Dispatch: Is It Time To Rest Yet?
Getting by in Chicago, leaving you with some sustainability tips
Hey everyone,
I’m in Chicago right now dealing with my mom’s place. It’s been a lot.
I have 164 drafts and 3 books. I don’t know if any of them are viable, but I think it would probably be a good time to catch up on some stuff. Namely, the physical, emotional, and spiritual toils of grief, the immediate and timely nature of having to empty out a loved one’s final possessions by shoving them into trash bags quickly while trying to absorb, reframe, release childhood trauma, and also the nagging and relentless anxiety that I owe people things while knowing I will eventually get around to it.
Anyway, this newsletter serves mostly to give me permission to take a break because I am a workaholic and will not stop, even to my own detriment. Just like any other -holism, I believe in accountability and that is the accountability to my own brain, body, and heart.
Before I skip off, I’ve been thinking about the planet recently and sustainability as a lifestyle. I’ve noticed a lot of people are relegated to conveniences and sometimes need the nudge to remember there are small ways to make an impact and we should all be doing that at all times. These are not life changing tips, but they’re helpful and practical reminders and the type of advice we should be sharing.
That includes:
Buy reusable bags and remember to bring them to the grocery store. We need to stop relying on so much plastic so companies are less inclined to buy them and we are therefore less inclined to waste them by polluting the environment. I know it seems counterintuitive to suggest nylon bags, but they really do hold up the best and some of the companies use 100% recycled ripstop nylon that is actually better for the environment by using existing materials. (I like to fold mine up so it goes back in the little carrying bag that I keep tossed into my purse at all times!).
Bringing a reusable mug to the coffee shop. Not only will this save you money, but reduces the waste single use containers. It’s nice to think we’re being green and recycling by separating our waste and all, but realistically this is not the case. It’s sad to think about, but every time you are doubling what goes into a landfill.
Use cloth napkins, towels, rags, and reduce the use of paper towels. I have been moving to cloth napkins that not only save me money on paper goods and prevent more disposable paper going into the waste bin, but it also feels better and is more durable.
Do a clothing/book swap or join a community free-cycle. I hope I see a lot of these this summer!
Support your local library. Even at least once!
Petition your leaders to give a damn about the environment. We’ve removed EPA restrictions while our planet burns. It’s getting hotter every year as the climate moves through extremes and everyone needs to chill out. That can be on the local level, the state level, or federal level. Any of those are good because they all have environmental problems, so just pick a cause — any cause.
Visiting a State or National Park. International tourism is expensive and bad for the planet. Try to stay local when you can, but consider visiting a National or State Park this summer to support their efforts.
I know a lot of really great people who are sustainability-minded, but some of us need the reminder or the idea if we’ve even tried. Part of sustainability is education, even if that sometimes feels repetitive. Hoping to see more flowers this summer <3
Carly