Blogs, Journey

Out of the Blue – How I became ‘Eco Inspired’

In January 2018 I sat down with my two sons, aged four and six at the time, to watch a show we had been waiting anxiously to see – Blue Planet II. Little did I know the impact it would have on me and my family. That it would completely change the way I want to live.

The Inspiration

It was Blue Planet II that made me view the world, and the part we play in it, with new eyes. The visual of what we as humans are doing to our planet broke my heart.

It was Blue Planet II that inspired me to start looking at ways to reduce my plastic imprint,  along with my two sons who keep reminding me and playing their own parts (they are my daily inspirations!).

It was Blue Planet II, some like-minded friends, great websites and well-known eco initiators that have paved their own way, that gave me insights into living a simplified, waste-free and healthier life. Along the way I have bombarded Facebook with my discoveries and messages… sorry, but not sorry! 🙂

A year later, Blue Planet II, community groups, my family and many supportive friends, colleagues and some timely events and books have all inspired me to start sharing my eco journey. Whether they are aware of the part they played or not!

So my official introduction all starts with this blog!

To be honest, I’m a little awestruck that I’m actually here and doing this. I’ve actually published the first blog on my own website!

What a journey it has been to get here. It makes my head spin just thinking about it. But I’ll have further blogs published that delve into what I’ll call my journey ‘milestones’ because that’s what they feel like – big accomplishments! You’ll also see quotes from David Attenborough throughout this blog – the person who first spurred me into action.

“It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty, the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living.” David Attenborough

The Conversation

Apart from the little signs along the way that led me here, why do I want to write about it?

The information I’m finding every day and collecting needs a space for me to keep track, and sometimes I just need to write about it (hence my social media ‘eco spam’ as some might call it). This way I am not cluttering up people’s Facebook news feeds with posts they may not be interested in. I can write about my thoughts and findings here and those that want to read about it can!

But there are a few reasons I have created a website rather than just a blog.

Right now the website is starting small, but I have a bundle of ideas that will be implemented piece by piece. They are additions that will have a specific focus around eco-living, sustainability, waste-free and plastic-free living and more. But there is so much information out there, too much to write about, so I’m also on a website journey. I have a vision for this website… you just have to keep visiting to see it unfold!

I’ll be here to help guide you, so you learn more about how we can ALL help our home. Our planet. Earth. I’m also open to your feedback and ideas!

The Aspiration

I would like to see Earth return to the beautiful place it was before it was drowned in plastic. Is this an unreal hope? Maybe. But what’s the harm in trying?

If I don’t try – if none of us try –  then the way we have been using and abusing plastic, the disposable economy we now live in that is filled with the need to buy the newest and best, will never change.

I’m already seeing a shift – even in my inner circle of friends awareness is taking shape and they are making positive changes bit by bit which I am so proud of… and THEY are proud of!

Not everyone likes change, and it can be hard at first, but you aren’t alone in doing this. More and more people, more governments and businesses, are realising that the way we do things now has to change. It IS changing.

I want to make that transition easier for you. I want to encourage others to start. Because our actions will make a difference individually, and together will signal to other businesses that we want them to change the way they do things, and make their business practices more sustainable. If the government won’t act then consumers need to make a stand!

The Misconception

Not so long ago I was a disposable consumer who thought I was doing the right thing by having a rubbish bin, recycling and picking up after myself everywhere I went. I would hold parties for our kids and have masses of plastic plates and cutlery that I made sure went in the bin. I let the kids play with balloons and bought take-away coffee in coffee cups with their plastic lids. I asked for plastic bags to hold items I bought and used these for our bin.

It probably sounds familiar to many of you, right?

“Ever since we arrived on this planet as a species, we’ve cut them down, dug them up, burnt them and poisoned them. Today we’re doing so on a greater scale than ever.” David Attenborough

The introduction of plastic. The mining of coal for electricity. The popularity of drinking water from a ‘spring’. The manufacturing of products that became less durable and more disposable. The information age of technology that changes and updates continuously.

In many ways our society has become materialistic and greedy and lazy. The dollar signs flash for businesses, and they make sure that everyone wants to buy the latest gadget or fashion so they don’t ‘miss out’ or because they won’t portray the ‘right look’ if they don’t.

Why are we filled with this need? Is it because of constant advancements and discoveries? Is it because we as consumers, are bombarded with quicker, more convenient, cheaper and ‘better’ ways to do things or wear things or display things every day, every hour, even every minute?

On average we see 5,000 advertisements every day and every single one of them seeks to convince us that possessions make us happy.” Joshua Becker, Becoming Minimalist

Social media, websites, search engines, television, radio, magazines… the majority of what we view is or has advertising on it, selling us something. Sure, some things we need, and the internet makes sure it reminds us what we’ve been searching for. Some things it makes us think we need, but we really just want.

These are just my inner musings. The things I don’t have answers to but think about and hope will change.

The Change

“Never before have we been so aware of what we are doing to our planet – and never before have we had such power to do something about it. Surely we have a responsibility to care for the planet on which we live?

The future of humanity, and indeed of all life on Earth, now depends on us doing so.” David Attenborough, Radio Times article and Blue Planet II Episode 7 – Our Blue Planet

You know what? I’ve discovered in the last year that I don’t miss any of it. Trying to get the latest and greatest all the time was stressful. Then finding somewhere to put it and disposing of the ‘old’ item was stressful. Trying to find the right gift in the mountains of options available was stressful.

What do I do now?

I try to just buy what I need. I haven’t perfected this method and probably never will. I don’t always get the quantities right or buy the right material, but I’m trying. I’ve also been trying to buy second-hand if I can, whether that’s op shops or online swap/sell marketplaces. I would much rather reuse something that someone else no longer needs, instead of it going to landfill and being wasted. I’m gradually teaching my sons ways to reduce waste, and why we should. As well as how donating things we don’t need to others who don’t have a lot can make them, and us, happier.

I have been able to find alternatives to plastic-covered items, which basically means I buy most of my food fresh or unprocessed. I enjoy this new way of buying and living and learning – it’s energizing! But I can only ‘share’ my experiences with you.

It’s up to you to want to change.

It’s up to you to break your habits.

Do some reading and discovering on my website as it builds and on others you find. Click on links to find more information and ideas, and please share them! Feel free to share your findings with me on this site or share them with others!

Discover a new way of living – a better and more enjoyable way of living!

Welcome to ‘Eco Inspired’. A place where you can ‘create your eco journey’.

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