Sustainable living is the lifestyle trend of today. It’s all about organic food, fair trade coffee, fair clothing, climate friendly, reducing CO2 emissions and a sustainable home. So yes, at home you can make your own contribution to a more sustainable world. A sustainable world starts with sustainable living on an individual level.
So what is sustainable living? And how can you live more sustainably? As you’ll read below, sustainable living can be quite easy. With these 5 simple sustainable living tips you can start today with making your life more sustainable.
Oh, as you’ll see: these are not the usual tips, but new tips to give you some new inspiration.
What is sustainable living?
Sustainable living means including sustainability in your daily activities and life. Sustainable living can include small and also big changes. The beauty about sustainable living is that they all have a big impact, especially when added together.
Another beautiful result is that you’ll become more aware of nature and you’ll realize your individual place within a bigger ecological system. It will make you feel humble, but also in love with nature and natural things.
You’ll see 😉.
Sustainable living can be about:
- Buying groceries more consciously. What do you actually put into your mouth? You will start to prefer organic products for it’s quality.
- Separating waste consciously and limiting the waste you produce.
- Eating less meat, mostly plant-based.
- Making different choices concerning traveling.
- Experience nature more consciously, and appreciate it better.
- Living sustainably doesn’t mean reducing your comfort. On the contrary. You’ll soon discover that sustainable living includes better quality, luxury and more enjoyment.
- You’ll improve your inside and outside space.
- Experiencing better health and happiness.
Read more: Download these easy sustainability tips to make your lifestyle more sustainable.
Tips sustainable living
I’ll give you my best tips that are really easy to adapt in your lifestyle.
Consume less
We don’t need so much stuff!!!
Let’s be fair: our ecological footprint in Europe and North America is way too big. This literally means we consume too much. Just look around you. How much things do you buy that you don’t really need? How much waste do you produce?
There are other ways…
Consume more consciously
Additionally, consume more consciously. Sustainability is more than eco-friendly. Sustainability is also about social sustainability and fairness. It also entails conscious behavior. What are the consequences of your consumption behavior on nature and on other communities and people?
Fair trade products ensure a fair pay for for example coffee beans farmers. But also be aware of the ecological and social consequences of the production processes of certain products. Think about blood diamonds, child labour and wars being fought with child soldiers over the production of natural resources in the production of chips and phones.
Do you really want to be part of those production chains?
I don’t think so. But unwillingly you are when buying these kind of products. The solution is quite simple: buy fair trade, eco-friendly products and buy more consciously. Be aware of the production processes of the products that you buy, as far as possible.
Actively try to reduce your ecological footprint
Our lifestyle behavior is totally out of control. Our lifestyle has a huge impact on the world, climate, nature and natural resources.
Be aware of that. But also be aware of the simple ways to reduce your ecological footprint.
Reducing your ecological footprint, means:
- Buy less stuff. We really don’t need so much. Look around your house and think about it.
- Buy only what you need. Stuffing your house with things you never use is such a waste of resources and money.
- Eat less meat. Mostly plant-based. The meat and dairy industry has an enormous carbon footprint. Reducing the consumption of it has an enormous positive eco impact.
- This also means: consume less water and energy. Just use what you need, not more than necessary. So this means to turn off the light and devices when not in use. And not to keep the water running when not used. But also: use green energy from wind energy and solar panels. Reduce your use of gas to zero, as gas is a non-renewable resource. It’s really not that hard.
Tip: Download TreeClicks. This plugin will plant trees with every purchase you make online! A great example to reduce your footprint the simplest way.
Reduce your waste
I already shortly mentioned this. We produce a lot of waste. We buy waste, and then throw in on the landslide. It is such a huge waste, but also very polluting. So why not produce less waste?
For example by:
- Recycling
- Buying second-hand items
- Resell or give away items you don’t use, instead of dumping them
- Reuse as much as possible. Plastic bags can be used as garbage bags, pots can be reused for cooking and preserving. Things that are broken can be fixed. Etcetera.
- Make compost of your fruit and vegetable waste.
Tip: Try to write down how much waste you produce during a few months. This will stimulate you to limit it. And if you notice the effects of your efforts, this will further stimulate you to keep up the good work.
Go green inside and outside your home
Nature is beautiful, but also really healthy. Bring nature inside your home and also outside your home.
- It will improve the climate and air quality inside your home.
- It will make your home more beautiful.
- You’ll support bees, insect life and butterflies by keeping flowers in your garden or on your balcony.
- Try also to support the bird population with bird houses and bird food.
- Make your own vegetable garden. Produce your own organic food. You’ll love it. And working in your vegetable garden is very relaxing.
Try it! You’ll notice immediately you’ll appreciate nature waaaay more. And every spring and summer the birds, bees, butterflies and insects will thank you.
Travel sustainable
Exactly. It’s quite obvious that the airplane is not so sustainable. So think about the alternatives.
- Always compensate the CO2 emissions of your travels when possible.
- Enjoy a staycation, bike tour or walking vacation. These are by far the best ways to discover local cultures and countries anyway. And so much fun. For example: start a spiritual journey and walk to Santiago de Compostela. I promise you this will be an experience you’ll never forget.
- Rent a camper van and explore the world more sustainable.
- Go camping
These different perspectives on traveling will make you reconnect with nature while discovering and appreciating local communities. A great way to travel that is way less polluting than flying.