New Year's resolutions can sometimes be a challenge to keep. We tend to become ambitious at the beginning of the New Year - full of hope for a fresh start, and as life gets in the way we can often lose momentum. Instead of setting yourself lofty goals that will often lead to failure, try implementing a few simple lifestyle changes that focus on healthier, more sustainable living overall.
Here are 5 simple things you can start doing today, to make for a greener New Year:
1. Reduce household waste by composting
There are a few ways to go about this, but it does not have to be complicated. If you have a lot of land and are an avid gardener, making your own compost is a no-brainer. You can start up a pile at the far end of your backyard or invest in more sophisticated solutions like a self-contained layered vermicompost bin.
However, even if you are just starting out, there are simpler solutions that work well for regular households and that do not require a ton of space. Check out our Instagram Reel below that shows you how to start your own compost quickly and easily in a convenient tumbler:
2. Let your lawn go wild
Keeping a perfect lawn is one of the least sustainable things you can do. All that mowing and watering to ensure your grass is always green can be a waste of valuable resources to say the least.
Consider planting some native shrubs, or some wildflowers around your home to attract much needed pollinators. Doing so will not only help your own garden grow, but will help pollinator populations to thrive in your neighborhood. Contributing to this important cause even on a small scale can help in ways we may not even imagine.
It is a growing trend to transition a patch of lawn into a lower-maintenance "wild" patch or mini-meadow. It will save you time and money, and add a burst of color and whimsy to your curb appeal.
3. Start growing at least ONE staple food (or herb) at home
You don’t need much space to garden. In fact, even if all you have is a balcony, you can get yourself some great containers for small-scale growing (check out this easy and convenient GardenSoxx growing system that allows you to garden pretty much anywhere).
Start by choosing ONE vegetable or herb that you use most often, and focus on growing just enough so that you do not have to purchase it anymore. You may find a love for gardening in the process – and decide to expand to more options as time goes on.
If you do have space to garden, then start the year by doing some intentional planning for a vegetable garden. Being outdoors in the garden is proven to lower stress and anxiety and allows you to soak in essential Vitamin D and boost your immune system by exposing your body to natural microbes in the soil.
4. Eliminate chemical inputs
We can all benefit from reducing our exposure to chemicals and the garden is a great place to start. While many of us may be used to solving garden pest problems with insecticides, consider other solutions that do not cause harm to either the environment or your own health.
We may also be tempted to use fertilizers in the garden out of convenience, but studies are showing more and more that fertilizer use can be problematic to our own health and can lead to poor soil health in the long run. Even in the agriculture industry, there is a growing movement to reduce fertilizer use and move toward more natural solutions instead. You can support this movement on a smaller scale by adopting the same principles to your garden and using natural soil amendments instead of chemical inputs.
5. Find ways to connect with the natural world
Create a tranquil green space around your home by setting out some bird baths and feeders, or simply start caring for a few houseplants to brighten up the inside of your home during the winter months. Consider adopting more natural solutions to life’s common ailments.
Finding a balance in your life that incorporates the natural world can do wonders for your body and your stress levels. Our modern lifestyles can be hectic and can often pull us away from nature; being able to recreate that balance even in small ways can provide a ton of benefits to our health and well-being.
Many of us resolve to be healthier when the New Year comes around - whether it is cutting out a bad habit we have adopted, or lose weight by implementing a new diet or workout routine. But living a healthier life does not have to come with so much pressure and restrictive goals. Implementing a few simple lifestyle changes that allow us to live more in alignment with the world around us can have incredible benefits, both on a personal and collective level.
May this New Year bring you positive changes, whether big or small, that move you steadily toward a happier and healthier life overall!
