posted by Catherine on Jan 11
Have you decided that this year is going to be the year that you make some changes to your eco life?
I mean, it can be hard to start something new when everyone else is talking about presents, eating and drinking all your favourite things and not working!
Well, now it’s all over, it’s a great time to think back over what we did last year and put together some great ideas for your new year ahead.
It doesn’t matter if you make a great list with loads of stuff on it - even some quite outrageous claims can be on it - as long as it inspires you to try something new and to get out there and challenge yourself to do things you may not ordinarily do.
Things that require a little extra effort from the norm - and aren’t across the other side of the world.
Why can’t you spend an extra few hours a week training for a charity walk? Are you really to busy to put aside a few hours a week for teaching a skill to others at your local college, or a few hours a week volunteering for a local charity?
Just like saving money - if you plan far enough ahead, then you can find the time to do anything you want, and on my list this year there is a little bit of everything.
Even I know that a year has only got 365 days in it - so there is a limit in that sense - but most people forget to use all the time off they have. There is also a frightening number of people who don’t claim their full holiday entitlement from work! Why would you want to be there any longer than you had to when there are so many other things you could put your hand to.
Any Ideas?
How about some of the following to get you started:
Little Effort:
1) Join a local charity that does work or has a centre near you, like a wildlife sanctuary or children’s hospital. Maybe you could plan to visit every other month and learn about what they do.
2) Join a national charity that interests you, like the National Trust or the RSPB. Take part in some of their surveys or activities, and maybe volunteer at a site close to home.
3) Subscribe to a new specialist magazine about something you have always liked but never excelled at, like digital photography or outdoor adventures - maybe find some courses that you could attend to get that ‘hands on’ experience too.
Medium Effort:
1) Put yourself out for others and get involved in more community activities. Find out when the local wildlife groups are going to clear rubbish or scrub from a woodland or beach near you and join in. Find clubs that help the elderly or disabled which need volunteers for coffee mornings or the like, or set one up if you are feeling brave!
2) Re-home a pet this year. Why not see if you could help the numerous animals that are abandoned each year by taking one (or more) into your home. And it doesn’t always need to be a dog - I once took in something as small as a hamster from a shelter and gave him a great home!
3) Teach your family (and yourself) something new this year by taking a short course. Whether it’s a new language, a new skill like cooking or woodwork, taking on an allotment (or your own back yard) to grow veg, learning to identify wildlife, or many of the other courses that are always available at your local colleges and schools.
Huge Effort: (but worth it!)
1) Sign up to a charity trek somewhere challenging like crossing the Sahara or climbing in the Himalayas - and raise money to make a real difference to something you care about. You can choose your charity - but you will need to work out how to raise the several thousand pound you will need to partake - and put some effort in to getting fit enough to complete it. They are very rewarding though!
2) Start changing your home into a more energy efficient and green home by finally researching your eco friendly options for all things new. Starting with your energy suppliers which you can switch to green without too much fuss, and working through your supermarket choices, cars and travel options, cleaning products, electronic products, home furniture and even clothing to replace the old with the new. Now I’m not suggesting change things for the sake of change - I’m just suggesting that when something needs replacing - look for the greener alternative.
3) Change your job to one that is more satisfying! Big old heave-ho here - but why spend day after day in a job just for the money when you are so miserable every day that you never feel like doing anything outside of work! There are many jobs with eco friendly companies, charities, green energy and overseas that could really turn your life around.
Any of those take your fancy?
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