How To Stay Motivated On Your Sustainability Journey

Intermittently, you might feel you aren’t doing enough, and your contributions towards sustainability don’t count. This might make you give up on your journey, but pause a minute, breathe, ponder, and get back on track. 

Being sustainable throughout your life might seem unrealistic but it gets easier with optimism. If you are struggling to stay motivated in your journey to sustainability, some of these tips will surely help you.

1) Remind Yourself Of Your Sustainable Contributions

1. We do not appreciate ourselves like we appreciate others. If we did that the world would’ve been a better place.

2. It’s important to remember that you are creating a positive impact on the environment by being sustainable. No matter how trifle it might seem to you, every contribution is changing the planet for the better.

3. According to statistics, an average American creates 220 pounds of plastic waste every year.

4. Even if you manage to generate only half of the plastic waste, it will create a macro-scale impact on nature.

5. The best option is to start small and then move on to taking larger decisions. This will keep you from being overwhelmed.

2) Use sustainability apps

The most practical way to stay put in your sustainability journey is by using apps that guide you to make better choices. Some of these apps include-

1. BikeMap-

• This app shows you cycling paths to your destination so that you don’t need to use your car.
• Reducing carbon emission is a great way to start being sustainable and this app will help you do that.

2. Think Dirty- 

• It is the best app for those who are conscious of their self-care and beauty products. Think Dirty allows you to scan the ingredients label of any product and rates it according to the safety level.
• For instance, brands like True Botanicals, PURC Organics, and Weleda will have better ratings due to the presence of natural and organic ingredients.
• This app will also inform you of the brands that are cruelty-free and let you make informed decisions.

3. Good On You- 

• This app informs you about sustainable clothing brands. The app has a list of over 1000 brands so that you can get the correct information before making any purchase. 
• Just search for any brand, and you will get a rating depending on the quality of clothes and the ethics of that brand. 

These apps can be a great start if you are wary of purchasing anything you are not sure about. There are a lot of other apps that cater to different categories and will keep you motivated.

3) Participate in sustainable activities with your friends and family

1. At times, it might feel like a burden to do everything on your own.

2. While being sustainable is a personal choice, you can ask your friends or family if they wish to join you. There is always a possibility that you will find at least one person who shares the same principles as yours. 

3. When you find the individual who is living a sustainable lifestyle or wishes to get started, team up!

4. Here are a few things you can do together and stay motivated-

• Set tiny goals and complete them within a period.
• Keep updating each other on important developments that will help the world be more sustainable and greener.
• Support each other and share your journey to going Green.
• Find common inspirations to keep the motivation amped up.

5. Every journey gets more exciting when your loved ones are in it. Involving other members will not only keep you energized but also have a cumulative effect on the environment.

4) Reward yourself for being even remotely sustainable

1. The human mind works best when it is rewarded for its actions.
2. Rewarding yourself with something green will not only make you happy but also benefit the environment. For instance, you can plant a seed of your favorite plant and watch it grow.  
3. Remember to pick rewards that do not derail your motives. Like, planting trees and rewarding yourself with packet food (which is not only unhealthy but also contains plastic).
4. Even rewarding others isn’t a bad option after all. People are attracted to incentives and will gladly flow into the sustainability journey. It is a win-win situation.
5. If you want to treat yourself, you can prepare tasty vegan recipes that will change your mood for the better.  

You are doing your best!

Sustainability is a long chapter that might take a little time to learn. Choosing to be sustainable is in itself a great step. These little tips shall help you be productive and enable you to be the best version of yourself.