Green Concepts

April is 🌏

It may still be a challenge to commune with nature as we recover from the effects of the pandemic.

So, this Earth Month, we embrace the theme ‘Invest in our Planet’ to promote making sustainable changes to our lifestyle which essentially reconnects us to the beauty of life.

What acts of kindness can you do for our Mother Earth? 🌱

“𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘪𝘳, 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘶𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦.” - Annie Dillard

Reading, they say, is also a form of meditation. It triggers some of the same effects as meditation: a slowing of thoughts and calming of the mind, reduced heart rate and a heightened ability to focus.

This may be why reading is my major stress reliever. When I read after a long tiring day, it relaxes me. However, it does not make me sleepy like it does to some.

It has the same effect to me as mindfulness exercises, it makes my mind more alert and active, and gets me "in the zone". I have this ability to really focus on what I am reading, and forget about everything else around me. (This is also why I can stay up all night reading, I just can't put the book down, particularly if it's an exceptionally good read!)

Nowadays, because of a busy schedule, I only get to read 1 to 2 chapters each night. However, I make sure that it's always part of my daily (or nightly) routine, not just to curb stress, but also to ensure that I am continuously learning.

How about you? Is reading part of your daily routine? What effect does reading have on you? 💚

What does it mean to "be happy in the moment"?

For me, it means appreciating the sunrise, smiling at the sound of a child's laughter, savoring the first bite off a burger, feeling the cold February air tease my skin, feeling the warmth travel through my body as I sip my morning coffee. It's appreciating a warm hug, and a comforting kiss on the forehead. It means cherishing a mundane, ordinary activity with a loved one.

It means putting down our phones and gadgets and giving our undivided attention to everything that is happening to us and around us.

For someone who easily gets distracted, this is particularly challenging. However, when I lost a dear friend last year, I realized that life is indeed short.

Each moment is fleeting. Not one moment can be repeated nor duplicated. There are no do-overs.

We need to live fully in each moment. To be fully awake, to be mindful of each detail.

May we never have any reason to regret not paying enough attention, to the things, the people, the experiences, that are truly important.

How about you? What does being happy in the moment mean for you? 🌻

Have you experienced buying something that seemed exciting at first, then months after, when you declutter, you wondered why you ever bought it in the first place?

If you did, then you are one of millions who make purchases out of a whim.

One good thing this pandemic, we are forced to stay at home (most of the time) and we are able to reflect on the things that are really important.

That's what I love about decluttering. It gives me an opportunity to make an audit of the things I own, and reflect on the things I really need. It also makes me more mindful of what I'll be purchasing next time I go to the mall or browse online.

How can you be a more mindful shopper? Really think about what you are buying. Will it make you happy, (I'm talking about long-term happiness, and not a short-lived one). Does it serve a purpose? Could you purchase a similar item that serves multiple purposes? Is it made of good quality?

These are just some of the questions we need to ask ourselves when shopping. After all, you wouldn't want to end up with another pair of shoes you won't be using, or another planner you won't be writing on. 😉

What are some of the mindful purchases you made recently? Mine are shampoo bars! Feel free to share yours below! 🌻💚

Have you experienced "pangat"?

"Pangatlong init" because you had so many leftover food that you had to reheat it 3 times (sometimes more).

Or worse, you had to throw it away because you just can't eat another meal of sinigang for the nth time?

We think that it's okay to throw away food because it is biodegradable, and not as harmful as plastic wastes.

WRONG.

Wasted food has environmental, economic and social implications. When you waste food that could have been eaten, you are also wasting the natural and human resources that were used to grow, produce, process and transport that food.

Wasted food that ends up in the garbage, and ultimately the landfill, produces methane—a greenhouse gas that is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. It’s estimated that 7% of greenhouse gases produced globally are due to preventable food waste. (Source: https://changeforclimate.ca/story/the-problem-of-food-waste)

So how do we prevent this? By cooking only what our household can consume. Pay attention to the amount of food your family eats each meal. Plan ahead. Make the necessary adjustments.

Have a great lunch! 💚

Stay tuned for more daily mindful, minimal habits! 🌱

Be grateful.

Possibly the most basic rule in being a minimalist.

How can we manage to live with less? By being content with what we have. By being grateful.

Look at the things you currently have. Is there something missing? Do you need more to be truly happy?

Or are your things enough for you to live freely and intentionally?

Have a great morning! 🌻

Have you ever been curious about the Minimalism movement? Do you believe that it's just a trend or is it something we should seriously consider?

I have been curious about this lifestyle since I've seen "The Minimalists" documentary on Netflix, and of course, Marie Kondo's life-changing tidying tips.

I am, admittedly, a hoarder. I collect stuff such as notebooks, pens, clothes, accessories, books, and other trinkets. Since I started to be more mindful of what I throw away, it became more difficult for me to dispose stuff.

I feel guilty throwing away stuff such as empty cardboard boxes, plastic containers, plastic and glass bottles, etc. So I keep them in hopes of possibly reusing them. However, they accumulate pretty quickly until I'm left with little to no storage space, and a visible clutter that irritates me to no end.

I realized that the only solution I have is to lessen my stuff. Of course, I need to do this responsibly, like book pick-ups of the recyclables and sell or donate some of my clothes, shoes, bags, books, etc.

Then I have to practice Minimalism. I know that I have to be more mindful of the things I buy from now on, so I am not left with the problem of disposing stuff I don't need or use anymore.

I believe that Minimalism and Sustainability are two overlapping concepts. Both focus on reduced consumption of goods. If we buy less, then we save more money.

I know Minimalism enthusiasts might tell me that it is more than how I described or understood it. I know some even take it to the extreme.

However, I do believe that, just like in living a Zero-Waste Lifestyle, no one can do it perfectly. What's important is, you are taking steps, no matter how small, to be more mindful of your impact on the planet. (Even if you are doing it for personal reasons, it doesn't hurt that it also helps the environment.)

How about you? Are you practicing Minimalism? How? If not, what stops you from doing this? I'd love to hear your thoughts. 💚

This page had been stagnant for a couple of months and I thought I lost all motivation to continue with my advocacy. However, because of YOU, you who continue to browse through previous posts, you who send me messages, asking for advice on zero-waste lifestyle, or just to simply share a post you've seen about the environment, you who continue to like and share my posts, THANK YOU! 🌻

I promise to continue to create quality content to boost environmental awareness and to campaign for mother earth. 💚🌏

CHEERS!