Being Sick / Travels

Waste – easy solution

The last few days, I’ve travelled on a short plane ride and back. And I’ve been sick, sick, sick.

Being aware of my lack of preparedness has been interesting. I didn’t take a reusable water bottle on my trip: so i had several small cups of water on my plane ride. What a waste! An easy solution.

At my friend’s house, she had paper plates and plastic cups. I used the paper plate, then realized what I was doing, and asked to use a glass cup instead.

I’ve noticed eating in at places – such as Panera – are much better for waste purposes than rapid express pick up. I love how quick it is, and that I don’t have to speak to anyone, but… the waste may keep me from doing this more often.

I brought silverware to work. I hate washing dishes, for whatever reason, but I’ve been making myself do it anyway. I need to bring a plate to work still. I have everything else.

Being prepared seems to be the number one thing. Going to work on that. I hope. I tend to be known for starting things like this and never finishing them or following through- but the more I read about plastics, the more I know we need to make changes.

Reading: Our Plastic Legacy – Geordie Wardman (kindle unlimited – was able to get 3 months for 99 cents. this ebook is a quick read)

Prep: Day Two

Today I unsubscribed from stores in my email inbox. No more Kohl’s, Macys, JCP, etc. I don’t need more clothes: and I don’t need new. When I need something later, I’ll figure it out then.

Set yourself up for success, right? Temptations are being limited this way.

My mom also called about my birthday coming up. She said she was just going to buy me junk at kohls if I didn’t give her a list. I told her to look through thrift stores instead – if she must. She complained about me trying not to have excess…. oh mom, lol. Said it made it hard for her to shop for me. But my mom likes thrift stores, so oh well. She didn’t seem to mind too much after her initial shock.

Inventory: Day One

As I scroll through Zero Waste blogs, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Reusable toilet paper?! God, at what cost. It’s also easy to let this become another thing that I buy all the supplies for and then let sit on my dresser.

So I do a quick inventory of self, much help from this blog: A Beginner’s Guide

What do I currently need? What am I out of? Mainly, body soap/body wash. Even then, I have a bar I can use. It seems to be that it’s important to use up what I have. Buy as needed. So I’m keeping a list in my notebook.

I’d say a main habit to change swiftly is reusable water on the go. I have a reusable Starbucks cup that I keep at work, which is where I consume most of my water. I’m part of the water club at work. At home, I have a brita that I use fairly religiously. Cool. Rad. Yet – I go out to eat quite a bit. Perhaps it could be useful to keep a container for on-the-go?

I’m also already doing some things with low or no waste, which was kinda cool to see. It’s all new to me. I grew up on the lower income side, always getting cheap options for things to throw away. We reuse what we could, but that was very little. Also, the world is always changing and adding new things to it.

• Stainless steel straw
• Reusable pads
• Reusable water container for work
• Laundry detergent in a reusable container
• Dryer balls for laundry
• ATTEMPTING diva cup (a process)
• Using veggie scraps to make veggie broth
• Choosing more plant-based meals

So it’s a little pat on the back, but moreso a reminder that this isn’t brand new to me. :)