You will have heard me say this before, probably many times, but that’s because it’s the only way I have been able to succeed on this journey. It’s the best way I have found to make changes in my life for the good of the planet.

And that is to start by choosing one thing to change.

To wrap up this series I thought I would hone in on the how and why of choosing one change you can make today to be more eco-friendly and sustainable!

Why change?

Most of us use, and buy, the things we do because that is what we were brought up using, wearing and/or eating. These things are the ones that are readily available in most stores, and there is a cultural understanding of what they are and how they work, that everyone in our circle knows and accepts.

The problem is that a lot of these ‘conventional’ products were designed with the consumer, and company profit margins, in mind - not the health of our planet.

Very real damage has been done and will continue to be done if we don’t make a change.

Now, am I simplifying this? Yes, totally.

And don’t government and big corporations have to be the ones to make the changes that are needed to save our planet? Yes, most definitely, that is incredibly important.

So, what does it matter where I shop and what I buy? It can’t possibly make a difference to the way things are going?

Now that is where you are wrong.

It can, and it will, make a huge difference. If we continue to invest our money into companies and products that harm the planet, the profit margins will tell those companies that there is no need for change. However, if we invest in businesses and products that care for the environment, and work to protect it, our money will be investing in a better future for our wonderful planet.

Choose one change

There are so many things we need to change about our habits and lifestyles to be more sustainable and eco-friendly as a society. At times I feel like a failure, like I haven’t done nearly enough, not changed anything. Then I remind myself of all the things that are different in my house, of the products I no longer buy, and I remember one by one the great changes I have already made.

I had guests come to stay in my home a few weeks ago. My first guests since getting married and moving to a new flat a month before the world went into lockdown with COVID-19. Having to explain my ‘alternative’ dishwashing soap to them brought home to me the changes I have been able to make and how normal they are to me now.

I was only able to do this, and not get totally overwhelmed in the process, by focusing on one thing at a time. Choosing one thing to change. Working on it. Then moving on to the next, once the previous change was up and running smoothly.

Which one?

If you have been following along with this Beginner Basics series then you will have seen me outline various suggestions of good places to start making changes.

Here are a few of the ideas I have written about in this series:

• Set yourself a goal to work towards on the sustainability spectrum

• Start refusing plastic bags or receipts

• Use up the excess you already have before buying anything new

• Take a refillable water bottle with you and refuse single use plastic bottles

• Recycle rather than bin that paper

• Choose one product to research and replace with a more sustainable alternative

• Pick one area of your home to focus on upgrading with eco-friendly options

If you are struggling to know what to choose or where to start then go with the first thing that comes to mind.

Perhaps there is something that really bugs you (for me it’s plastic) identify that and you will identify what’s important to you. For some people its waste, for others it’s their carbon footprint.

Maybe you just want a more eco-friendly deodorant or shampoo.

Start with something you use, wear or eat everyday. Find a wonderful sustainable alternative and make the change.

Once that has become beautifully integrated into your normal life then try another change.

One change at a time and you will increasingly be investing your time and money into the future of our dear green (and blue) planet earth.