Scrolling through my Facebook wall (yep, did that), I realised it looks like one of a crazy animal-rights and environmental activist, who will disregard anyone daring to even think differently. I was surprised by that observation, because it was far from the truth, to say the least. As much as I could wish for cruelty-free and sustainable world, I am definitely not an embodiment of those movements. And, however that may sound, that’s good for me.
I’m not vegan, nor even vegetarian. I used to be pescatarian for nearly ten years and then incorporated meat again after graduating high school. To put it lightly, finals were *exhausting* for me, both mentally and physically. I lost a considerable amount of weight in a relatively short period of time. My organism needed easily bioavailable nutrients, and that’s what I provided.
Currently I consume animal products on most days of the week, including poultry, fish, sometimes beef, yoghurts and eggs. My two carnivore dogs also greatly add up to the meat consumption equation in the household.
I’m definitely not zero-waste. I buy stuff in plastic packages, including cosmetics, food and drinks, as well as vitamin supplements. I don’t always have a reusable bag for bread or vegetables and take a plastic one then. I buy new clothes and books, take long showers and drive a car. Not everyday or even very often, yet I definitely do.
I’m also not a minimalist or environmental activist.
At some point I realised, I will not save the World by making myself miserable. Actually, I will most probably not save the World at all. And if I have the power to actually do something, it is within the range of my own life. Hence, I want to take care of it and look after its quality, because that is what I have direct influence on.
I will not save the World by making myself miserable.
In a universal scale, another pile of trash doesn’t mean much. Not even globally. Yet, in the scale of my own universe — my own experiences, feelings, and life — the question “How do I feel?” is main part of the story. So, if I would have to give up my wellness in order not to create demand for more waste-generating products, I am not really up for it. This doesn’t mean I am compulsively buying anything plastic-wrapped, just on the contrary. I pay attention to bringing reusable bags with me, I buy dry food products to my own jars in a zero-waste store etc. However, I find it much easier and also more pleasant — if I am even allowed to use such word here — when done without constant pressure and recurring guilt.
It sounds as if I was explaining myself, which is not my intention (just a little, if anything). I want to depict my train of thoughts regarding following fad trends, including those aiming to help the planet. What I basically do is that I look at myself first — considering how something makes me feel, physically and mentally — and only then making the decision to incorporate this into my daily life. Using previous experiences and reasoning as my guides, rather than underlying, society-driven pangs of conscience.
No apologies (at least not too many).
