Why Sustainable Pursuits? Sustainability is a term that is thrown around a lot, but by definition sustainability is:
“The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level. Avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance” (Oxford Languages, Google’s English Dictionary).1
I want to pursue both sides of that definition. My goal is to create daily practices that help avoid the depletion of natural resources and see what it takes to maintain those long lasting practices. But most importantly it’s about living in alignment with our values.
About Susie
I wish I could say I’m into mountain biking, skiing, swing dancing but that’s all just way too energetic. What I do like are things like Qigong, meditation, coffee shops, and libraries among prepping and crafting hobbies. Education wise, I have a degree in horticulture science and a degree in nutrition with a few random certifications like tea knowledge and child development.
Something that has always been a constant in my life is being around nature and wanting to do right by this home we call earth. I wouldn’t consider myself an eco warrior or anything, it’s just that things like recycling, reducing waste, and reusing what’s already available just makes sense to me. I haven’t always been very consistent or purposeful about these practices but they have always been a core drive and value.
Where this Journey Started
The past few years have brought to light how important it is to live in alignment with one’s values. It was around 2019 that I began purposefully swapping out single use plastic items for their sustainable counterparts. The biggest prompt for that change was becoming aware that there even were alternatives, that’s also when I started following eco-friendly challenge organizations. I began wondering, “is it even an option anymore to live without all this waste?” That is what brought about my desire to really try and cut down on my plastic dependency.
It’s not just about cutting down on plastic, it’s about living with intention and living a more sustainable life- that’s the real journey. For me that means making healthier choices, being less wasteful, and being more resourceful. But how does one actually live with intention? I believe it starts by setting goals that align with one’s values. Then changing one’s habits to align with those goals. As a practical way to change my habits and give myself accountability, I decided to challenge myself each month to reduce my plastic waste and to learn new skills to better utilize my resources. Throughout the month I will share my thoughts, research, and conclusions about the challenges with you.
Thank you for joining me on this journey, and while my focus may be on reducing plastic dependency, I hope the insights can be of benefit to you and your well-being and intentional living goals as well.
- “Sustainability, N.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford UP, July 2023, https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/6507571288. ↩︎
