As we drifted down the serene waters of the Rio Penas Blancas in Costa Rica, a sense of tranquility enveloped me, and I found myself in my element. What better way to honor Earth Day than to immerse myself in the breathtaking beauty of nature? Reflecting on my commitment to our planet, I recognized that I’ve generally been a good citizen. However, one particular instance stands out as a stark reminder of a past failure.
A few years back, after watching a documentary on National Geographic about the state of our planet, I decided to adopt a zero-waste lifestyle. For those of you who are not familiar, that is when a person generates minimal waste.
Now, to give you a background, I led a pretty sustainable lifestyle before this decision. I recycled religiously, was very careful with water and energy consumption, planned my meals to reduce waste, grew my fruits and vegetables, and did not use any pesticide or herbicide in my yard. I also tried to use natural cleaners in the house and avoided using disposable plates or silverware except for large parties.
I ordered my compost bin and rechargeable batteries, stocked my car with reusable grocery and shopping bags, and decided to buy minimal prepackaged food. I started shopping at our local farmers market and made sure to stick to my grocery list, avoiding impulse buying.
When I embarked on my journey towards a zero-waste lifestyle, I was filled with enthusiasm and determination, but within a week, I realized this was not going to be easy. I was at a restaurant and realized that my takeout meal was coming home in a plastic container. I have always washed and reused them, but my goal was to not use any plastic products from now on. I would also once in a while forget to take my reusable grocery bags, and would feel guilty about getting a paper bag. Same on a rare occasion when I had to buy a water bottle when I was traveling and forgot to bring a reusable one. I refused to use disposable cups, cutlery, and napkins even for large gatherings, but entertaining became difficult.
After three months of strict adherence to the zero waste principles, I found myself feeling overwhelmed and stressed whenever I had to make compromises or deviations from my eco-friendly goals. I realized that I was being too hard on myself, expecting perfection in every aspect of my sustainable journey. Every time I had to purchase a disposable item or encountered resistance from my family in following the guidelines, it created friction and tension in our household. Despite my best intentions, the pressure to maintain a zero-waste lifestyle was taking a toll on my mental well-being and straining my relationships.
Upon reflection, it dawned on me that sustainability is not about achieving perfection but rather about making mindful and intentional choices that align with our values and priorities. With this realization, I made a conscious decision to ease up on myself and my family. Instead of striving for perfection, I focused on doing my best and making progress towards living a more sustainable life. I embraced the idea of “progress over perfection,” understanding that small changes and efforts, no matter how incremental, still make a meaningful difference in the long run.
I learned to celebrate the successes and victories along the way while also acknowledging that setbacks and challenges are inevitable parts of the journey. By adopting a more flexible and compassionate approach to sustainability, I found greater peace of mind and harmony in my daily life and a newfound respect for people who live a zero-waste lifestyle.
Today, I continue to strive towards reducing waste and making eco-conscious choices, which was the driving force behind launching Marigold, an Indian clothing rental company. I no longer allow myself to be consumed by guilt or stress when faced with situations that are less than ideal from a sustainability standpoint. Instead, I focus on learning and growing, understanding that sustainability is a journey, not a destination and that every step forward, no matter how small, brings us closer to creating a better world for future generations.
