Worth protecting, isn't it? I took that shot close to Dornie, A87, after leaving the Isle of Skye
This section is much more than just a specific sustainability tip here and there.
Sustainability is a mindset and a way of life.
It starts with you and only you - taking responsibility for your actions and becoming fully aware of their consequences.
The word “sustain” is the integral concept of sustainability. It comes from the Latin word “sustinere,” which means to hold up or maintain. Most of what we hear about is extrinsic sustainability. Extrinsic sustainability is directed toward Mother Earth and other people, and the legacy we are about to leave for those who follow.
The intrinsic sustainability is far more important though, as all change starts with us as individuals. When we don’t live responsibly and are not convinced by our mindsets, how are we to show up authentically to others around us and teach them sustainable ways?
When you lead with the example of “I am totally vegan, but eat fish from time to time,” you will teach others that vegan includes fish and that that is okay. It is not. When you eat fish from time to time, it means that you are a pescatarian, and not a vegan.
That’s why I always make sure to add a number or a slash to how I define my lifestyle. I am 95% vegan, the rest is vegetarian. Or, vegan/vegetarian, which I then turned into vegan-tarian. That’s much more efficient, isn’t it? 🤭
☝ That’s my way of already taking on the smallest responsibility possible. 💪
You could argue here that I could simply call myself vegetarian - but that’s far away from my lifestyle. The general perception is that it includes a shugarload of dairy products and eggs, alongside honey. My lifestyle though is focused on being vegan, and here’s the number again, in 95% of the cases. It also includes everything outside the food category.
Anyhow, taking responsibility is at the core of every mindset that one wants to adopt. It is what makes us better and sets good examples for others to follow.
Extrinsic sustainability has practically everything in common with intrinsic sustainability: It’s about creating and maintaining balance, long-term continuity, support and stamina, and taking responsibility for energy and waste (are you taking care of your energy or are you wasting it?).
YOU need to change first. Then change the outside world.
So, to adopt a sustainability mindset for yourself, which will have an immediate impact on Mother Earth and others, I will be sharing tips with you on how to build new habits, reframe your thinking, and change your perception. I’ll give tips on how to maintain - or sustain - these mindsets over years to come. You will also learn techniques that make it easier to come to terms with compromises that have to be made to achieve a sustainable balance for yourself - something you can live with. (Being vegan but having meat-eating animals, for example)
Nothing is only black or white, good or evil. Everything comes in tons of different shades. ❤
Now, how about you head over to the posts in this category, and start your journey today?
See you on the other side! Isn't this exciting?
With love, compassion, and courage,
Heike
The Sustainalist
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