Both friends and new acquaintances have been very supportive when I tell them I can only go to restaurants, cafes and bars that don´t use disposable plates, cups and cutlery. In the last 3 months only one person has got angry with me for complicating the plan!
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Entering organised races is a great way to motivate you to keep up exercise. But this year I am going to have to do without, a typical race pack contains about 4 booklets and leaflets and goodies ranging from keyrings to foot spray, as well as the race number, t-shirt and a bag to put it all in.
Hopefully I will be able to motivate myself to run without the pressure of an upcoming event! Not many of the changes I am making this year could be described as glamorous, but taking tissues out of the box and refolding them into a reused pack is probably the furthest I have gone in the other direction.
Tissue and toilet paper usage is something I have decided not to cut out entirely but to cut down on as much as possible, as well as minimising packaging. I have cut out kitchen towel completely, and when I am paying attention I stop them laying my cutlery on a napkin or giving me a pile on my tray (although I admit that sometimes I am distracted and don't notice until it is too late). A lot of people assume that I am doing this to save money, but not only is that not the reason behind it, but I'll probably end up spending more money!
Instead of buying soap etc in Colombia, I had my sister (who is now visiting me) pick up some package free stuff in the UK. Instead of getting take-away food I go for a sit down meal in a restaurant, and when eating in places like the airport I have to head to the fancier eateries. There are always things that I "need" to buy! Among them for the last 2 years were the the socks that don't stick out above your runners. I looked for them in Colombia, but could only find the ones that stick out. I thought I bought some in Ireland last summer but turns out now I have a cm of some bright colour sicking out.
But now this year, when I can't buy them I see them being sold on the side of the street, when I am not even searching for them! The same story with a decent denim skirt (travel essential) and the perfect pair of converse! I am now out of conditioner and moisturiser so embracing coconut oil (the idea that one glass jar is better than a years supply of plastic containers). It was not quite a seamless transition as the internet tells you to rub it into the ends of your hair the night before washing (so some organisation is required).
There is also an issue with the oil being liquid in warm climates and as hard as wax in cold climates, although it is a perfect consistency in Bogotá, so most of the time this won't be a problem! |
For 2016 I am not going to be a waster!I am going to try to buy nothing new: clothes, electronics, home wares, gadgets, souvenirs etc. Archives
December 2016
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