Things We Can Do To Help The Environment

Okay, let's be honest. Saving the planet can feel like a HUGE chore. Like cleaning your entire apartment after a party you swore wouldn't get out of hand.

But what if it wasn't so… intense? What if we could help Mother Earth while still enjoying our lives? I have a few ideas. Some might even be a little… unpopular.

Embrace the Imperfectly Delicious

We all have that wilting head of lettuce in the fridge. It's staring back at us. Judging us. We think, "Ugh, salad's out."

My unpopular opinion? Roast that sucker! Seriously. Drizzle it with olive oil and seasonings. It's surprisingly tasty. Embrace those slightly sad vegetables!

Don't let that banana get too brown, either. Banana bread is your friend. In fact, it's everyone's friend! It's like a hug in baked good form. Seriously, banana bread.

Shopping: Quantity is not your friend

Supermarkets are a minefield of temptation. We're lured in by deals! Buy one, get one free! Stock up and save!

But honestly, how much of that "saved" food ends up in the trash? My unpopular opinion? Buy less. It's okay. Really!

Plan your meals. Make a list. Stick to it. Your wallet (and the planet) will thank you. Resist the siren song of the bulk aisle.

Become a Clothes Whisperer

Fast fashion is, well, fast. And often not very good for the environment. We're talking mountains of discarded textiles.

Here's my unpopular take: learn to love your clothes. Mend those tears! Patch those holes!

Learn basic sewing. Or, even better, find a local tailor. They're miracle workers. They can transform that old dress into something new and fabulous.

The Art of the Re-Gift

Gasp! I said it! Re-gifting! It's practically a social taboo. We’re supposed to cherish every single present, even that ceramic frog from Aunt Mildred.

But if you know someone who would genuinely love that frog... why not? My unpopular opinion? Re-gifting is resourceful and practical. Just don't let Aunt Mildred find out.

Be mindful. Re-gifting is not the equivalent of dumping unwanted items on unsuspecting friends. But, with careful consideration, it's a win-win for everyone.

Ditch the Gadget Upgrade Obsession

New phone! New tablet! New smartwatch! It's a never-ending cycle. The tech companies want us to believe we need the latest and greatest.

But do we, really? My unpopular opinion? Hold onto your gadgets for longer. Way longer. Seriously, use that thing until it dies! Think of the e-waste!

If your phone is still working fine, resist the urge to upgrade just because the new model has a slightly better camera. Your Instagram photos are already filtered to oblivion anyway!

Embrace the Power of Shorter Showers

Long, hot showers are heavenly. Especially after a stressful day. It's like a personal spa experience.

However, all that water usage isn't that heavenly. My unpopular opinion? Shorter showers are okay! You don't need to prune up like a raisin.

Try timing yourself. You might be surprised at how long you're actually in there. A few minutes less can make a big difference. Plus, your water bill will thank you.

The Joy of Public Transportation (or Bikes!)

Traffic jams are the worst. Sitting in your car, fuming, while slowly inching forward. It's a soul-crushing experience.

My unpopular opinion? Consider public transportation. Or, even better, a bike! Okay, maybe not in a blizzard, but you get the idea.

It's exercise! It's a chance to read a book! It's a way to avoid parking hassles! Plus, you're reducing your carbon footprint. Think of it as a moving meditation… or a chance to people-watch.

Composting: It's Not As Gross As You Think

Composting can seem intimidating. Visions of smelly, rotting food scraps dancing in our heads. It's enough to make anyone cringe.

But it doesn't have to be! My unpopular opinion? Composting can be surprisingly… satisfying. Really.

Invest in a good compost bin. Learn the basics. Soon you'll be turning food waste into nutrient-rich soil for your garden. It's like magic! And it's a great way to reduce landfill waste.

Talk about it (Without Being Annoying)

Preaching to people about saving the planet is a surefire way to make them tune you out. Nobody likes being lectured. We know this is the hard part.

My unpopular opinion? Share your own experiences. Talk about what you're doing. Be enthusiastic, not judgmental. Just be real about it.

If you bring banana bread to a potluck, mention that you made it with overripe bananas. If you're rocking a patched-up jacket, tell people where you got it fixed. Lead by example. Let your actions speak louder than your words.

Unplug, and really unplug.

Phantom loads from plugged in electronics that are never turned on? Really? Seems like a small problem.

My unpopular opinion? Small changes add up. Pull the plug to any chargers or kitchen equipment that are unused.

Even your TV and soundbar are just sitting in standby mode sucking power.

Water Bottle Wars!

I know you hate this one, but really you know it's the right thing to do!

My unpopular opinion? Single use water bottles are an environmental disaster.

Invest in a good, reusable water bottle. Fill it up. Carry it with you. You'll save money and reduce plastic waste. And you can decorate it with stickers! It's a win-win-win!

Get Political (a little bit)

Politics can be a messy business. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless.

My unpopular opinion? Contact your elected officials. Let them know that you care about environmental issues. It is important to have your voice heard.

Support politicians who are committed to protecting the environment. Vote with the planet in mind. Every little bit helps.

Grow something

Don't have a big yard? No problem!

My unpopular opinion? You don't need a huge garden to grow your own food! Plant herbs and veggies in pots.

Enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor. Plus, you'll reduce your reliance on the supermarket. It's a small step towards self-sufficiency. Go green!

It's All About Balance

I'm not saying we all need to become eco-warriors overnight. The goal here is simply to reduce your overall footprint.

The important thing is to make small, sustainable changes that you can stick with. My unpopular opinion? Imperfect sustainability is better than no sustainability. Be kind to yourself.

So, go forth and embrace the imperfectly delicious. Re-gift with confidence. And maybe, just maybe, take a shorter shower. The planet (and your wallet) will thank you.