and as I have healed I no longer feel the need to have this black and white mentality. I am trying to be flexible and hey no matter what we do in the maximum degree we will eventually waste something. At least, let's try to be happy while we care about the environment to the degree we can mentally and practically afford.
Fab, important video! ThankI’ve been with you since the dumpster diving days; you and Immy have had a massive impact on my family’s life, and by extension my friends, too.
I was so pleased to hear that you don’t worry as much about packaging anymore. I do everything I can to avoid buying things in plastic packaging, but I can’t get it any other way, I put the parts I can in thin film recycling, and I just don’t worry about the little bit that’s left.
As someone with multiple chronic illnesses, it’s been important to learn not to torture myself about what I can’t do. So it was super lovely to see this video and feel ok about the choices I’ve made. ❤
Woah I'm really early to this one. Always glad to see your videos!
What i always say to people is "Sustainable change has to be sustainable"
I think we sometimes get caught up on the big picture "buzzword" form of sustainability and forget the small picture meaning: it can be sustained. There is no point in making some change in your life that you cannot sustain, because you will fall. I absolutely think that if changing to Recycled TP with no plastic, or solid shampoo, or a dish washing bar works for you, you should do it and cut down on your plastic consumption. But there is no point being a martyr to sustainability for the sake of it.
I do think that all the zero waste baddies who pioneered the plastic free toothpaste market and such are SO important, but I don't think peoe should feel guilty for not necessarily being those trailblazers.
Whole systems thinking is SO important in the conversation. I'm sure you've come across Permaculture as a philosophy and way of life. My biggest takeaway from it is that nature makes no waste, and hence all our outputs should be inputs. Not sure why, but it both helps me see myself as part of that greater whole, and view my problems from a "can i fix this without being sold the solution" mindset.
I started following you from your dumpster diving videos. I love the growth you have gone through. 🎉
Thank you for this video and for your honesty! It's a topic that is really hard to talk about.
Me watching this and realizing how long I’ve been watching this channel makes me realize how many things I no longer do too. Sending love ❤
Yesss, girl! I appreciate you sharing your growth like this. We've come a far way for sure.
I remember the dumpster diving videos!! 😊
Me too. That is how I first started watching the channel.
I started watching you when you were dumpster diving when I used to watch a lot of beauty youtube (I think I was a part of the algorithm you were talking about), but I was surprised, learning from you, by how wasteful company's are especially when they destroy perfectly good product. I remember this video you did where you went through the whole production chain of one ingredient (I think talc), for the product to eventually be destroyed and that really stuck with me. While I still have a lot of improvement to do when it comes to wastefulness, I appreciate the education you provide in your videos!
I love your front yard project.
I love your shift in mindset in regards to the plastic packaged food & taking a step up the ladder to corporations & communities.
Excited to see how your backyard comes along.
Could you elaborate more on studies you read? Exactly how do you find studies that you know are legit? I unfortunately didn't go to college, so I feel like my research skills are not what they could be.
There are entire databases of peer reviewed studies that students get free access to through university or one could pay for access. In them, I just search a topic and hundreds of papers can pop up, from the 70s to now. I read the abstract (summary on the front page) of several to see that usually the consensus is the same. If I think anything in the abstract pops out at me, I read the entire study. I usually read 2-3 papers per study. Some are more than 20 pages.
The database I use is called JStor
Also, if there are papers published on the same topic that contradict each other, I read both and look for faults in their method or tend to side with the more recent one if the methods seem fine.
@@celinepope thank you, I appreciate the your help!
a way to determine if the actual study was sound is to search for studies with similar experiments to see how similar their findings were (repeatable results is a good indicator of a solid answer). OR you can find studies that argue the opposite of that finding and then compare them. all good studies should have a section that indicate what could have been done better in their studies, what things they didn’t have control over that might have contribute to the results, and/or a section with reasoning disputing OTHER people’s results to strengthen their argument.
Hi Shelbi!! Thank you so much for sharing your perspective. You're such an inspiration to me and I love to share your channel whenever possible. I was happy to hear your point about food waste! I work for the Leftovers Fdn in Manitoba. Its a food rescue charity with an aim to keep excess food outta the landfill. I would LOVE your advice on HOW TF do we convince the gov to make changes and get corporations to donate their excess food.
I recently rejoined Imperfect Foods after taking a break because I realized it caused me to overspend and waste on food. Now I’m doing a lot better with ADHD treatment and budgeting and changing my relationship with food and waste, so I rejoined and am trying not to worry or freak out as much about plastic packaging when it’s unavoidable, or dealing with the bubble wrap and cold packs.
I have been watching you since the dumpster diving days lol and yes I did enjoy watching them but mostly cause I thought it was crazy how much stuff that was thrown away that could have been resold. But I love seeing you grow and flourish on your journey of sustainability.
this video actually means alot to me because back in 2020 i went crazy hard trying to be super environmentalist and got so burnt out that i couldn’t even think about that stuff for like 2 yrs. now i’ve slowly been getting back into it, mostly making do with what i have and not buying tons of things unnesecarily. i still kind of hoard plastic packaging and stuff to collage/do art stuff with though because i feel guilty throwing it away 😭😭😭😭
I love and hate the refill stores love being able to bring my own containers and refill. Hate that they're unfortunately more expensive and it's a store just for body care and cleaning products. Americans like being able to get almost everything they need in one store. Think Walmart, target, WinCo etc. WinCo and sprouts bulk bins are comparable or better prices than the packaged components. Maybe if there was a refill store that could make a deal with those other stores sort of like how Ulta is in Target now. Maybe a refill store would be able to do something like that with a sprouts or fresh thyme?
I used to buy everthing in bulk but all the stores closed by are now a thing of the past in my area... I just can't and that is sad. I am having a baby soon and I tought I could buy everything second hand... hard to do it but at least I think I am at 75% second hand stuff... you just can't expect to find everything or stop your family to buy new stuff unfortunately (even when you tell them that they could spend 10 times less on the gifts they are buying you)
Congrats on your baby! 🎉 I feel you, it is extremely hard to practice sustainability / conscious consumption as a modern day parent. People just buy so many toys! Kids really don’t need that much stuff. If you can nab some hand-me-downs from any friends or family whose kids have outgrown stuff, that’s a huge help. Also, sometimes I just say “no gifts” at my kids’ bday party. (They never know while they’re young, and they cherish experiences more than plastic junk toys!) ❤
Congratulations! I wish for a good cuddling time ❤ We were the first parents in the family and bought a few thinks new (especially cloth diapers). Also some bigger items: we really rocked down our buggy and our car seats will probably last until they don’t need them anymore. We couldn’t find used ones in a condition we were fine with. Of course I bought new milk pumps 😅 Now I mostly only buy new shoes and undies for the kids. The clothes are almost all Second hand as the scooter, bikes, games… But also the new stuff we got gifted: It really makes me happy to see the little cousins with our stuff. Relax: sometimes buying one thing new will save so much time and energy! And you can choose sustainable and more natural stuff. Just really wait until you need something. We didn’t have a big stroller at all because I loved carrying. The buggy we only got after a year when I was pregnant again. We didn’t have a swing and used a second hand (gifted) high chair. We bathed the kids in a laundry basket. But if you really need something don’t stress yourself if you don’t find a suitable option Second Hand within your time and energy frame. Being a parent is stressful and to stress oneself about STUFF sometimes isn’t worth it.
I experienced the guilt-inducing zero waste movement in 2017/18. For years, I felt HORRIBLE for choosing items/services/luxuries that had any negative environmental impact, so I chose to scrutinize each purchase I made and justified any negative consequences with my sense of justice/contribution to the greater good; however, I was severely under-caring for myself. I cringe so hard when I think of the rhetoric I parroted online and irl, which caused friction in my relationships. The quarantine of 2020 brought me back to earth-- we couldn't bring our own bags to the store, so I complied and swallowed my guilt. Bulk sections of Whole Foods stores closed, so I complied and bought packaged items. Over time, I realized I was feeding myself, engaging with others with more compassion, and worrying about true (large-scale) life-or-death matters rather than my individual carbon footprint. I still deeply care about the planet, I fear climate change, and I have more energy to advocate for change. It's amazing to see how my process has paralleled yours in some ways.
I also don’t look for environmentally friendly sunscreen. And if it’s something for my health & hygiene I also value that more than any tiny impact I may have had. So I gave up on finding sustainable toothpaste & toothbrushes & I just use the one my dentist recommends.
I always appreciate your videos so much. I'm so happy we've both been growing and learning together on this journey. Thank you for your transparency and honesty!!!
For the strawberries: where I live most of them come in plastic containers, but sometimes they're sold in cardboard containers: so more ecological options for packaging strawberries do exist. I also grow 'em myself.
I always appreciate your honesty and transparency! We're all just trying to do the best that we can, but we have to take care of ourselves too. One thing I still do that was on your list is compost our cat litter waste. BUT that's because we live on acreage and have a space far from anything we grow for food that we can do it.
Love this video, really helps me take the pressure off myself too! For anyone else that buys the plastic clamshells for strawberries, etc., I've found that some food banks take them to break up bulk fruit donations! Paper bags and egg cartons might be donate-able too!
I love your try your best and advocate for the rest slogan. I think your statement really hit me some years ago, right around the end of college. I always felt like I was yelling into a void and it made me very unhappy. I just started living for myself and now my mom actually recycles and is a bit more intentional about the quality of the items she buys. Wild. I use to do the diy deodorants and toothpaste and all that but it never left me feeling good. I started finding alternatives and that's when certain brands started putting their deodorant in cardboard, I do appreciate that. I was buying more eco friendly toothpaste until my dentist recommended I switch to toothpaste for sentive teeth. So for health reasons, I must listen.
I really appreciate you sharing the changes in mindset because I’ve been following you for a few years and I feel like we’re on the same journey so it’s quite validating. I really wanna make a response video.
I have a lot of food allergies and used to feel really guilty and ashamed over my diet. I was in a situation with limited access to food and restricted myself from packaged foods/animal products to the point of fainting. I now eat a much more balanced and well rounded diet that is best for me and my needs. Plus, I’m an adult now and people around me have a lot more nuance about these things.
Been here since the dumpster diving days for sure 😅 but I agree the point of that should have been the way we incentive them throwing it out vs donating I agree so so so much with what you said there!
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The half blond-half red combo looks great on you! wow!
Your hair so gorgeous!
I try to be more sustainable and reduce waste, but I also care about being frugal and reducing my spending, so I'm not likely to choose more expensive options ONLY because they're more sustainable. The prices at many farmer's markets I've been to make me wince, and the bulk product stores I've seen are no better unfortunately, so I rarely if ever go there
Guilt & shame are horrible motivators. They can work temporarily, but are exhausting to face and make people disengage with you. (Happy to see you moving away from guilting yourself & loved ones! Instead of beating ourselves up for not being perfectly sustainable, we can try to hold on to the vision we have of a brighter, greener, more community-oriented world and take every step with that in mind.
I’ve also quit growing food. I had an allotment for 12 years (small plot let from the local authority for a peppercorn rent in the u.k). I gave it up this year as I work full time and I’m also supporting family members in another city with health conditions, so I don’t have time to maintain it properly. I have a garden tho with trees and shrubs, we get a lot of wildlife, birds, small mammals, insects. I may grow a few veggies in containers next year.
Yes, putting your health (physical and mental) at risk to be environmental is not worth it. I think of it like if we don't take care of ourselves, we won't be able to take care of anyone else, or the planet.
I would really like to learn more about the best ways to advocate and find local initiatives to be a part of.
Regarding the dumpster diving - that is how I found your channel way back when, and how I became aware of waste by businesses. I just want you to know that those videos did change my view, and led me to learn so much and make my life more sustainable.
YASSS! the dumpster dive days!! I miss those LOL! the items you found back then! it was a wild time.
I love your points, especially the last one regarding family and friends with different viewpoints. Being preachy,. condescending or raging against people who have different views or values is the least effective thing to make them change. If anything, it will probably make them defensive. Shutting people out of your life is not going to make them change.
ps: I think you looked great in that cardigan!
I use wood pellets instead of the regular cat litter. Is cutting down trees for wood bad? Yea. By I’m sure it breaks down faster than the other litter, smells better, tracks less around the house, and I use less overall. So would recommend wood litter. Maybe one day this could be chips from garden branch scraps? I will be advocating for that.
Trees can be renewable compared to clay litter which has to be mined (non-renewable) and takes a long time to break down. I have tried various biodegradable litters but my cats are so picky. Even when slowly incorporating, they will only pee and not poop. It's frustrating.
Sis, I found you through your dumpster diving videos! Crazy to think you don't do that anymore, but i totally understand!
Just FYI - I know this is not the point of the video... But Girl! Your hair is ON POINT! Thanks for reminding us we don't have to everything. I love your suggestions as a parent and older GenX I need these lessons.
I was COMMITTED to DIY coconut oil/shea butter/baking soda/corn starch deodorant and it worked fine for me… Until it didn’t. I’m still not much of a sweat-er, but one summer (probably just aging) I realized my sweat was starting to smell for the first time in my life. My compromise now is I buy whatever deodorant my local co-op has in compostable packaging (fortunately I don’t need anything super strong/special), and then the little deodorant stump at the bottom that’s hard to use once you’re almost done with the stick? I dilute that into a cream deodorant using the ingredients above, and it still works fine for me! We don’t waste 🙅🏼♀️
For people who want strawberries, they grow wonderfully in hanging baskets. The blooms are beautiful, and then you have fruit when you want it.
I miss in.gredients!! I use to live down the road from there and they had $10 dinner plates sometimes and it was so great.
I got so depressed trying to make everything plastic free . I also stopped dying my hair. Then you said we cant do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good i can do. And it clicked. I will dye my hair with vegan cruelty free dye.
Great 😊 video 🎥 S!
I relate to these things you don't do anymore.
I'm a moley girl myself and get mole checked regularly.
Looking lovely 😻 too! Wonderful 😊 news about your front yard 🎉🦋🧑🌾🏡
It would be great 👍 to see a video 🎥 about your Farmers markets and local produce businesses you support ❤
It means actually so much to hear you talk about hair colouring.
I have the same issue as you. I was blonde, then my hair turned dark and I have never felt like myself again.
I have watched your old videos on home made hair bleaching and was planning to go that route, but haven't dared yet because I am afraid to ruin my hair before getting married next year. Now I realise I can let myself go to the saloon and get it professionally (and safe) done. There is so many better things I rather can focus on when it comes to the environment.
BTW, we plan to make our wedding vegan and as zero waste as possible.
Also when I first talked about being sustainable with my family they were very against the idea. But after years of me just being me my parents have made a 180 change and they even have their own chicken farm now.
If you have any concerns with sunscreen, I definitely recommend a mineral based sunscreen, usually one with non-nano zinc oxide. They give you protection and don’t hurt the environment. Or at least I’ve heard their way better than most of what’s out there
Great video! Your dumpster diving videos taught me how stores would sometimes rather cut up clothes than pay employees to hang them back on the shelves when people return them… that blew me away.
The thing I’ve given up on is sustainable deodorant/antiperspirant. I’ve tried so many sustainable ones but I have very sensitive skin which can’t handle a lot of the alternative ingredients and even the ones that work for some people who don’t like most of them don’t seem to work for me. I’d love to find someone who reuses the plastic tubes - I remember you used to donate yours to someone who used them for sunscreen. I’d also go for regular formulas in cardboard but no one seems to make them after Secret stopped
i really love my local bulk shop. it has a good mix of bulk pasta, rice, tea, pick and mix sweets(although the arent vegan sadly:( ). They also have cleaning supplies and a freezer with fruit and ready made dough and stuff. Their prices are good and i really love it!
Do your neighbors ever voice complaints about your yard being a certified wildlife habitat? 😊 super interested but I’m curious about what animals might show up, and if this causes pest issues? (Ex. Rat infestations)
Her video on grass from last month talks about this!
I have found the best way to help the environment is to do the things that you can do long term and mesh well with your other goals. Buying used when possible, growing a huge food producing garden, landscaping with native plants, cooking from scratch, and being frugal in general have had benefits beyond saving money. Our trash volume has dropped to 1/3 of what it used to be. We didn't set out for that to happen it just turned out as a byproduct of other choices we made.
I'd looked into the pet waste composting thing, but my location doesn't allow that due to proximity to protected waterways (like my yard was filled in in the 1960s, before that was swamp proximity, and I found that out after I got here). I'm kinda glad to hear from someone who tried it, it definitely looked like a finicky messy process.
I like Supergoop’s sunscreen personally. They have one that’s like a mousse texture and their unseen sunscreen for my face is EVERYTHING because texture issues.