Sustainability is everywhere but, along with that, there are sustainability challenges and hurdles we all face, like, “What does being sustainable mean for me personally?” The good news (and couldn’t we use some of that?!) is that sustainability can be different for each person. You can customize your earth-friendliness based on your lifestyle, budget, and stress levels. Read on for more, friend!
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Sustainability Challenges We Personally Face
What are your sustainability challenges? Sometimes they can be ongoing and, other times, just pop up…like my recent compost debacle.
I love my compost service! I even wrote a blog post about how much I love composting. So, when my compost bins were stolen recently, I was perturbed to say the least.
Okay, first of all, who steals compost buckets? With the compost still in them?
Before I jumped to any conclusions on this, I thought through the possibilities. Maybe someone picked them up on accident, like maybe they thought it was free stuff people put at the end of their driveways. Maybe the rain swept them down the street. Or maybe it was a bonafide scoundrel! Who knows!
So, with these minor inconveniences of not having a place to toss my coffee grounds and the cost of new bins, it got me thinking of the obstacles we face to being more sustainable.
What prevents you from changing old habits and starting new routines? I know I mostly like to blame the government for everything! But since they’re never going to do pretty much ANYTHING, I do what I can.
This post is all about sustainability challenges that make it more difficult to be our eco-friendliest and how we can overcome those obstacles.
How to Address Those Common Sustainability Challenges
The Financial Cost of Being Sustainable
I think many people believe a sustainable lifestyle is more expensive, but I believe that’s mostly a misnomer. Now, I’m not only saying this just because I wanted an excuse to use “misnomer.” I’m also saying it because I think you can save money by living a sustainable life.
Share Your Resources
From swapping clothes to sharing plants from your garden, there are many free ways to cut costs and reduce your carbon emissions.
- Divide plants and give to a friend. Or see if your gardening friends have plants to share.
- Trade outfits, purses, and costume jewelry.
- Get on The Buy Nothing Project to give and get free stuff!
- Share subscriptions! Some plans like Audible let you add a friend.
- Carpool when you can.
- Start growing your own produce or herbs. I got a tomato plant from one of my neighbors!
- Swap tips with friends and family.
- Cook together and socialize at home versus going to restaurants.
- If you need an item only once (ladder, drill, picnic basket, edging tool, crock pot, etc.) see if you can borrow from a friend. Make sure you take really good care of their belongings if you do this. That shows you’re trustworthy and responsible…and will help you in the future if you need something special.
I was always taught to not borrow from others,
so borrowing isn’t one of my strengths.
And I truly see the reasoning behind this.
If you break or damage your friend’s belongings,
it’s not only super embarrassing,
but could be expensive to replace.
However, you have to make the call
on what feels right for you.
I rarely borrow anything,
but I’m also a major overthinker and worrier.
And while my friends would say I’m very responsible,
I’m also very accident-prone!
So that’s why I usually just use my own stuff
or improvise!
On the other hand,
you’re probably very elegant and graceful
and need not to worry so much.
Just know that this is something to consider!
Ask for Practical Gifts For Your Birthday or the Holidays
Getting something sparkly or totally frivolous is always fun. But, if you’re trying to be more sustainable and keep costs down, ask for birthday or holiday gifts that will help your finances.
- Cash
- Gift cards
- Items you can use in your home or garden
- Digital subscriptions like Netflix, Audible, and Dropbox
- Airline points for an important trip
- Terracycle recycle box: These are pretty pricey, so getting one as a gift is helpful and thoughtful!
- Trashie clothing recycling bags: About twenty bucks a bag, this is a great gift for an eco-conscious soul.
For those of you like me,
who don’t feel like reading directions:
First, of all, READ the directions
before you go to ship your Trashie bags.
If not, you’ll be THAT GIRL
in the UPS store
frantically scanning her codes
and going into a panic
over not remembering her passwords.
You know that girl.
I was that girl.
And it was not enjoyable.
Improvise or Upcycle
I used to just buy stuff without first thinking, “Do I have something at home I can use instead?” This wasn’t the best in many ways, so I learned that DIY can actually be my friend.
Today, you can DIY pretty much anything. Yes, not everything is easy, so I avoid the difficult projects. Y’all, I advocate for EASY!
I’m talking plastic food containers that you can use for storage or never buying dust rags again because old socks will work.
You’re creative! So, use those powers to cut back on those sustainability challenges that plague us all. And if you have any favorite tips, I’d love to hear them in the comments!
Don’t Let Your Fancy Friends Influence You
I used to have a friend who loved to travel and, while traveling, loved to shop! Now, I love to shop, too, so this was a MAJOR conundrum for my finances. I can’t even begin to tell you the shopping hauls I got myself into.
One time, we went to Chicago with another dear friend for a girls’ trip. Going to Chicago was enough of an expense, but on that trip I discovered a little place called H&M. This was before the retailer was in a bunch of other cities, so the limited edition allure got me, for sure.
Our other VERY patient (and also much more responsible) friend didn’t feel like spending her whole morning (or life’s savings) in a store, so she went to get coffee. When she circled back, our friend saw that we were still there, our arms filled with piles of clothes and our faces flushed with the rush of a shopping high.
So, our poor (but actually richer than us after we spent all our money) exasperated pal left again.
Finally, when she came back, we were checking out, now loaded down with bags of clothes we really didn’t need.
I lived in this shopping fantasy land for years and, let me tell you, I PAID for it.
Know what you can afford and stick to that budget! That way, you’ll help lower the earth’s temperature so it can still look hot. Just like you!
@katstanophotography
Skip the Souvenirs (At Least Some of the Time)
Speaking of trips…
My whole life, I’ve had to buy souvenirs for myself, my family, my friends, my dog, and even some people I don’t even like that much when I’ve gone on vacation or work trips. Why did I need one more mug, one more magnet, or one more cheap sarong?
If you’re like me, I bet your love language is giving gifts and that really is not a bad quality at all! It’s just a matter of not going overboard. And going overboard is also my love language. Yours, too? Let’s be friends!
Try to narrow down any trip purchases with keepsakes that feel really, really special. It’s okay to bring beautiful gifts back…just be as judicious as you can!
Check out local artists
and consider them first when getting souvenirs.
This is a kind practice,
supporting small businesses
and creative hearts.
Take Good Care of Your Things
I treat my belongings with care and respect and that means they usually last a very long time. You can trust me on this one! I kept my Honda CR-V for 23 years. I hand-wash my grandma’s china. I have clothes that have gone out of style and come back into style in the time I’ve owned them.
I’m not saying to bring back ALL styles, but you get the idea!
Plan Ahead
Take note of the things you know you’ll use, whether it’s everyday items or what you might need on a trip.
One time, I was about to leave for a work trip to Washington, D.C. when my mom alerted me, according to the weather report she just saw, that it would be really cold there that weekend.
Since I thought it was going to be hot, I had packed warm-weather clothing and was already out-of-town in my stopover city at my parents’ house. So, what did I do? I raced to T.J. Maxx (the same one I worked at in high school, I might add!) and bought about 17 different jackets and pullovers in a panic. (I am NOT exaggerating.)
How was I to wear 17 jackets and pullovers on a three-day trip?
After repacking EVERYTHING, I checked the weather one more time. And, lo and behold, another contradictory weather forecast revealed itself. My mom had watched the report for Washington STATE.
I just overly consumed, overly spent, and overly packed my suitcase because of some very dubious information. Again, don’t be me when caught in a wrong weather forecast situation!
Avoid Impulse Purchases
Impulse purchases: also my love language.
If you have a hankering for seeing something cute and saying, “OMG, I NEED THIS”, welcome to the club. I love to shop, and I mean LOVE, but becoming more sustainable is teaching me that buying more than I need and all that I want isn’t very earth-friendly. Plus, it makes you poor.
My company has this amazing wonderland of a store called The Surplus Store, but lovingly nicknamed The Double D (“D” is for discount, people; we aren’t talking sexy get-ups.). And, on my lunch breaks or “research” breaks, I’d hop over, pop in, and shop.
The Double D stocks product that’s 75% off, stuff like baby blankets (or as I like to say, blankets for my fur child), kids’ books, Christmas decorations, planters, candle votives, wine glasses, platters, frames, stationery, purses, stuffed animals, trinket boxes, coasters, photo albums, jewelry, floor pillows, paper weights, crayons, coloring books, wrapping paper, dishes, and…MORE!
Are you drooling yet?
Also notable: You could PAYROLL DEDUCT. Bad, bad, BAD! But, so good, good, GOOD!
I once bought a tutu for my dog there. Another time, I scored a really cool geometric mirror/shelf thing that there was ONLY ONE OF. Cosette’s favorite toy, CuPug is from there, too.
My family only comes into town to see me because of The Double D. (Okay, partial exaggeration, but not by much!)
What I’m saying is, I probably needed NONE of those things. (And, no, all this stuff wasn’t just for me: I bought lots and lots of gifts, too!) I share this with you because, while the treasure hunts were extremely fun, I think my carbon footprint became like a size XXL.
Say No To At Least Some of the Steals & Deals
Okay, in the same realm as impulse purchases are the steals and deals! Take a pause first when you see any of these:
- BOGO!
- Flash sale!
- Free shipping when you spend $100!
- 25% off all sale items!
- Free *thingamabob* with purchase!
- Spin the wheel for your prize!
- First month free!
- Sample sale! (Don’t even get me started. I love these.)
I get it. We’re all trying to make a living here. And, if you’re looking for something specific that actually is in your plan to purchase or give as a gift, by all means, pay attention to these steals and deals!
But to avoid the sustainability challenges of over-consumption, keep that pretty head on your shoulders and try to resist the things you really can live without.
Related Posts That Will Probably Solve All of Your Sustainability Challenges
DIY Gift Ideas For Your Bestie When You’re Totally Broke
What are Carbon Offsets? A Simple-Ish Guide
Time Commitment of an Eco-Conscious Lifestyle
@katstanophotography
Shop Less
The less you bring into your home, the less clutter and upkeep you have to deal with! This also saves money and gives you back more time in your day (because you’re not spending that time shopping!).
Buy Only What You Need
This goes with shopping less, but also just being practical and realistic about true necessities versus nice-to-haves. Do you know how many nice-to-haves I’ve blown money on?
Stick With Brands You Know & Trust
Of course, it’s okay to branch out sometimes, but when you stick with what you know works and does the job, you’re simplifying your schedule and saving cash.
How many times have you bought a product you didn’t like or even forgot you had because you just didn’t feel like getting out the instructions to use it? This, my friend, is a waste of resources and your precious time!
Get Organized
When everything has a home, you’re not wasting hours searching for stuff and then ultimately buying duplicates because you can’t find anything. I’m an expert on this because I’m the WORST at losing things in my house. Do you also have these sustainability challenges?
My advice:
- Put things in bins or baskets (where you can remember where they are!).
- Label your bins or baskets.
- If you’re a spreadsheet person, make an inventory list of your supplies, like batteries, bulbs, and tools.
Low Energy or Lack of Physical Capabilities
Doing eco-friendly things can just be downright hard work. Ever try to dig a flower bed? I did recently and it was WORK! (Also, I didn’t do a very good job and I’m still trying to not make myself feel bad about it.)
Garden With a Buddy
@katstanophotography
If you have a friend who loves gardening as much as you do or a partner who could be put to work, this is a good way to get stuff done.
Now, a lot of people don’t have this and I understand. Even if you do, your people may rather watch Netflix.
In that case, go to the next tip…
Hire a Pro
If you just can’t get it all done, it’s okay to hire someone to help you plant, weed, trim, build, or water. Especially if it’s in your budget, go for it!
We’re all so busy working full-time, raising families, caring for fur kids, healing our bodies, worrying about the world, and doing everything in-between.
You might also be recovering from surgery, living with a chronic condition, or making adjustments because of a physical disability. Our journeys are all different and it’s okay to use different ways to achieve our goals.
Check with those whose opinions you trust and get some gardener or landscaper recommendations to save your last bit of sanity AND give some time back to other things that need your tender loving care.
Take a Break
Who said you had to be an eco machine? Rest when you need to. And just stop to appreciate the things you’ve already done.
Do I want an enchanted, old English garden with perfectly trailing roses, winding paths of colorful blooms, and miles of wisteria cascading over my head? Like, DUH.
But you know what I have? One coneflower trying its darnedest to not be the last to be eaten by the bunnies, a row of puffy hostas being sabotaged by an evil coup of poison ivy, and pretty much very dead roses. They were named Agatha Christie. And poor Agatha Christie never had a chance in my garden.
To sum it up, the word is GRACE. Give yourself some. I will try to do the same!
Eco-Friendly Fails
@katstanophotography
Not everything we do will be a slam dunk. And since my sporting knowledge is nil, here’s another analogy: Not everything we touch turns to gold. BUT, it may turn to rose gold! Options!
Switch Gears
I’ve planted a lot of plants that just went kaput. They either didn’t like my yard or didn’t like me. I’m sure it was me.
I’ve mourned these botanical losses, but have learned what I might’ve done wrong. Then, I’ve either tried again or tried something else.
In the process, I’ve let a lot go, plus found some favorite plants that DO love me. Very much!
Give Yourself a Break
This goes along with giving yourself grace. You’re not going to get it all right.
Maybe you used too many straws this week and felt really bad. Or did you forget your reusable water bottle and had to buy a single-use plastic bottle? Remember, you are a HUMAN. Humans aren’t perfect. Sometimes we do things really well. And sometimes we don’t.
Your heart’s in the right place. That’s what matters.
No Community Resources
Nothing makes me more riled up than not having a place to recycle random stuff. Not many organizations or cities make it easy to be an eco-friendly person. And if you magically do find some far-off drop-off place, most people aren’t going to go the extra mile when they’re busy enough with everything else.
Don’t I totally get it!
I wish cities would pair up with places like Terracycle much more often, giving average citizens an easier way to recycle those odd things that no one knows how to recycle.
WHY can’t my wish EVER come true?!!
Buy Alternatives When Possible
What I mean by this can be…packaging alternatives! My favorite example is yogurt. Skip the plastic containers and get that creamy, dreamy treat in glass. I love Oui yogurt. Glass container. Foil lid. Totally reusable jar.
Another alternative is aluminum cans. I noticed I’m buying a lot of soup in plastic bowls. What is my actual problem?! So, my new goal is to get my soup in cans. It takes slightly more effort to use a can opener, but I know I personally have this capability, so I’ll do it.
There are other alternatives in makeup like this zero-waste, no-plastic, cruelty-free, vegan brand I love.
Keep looking for those better solutions. You’re doing great!
Nag the Government
This probably hardly ever works, but I try it anyway! You could first contact your local city council. I’m thinking about doing this myself, but haven’t gotten it together yet. Plus, I fear they’ll say, “Thanks for your thoughts, sweet local lunatic, but NO.”
It can be scary to speak up, especially these days. But, if there’s a way we can do it tactfully, gently, and consistently, maybe it just might make change.
Get Tips From Environmentalists or Simply Bloggers Like Me Who’ve Developed Anxiety Issues (But are Still Smiling!) Over Worrying About This Stuff
This is my ongoing list of where to recycle things. I can’t promise it’ll change your life, but it might ease your burden a bit!
Being the Sustainability Underdog
@katstanophotography
One of the biggest sustainability challenges for me is feeling like I’m the only one on earth who wants to save the earth. Which is totally untrue! There are probably, like, four of us, at least.
While I know there are many extraordinary organizations and efforts being made for the planet, sometimes we may be the only ones in our friend and family groups who have the extra passion and incentive.
That can feel lonely. And tiresome.
But you can also look at it like this: It’s also empowering to make positive change.
Surround Yourself With Other Sustainably-Minded People
It’s a real downer to be around people who really think “the earth will replenish itself…no need to do anything special!” Yes, our dear Mother Earth is a QUEEN and very resilient, but we must respect the queen.
I have a group of friends who try to make the earth a better place whenever they can. And we all approach it differently, do things differently, and place focus on different eco-friendly measures. It’s all worthy and helpful!
This is also a great way to swap ideas and share resources with others who care.
I talk about this a lot, but I love The Buy Nothing Project on Facebook. It’s all about giving and receiving items for free and using what we already have.
You might also try getting involved with a local conservation group or community garden.
Do What You Can Afford
While some sustainable actions can be cheaper, others do cost some extra cash. I wish I could buy a bunch of Terracycle boxes for all of my random typically non-recyclable stuff, but the boxes are pretty pricey. Instead, I try to compensate by cutting back on plastic purchases and upcycling other packaging.
Stay within your means and fight the good eco-friendly fight the best that you can.
Don’t Worry About Doing It All
You have to start somewhere, so do what you can and what can fit into your schedule. I say this as I currently have about 10 Oui yogurt jars sitting on my island, along with some plastic containers, and glass bottles I’m trying to “repurpose.” I clearly can’t fit these into my schedule!
So, the point is, to upcycle to your heart’s content, but sometimes just recycle or do the dreaded thing…toss.
I know: It makes me sick to not have a sustainable place for each and every thing. But, sometimes, we just can’t take the overwhelm. Sometimes we have to save some peace for ourselves while saving the world.
I say this a lot: It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress.
That’s why it’s important for us all to pitch in. And, no, sweetie, I don’t mean “pitch” as in throw in the landfill!
We ALL must figure out how to be more respectful of the earth. That way, it takes the onus and obligation off of the few dedicated souls.
Ignore Those Highfalutin’ Celebrities
Yes, celebrities can pretty much buy whatever they want and it seems they change outfits every five minutes. Now, I will say, those guys are always looking gorgeous. But, if we had to keep up with them, then the resources wasted would be out of this world.
Honestly, I’m not trying to be mean to celebrities or make them feel bad. After all, they’re people, too! But sometimes us common folk are influenced by the trends we see and it’s easy to get carried away by the glamour. We think we need these things, too.
BUT, we should be inspiring THEM. We should say, “Hey! Look at us wearing this dress for (GASP!) the second time in a row!” Not that they can hear us under all that Versace, but that’s okay!
Now, would I love to become gal pals with Kate Middleton and go shopping together and have her stylist pick out all of my coats and dresses? Um. YES. But since that will NEVER happen and I don’t need all of those coats and dresses, then maybe it’s POSSIBLE to wear what I already have.
The point is, society can really peer-pressure us into over-consumption, but you know and I know our hearts know best.
Conclusion: Sustainability Challenges
Because we’re each unique and have different circumstances, our eco-friendly lifestyles will vary, so will our individual sustainability challenges. We have to look at our own situations to see what works for our schedules and mental health. ESPECIALLY, our mental health. Because, if you’re anything like me, worrying about climate change has probably sent you down a dark, dank, despondent path more than once…A DAY.
The best way we can make this easy on each of us is for each of us to do something kind for the earth and animals. Start small with little habits (turning off the lights, running less water, planting flowers) and then add new eco-friendly measures as you go.
Need encouragement? Keep coming back here! I’ll cheer you on.
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This is a thoughtful take on the everyday hurdles of living more sustainably. I appreciate how you pair honest challenges with realistic solutions; it makes the journey feel achievable instead of overwhelming. Thanks for the practical inspiration!
I really appreciate you saying that, Angelia! Becoming overwhelmed with everything is one of my “gifts” and I feel sure others might have the same problems🤣 I’m glad you found this helpful!