How I Learn To Stop Worrying (And Just Do Something Already)

By: Jillienne Buena (@cityfronds)

New Year’s resolutions are a funny thing… Especially when the world is on fire. 

Make no mistake - it’s always kind of been on fire. But the past few years have hammered in that point pretty hard. Now, the world feels like a runaway dumpster fire filled with an undisclosed amount of explosives.  But let’s start at the start…

I’m Jillienne - a city gal who’s become acutely aware of her unsustainable habits. I love eating out, jetting the world, buying fancy flat whites every day, curating a massive wardrobe, and splashing out on skincare. But even if I were living in a rural area, farming for my food, washing my face with just water, and driving an electric car - I’d still be a far cry from a hunter gatherer living in harmony with the planet. 

So what does it mean to take responsibility for my choices? To lean into the discomfort of reevaluating a life, parsing out what truly makes a difference and what would just make me feel better about being part of a city. Which is basically one big pile of trash making more trash. 

For me, it means “doing good better”. As in, how do I minimize negative impact by picking the better choice? Using reason and data to figure out how to do the most good with what I have, and take actions that better align my way of life to my ideals. 

It’s more complicated than not using plastic straws. 

Because yes, I could drastically cut down on my red meat intake. But experience has ruled out vegetarianism for me, and that sushi I love is likely to be shipped from the Pacific. 

I can thrift and consign and swap all my possessions...but is it realistic for me to give up my phone and my computer?

My plants spark joy, but were they imported from Thailand or grown by workers not given a living wage?

I love soil under my nails and the smell of wet earth. But peat is not a sustainable resource. 

Hence 2020: The Year of Living Sustainably!

Come join me on this journey of untangling my Self, all knotted up in a system we were all born into. This isn’t about drastically changing my life, but about finding those achievable and realistic approaches of moving my habits to a deliberately greener way of living. 

I hope my research binges and mental gymnastics also help you find a sustainable way of living that works for you. 

Be well, plant friends. And have a glorious New Year!!