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Don’t Get Overwhelmed

Submitted by Mike on Tuesday, June 17, 20087 Comments

overwhelmedI think one of the most important tips anyone can share when it comes to trying to b environmentally friendly and sustainable is to avoid getting (as Dunja Woods @ Simple Ways To Help calls it) “eco-overwhelm”. It’s very easy to receive so much information that you begin wondering where to start, and what to do next. Before you know it there is so much you want to do that you begin seeing negative affects on your own life because you want to do everything in an eco way.

Dunja wrote a great set of steps to Overcome Feelings of Eco-Overwhelm, but I think the best summary of it all is that you need to focus on individual tasks and don’t be afraid to say no. Unfortunately there are some things that you just can’t do. Maybe its something you’ll be able to do in the future, but don’t feel bad because you can’t do everything green right away. Focus on one aspect of green living at a time and before you know it everything will fall into place.

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7 Comments »

  • Hun Boon said:

    You’re quite right, it can seem overwhelming at times. I would say start with the easiest things first e.g. changing to energy efficient light bulbs. Then slowly move on to the harder bits, which require changes to our lifestyle.

    After all, every little bit helps!

    - 18 June 2008 at 5:39 am
  • Liz said:

    You are so right if we do one thing green it sure will help. Great blog

    - 18 June 2008 at 3:29 pm
  • Djuna Woods said:

    Great blog! Thanks for mentioning my post.

    I have been thinking a lot about eco-overwhelm and I think a big part of the problem is that green is the new gold. Companies are jumping on the green bandwagon and slapping a green label on their products and initiatives as a way to drive customers to their products. The more green campaigns we see the more green fatigue we experience. I worry that the true green message is going to get lost in this torrent of advertising campaigns.

    - 18 June 2008 at 4:59 pm
  • Mike (author) said:

    Thanks Everyone!

    Djuna, I’ve been thinking about starting a site where people can post different “green campaigns” they’ve found and then people can vote if it’s legit or just a greenwashing tactic. Something to add to my list.

    - 18 June 2008 at 5:45 pm
  • Djuna Woods said:

    Mike, that is a great idea. I see more greenwashing every day. Here is an article which lists 10 of them http://EzineArticles.com/?id=1252775

    - 18 June 2008 at 5:53 pm
  • Mike (author) said:

    I’m sure someone will beat me to it, but no matter what I think it would work well.

    - 19 June 2008 at 10:35 pm
  • betchai said:

    thanks for sharing this very valuable info about eco-overwhelmed. as what you have put it, just one happy green-step at a time.

    - 4 September 2008 at 12:06 pm

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