12 ways to a simpler, low-impact life
I suppose most people don’t think they need to think about simplifying their life, but I bet if they look around they’ll be able to find some things they wish they could simplify, or easy things they could do to make their life just a little easier.
- Freecycle. If you have a TV, furniture, a bike, computer parts, books or other things you want to get rid of, try giving it away on Freecycle. Just go to Freecycle.org, sign up for an account, and send a message to the mailing list detailing what you want to give away. People come to your house or flat and just take it away! You don’t have to find a dumpster or vacant lot, deal with trying to sell it, or anything, you don’t even have to deal with transporting it. Similarly, you can look for things that people are giving away, you’d be really surprised what you can find!
- Declutter. This is an extension of step #1, Freecycling helps you declutter or dejunk your house or apartment, but to really get down to it you usually have to be a bit tougher than simply ‘let’s get rid of the old couch on the porch’. Decluttering is generally considered to be getting rid of books you didn’t really enjoy, giving away clothes you haven’t worn in a year, that sort of thing. Why have 2 or 3 comforters/duvets when all you need is 1? You get the idea. Start with one room, or even one part of one room (like the top of your desk instead of the whole desk) and once you get going the decluttering juggernaut is hard to stop!
- Drive a little slower. Obviously this saves money on your fuel bills (watch your fuel mileage rise), but it allows you to see the countryside or city a bit closer than you normally would. Remember the old adage ‘taking time to smell the roses’? I’m lucky in that my drive to work takes me past cow and sheep farms, among other things, so I get to see how the lambs and calves grow up during the year. You can’t experience that if you are always trying to overtake the guy in front or whatever.
- Walk. Instead of driving half a mile to the corner shop, why not walk? We used to walk everywhere when we were kids, and it wasn’t until I got a car that I started putting on weight. Apart from the exercise, walking around your neighborhood also introduces you to the area cats that hang around, you might bump into a neighbor you’ve never spoken with, you make yourself visible to kids that might be hanging around to cause trouble (not that they all do, but hey, some do). It also puts you in touch with the environment around you and who knows, you might find yourself picking up a drink bottle or crisp packet that someone has just tossed on the ground. And then what? You’ve connected with the neighborhood and you’ve started to care a little bit more.
- Drink tap water. It’s been widely reported and long known that bottled water wastes resources (making bottles, transportation of bottles, etc.) and it generally no better for you than normal tap water (unless it’s filtered), so just fill up a used bottle from the sink at home or at work and use that. If you’re really concerned about what’s in your tap water (chlorine, flouride) get a filter pitcher made by Brita or Pur. If you’re really REALLY concerned about Bisephenol A use a Sigg bottle or a glass bottle instead of plastic.
- Take newspaper to the local animal shelter. You get rid of the newspaper and the shelter gets newspaper to line the cages with. You may want to call the shelter first, to make sure they’ll use the newspaper.
- Find a local farmer’s market. Supporting local farmers cuts emissions and helps the local economy, plus you’ll get tastier, healthier food. The nearest farmer’s market to me has loads of organic free range beef, water buffalo and ostrich, plus cheeses, wines, vinegars, plants and other things. It might cost a little more than the slabs of factory-processed foods you get in a typical supermarket but it’s better for you and the animals as well.
- Bring lunch to work with you. Why rush around to find out where everyone wants to eat lunch, then rush out to the car, rush to the restaurant or fast food joint, stand in line, rush to eat lunch, then rush back? Unless you have a 2-hour lunch break or are dining out with your boss you never have the luxury of actually relaxing during lunch. Save loads of money and have healthier meals at the same time. If you want to get away from your desk, use the company lunchroom or find a bench to sit on outside. Or eat in your car, listening to your music.
- Use power strips to shut off stacks of electronics. Even when shut off, everything you plug in uses a bit of electricity. Your TV, receiver, stereo, amplifier and other front room things don’t need to be on when you’re out. Neither does your computer, printer, monitor and other office items. Plug them all into one power strip so you can unplug or switch off one plug instead of several.
- Re-use shopping bags. You don’t have to buy fashion shopping bags or canvas bags or heavy plastic bags, just re-use anything with handles when you go shopping. In Europe it’s very common to use cloth bags for shopping, it’s becoming more common in the UK but is just starting to catch on in the US.
- Switch to direct debit billing and online banking. It’s more convenient, wastes no paper and your bills come out automatically every month. What’s not to love? If you really want to have paper records you can always print out a summary of your account.
- Recycle. Finally, if you can’t re-use anything, drop it in a recycling bin. Glass is infinitely recyclable and just about everything made from plastic has a recycling logo on it.
These tips don’t cost any money and maybe once you try a couple of these things and see how easy it is, you’ll try a couple more. Once you see what difference they make you may want to give another couple of things a chance.
Is there anything you’d add to the list?
Is this list too ‘out there’ for the average person?
What’s your feedback on the site? C’mon, I want to know!
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