Trying Not to Be a Human Dumpster Fire (AKA My Attempt at Living Sustainably)

Are there things you try to practice daily to live a more sustainable lifestyle?

I’m not out here chaining myself to trees or wearing hemp everything, but I do try to live a little greener when I can. Not because I’m some eco-warrior saint—but because it just makes sense. And honestly, it feels good knowing I’m not completely wrecking the planet every time I make a sandwich or take a shower.

First off, leftovers are king in my house. If it’s in the fridge and not growing mold, it’s getting eaten. I hate wasting food, and with how much groceries cost these days, throwing stuff out feels like lighting cash on fire. I’ve gotten pretty good at throwing together random meals with whatever’s lying around—leftover taco meat, half an onion, and some sad-looking spinach? That’s a burrito, baby.

I also hit up local farmers markets when I can. Not only is the food fresher, but buying local means less transportation pollution. Plus, you’re helping out real people instead of some mega grocery corporation that’s charging $7 for a loaf of bread. Bonus: they usually have killer jams and baked goods that you never knew you needed but suddenly can’t live without.

I’m not a light-leaving-on guy either. If I’m not in the room, the light’s off. It’s a simple habit, but it saves energy—and money. I swapped all my bulbs for LEDs too, which makes me feel way more responsible than I probably am.

As for showers… I try to keep them short. Some mornings I just stand there zoning out like I’m solving world problems, but most of the time, I’m in and out. The hot water bill (and the guilt) keeps me in check.

And I’ve gotten into the habit of checking out thrift shops or online secondhand deals before I buy something new. Half the time, you can find what you need for way cheaper—and it doesn’t come with all the packaging and waste. Plus, older stuff is sometimes better made than the plastic crap they sell now.

So yeah, nothing extreme. Just a few things I do daily that help me feel like I’m not completely contributing to the planet’s downfall. It’s not about being perfect—it’s just about doing what you can, when you can. And hey, every little bit helps, right?