Living Sustainably Can Be Joyful
Sustainability doesn’t have to feel restrictive or overwhelming. We can all take steps to reduce our environmental impact without becoming off-grid homesteaders who give up cheese (though if that’s your thing, more power to you!). The belief that you have to go “all in” often holds us back from making any changes at all.
Instead, let your personal needs and values guide your eco-friendly journey. Building sustainable habits is much easier when they’re rooted in what matters most to you.
At Green Guardians, my mission is simple: to help you find joy in sustainable living.
Whether you’re a passionate home cook cutting back on meat, or someone who donates to animal charities but still struggles to figure out recycling bins, you’re welcome here. Wherever you are on your journey, I’m here to share ideas, offer tips, or lend a (virtual) shoulder for those “vegan ice cream isn’t the same” moments.
My Journey to Low Impact Living
I was the kid who carefully carried bugs outside and cried at the zoo because the animals seemed unhappy. Like many, I cared about the environment but didn’t know what to do beyond recycling and the occasional donation.
When climate change started making headlines, I felt deeply concerned—but also powerless. What could I possibly do that would make a real difference?
There wasn’t a dramatic turning point for me, just a series of small steps that added up. After university, my husband and I moved across the U.S. with nothing but a tiny U-Haul and each other. For months, we lived with minimal furniture, ate from hand-me-down plates, and spent weekends walking in a local park. It was a lesson in how little “stuff” we actually needed to feel happy.
In 2020, we took this minimalist mindset further, selling our house and most of our belongings to move to Tennessee. Everything we kept fit into our checked luggage. Since then, we’ve been mindful about bringing anything new into our lives—I even held out five months before deciding we needed a microwave!
A year later, a chance encounter with a cow during a glamping trip led me to stop eating beef. That small step turned me into a flexitarian, and I’ve been reevaluating my choices ever since.
Today, I’m more intentional about how I shop, cook, and consume. I plan meals to avoid food waste and research sustainable products before replacing broken or used-up items.
Am I a zero-waste, plastic-free pro with an entirely organic wardrobe? Not yet. I still have a long way to go, and that’s okay. sustainable living is about progress, not perfection. There’s always a new goal to work toward—and that’s what makes this journey so rewarding.