I as much as the next Gen Z’er care about how my actions affect the planet. I've already written about that though.
I’d like to explore a broader approach—sustainability as a lifestyle, not an action.
I pray no one is ever in this situation, but it’s one we all know the scenario of: a plane going down.
When those masks drop, we all know to put ours on first. Then help others. If we aren’t safe, the safety of others is not guaranteed.
If there’s a dangerous situation and someone needs help, you gotta make sure you’re in the clear; otherwise it’s just two lives at stake.
Extreme examples, but they illustrate the point: put yourself first. How could you possibly ensure that the other person, let alone the planet, is in a good position if you are not?
This touches on a post where I briefly explored taking a rest for yourself is actually for others. You’re rejuvenating so that you can give your best when it’s needed.
This all loosely comes back to being sustainable. Creating the appropriate inflow and outflow so that things (to some extent) remain constant. We’ll never get it perfect, but we can balance it.
I’m not sure where I read this quote, but it goes something along the lines of:
Don’t quit on the dream because it’s going to take a lot of time. That time is going to pass anyway.
Time and sustainability are connected. To achieve a sustainable outcome, it needs to be proven over time. Many of us have grand ideas, hopes or dreams of what we want to do. But going 110% at them is never going to work. Insanely inspired and motivated, we exhaust ourselves within weeks. The moment we hit a bump in the road, our motivation and inspiration flies out our metaphorical window because we were travelling too fast to contain everything.
This encapsulates what I wrote about at the beginning of 2022 – don’t stop, just slow down.
A constant steady pace is what we’re after. Not speeds and stoppages. They require a more precise effort that can be tumbled at any moment. Any small bump throws you off-course. With a steady pace, you can veer left or right and still come back to the track you need to be on.
You get the point.
If you feel there’s something happening right now that’s just draining you, or you feel put-off by the thought of it, how can you create a sustainable approach to it? Perhaps this is a side project, a relationship or even trying to lose some weight.
Staying up till 2am each night working on that project is just going to burn you out. What can you get done in 15 minutes?
Relationships can be tough – a friend, work colleague or partner can be a lot of time investment. Can you meet their needs at the moment? Are you spreading yourself thin trying to be a people pleaser? Perhaps some personal R&R is in order.
And please, don’t go on a ‘shake’ diet. Or begin skipping meals and going on fad-diets. How can you continue to enjoy what your indulgences whilst becoming a healthier version of yourself? Is it getting more walking in each day? Cutting back on that biscuit with your tea?
Approach your problem areas with sustainability in mind, and things will begin to slot together. And be prepared to deem something unsustainable—not all things can be put into a healthy system.
Stay safe and pass-it-on.