As the clock strikes midnight and a new year begins, the tradition of making resolutions is alive and well. For many people, a commitment to self-improvement, from going to the gym more often to reading a book a month, feels like a new start. in fact, 3 in 10 Americans Trying to set New Year’s resolutions in the top five areas of countless self-care practices and goals, including working on your health, improving your finances, spending more time on your relationships, pursuing a hobby, and advancing your career. These are the people who are there.
But for some, there’s another resolution that’s even more important: reducing their environmental footprint. Reducing energy consumption, adopting a completely plant-based diet, going completely plastic-free, or even trying a zero-waste lifestyle are all laudable ideas, but most of us cannot maintain this extreme level of sustainability. a 2024 survey The American Psychological Association (APA) found that more than half of Americans (53%) feel that climate change is affecting their mental health. This manifests as a phenomenon known as climate anxiety. While individuals experience some level of concern and anxiety about the effects of climate change, they are faced with the recurring feeling of not knowing where to start or what to do to help.
As we enter the new year with lofty goals for going green, there’s an unpleasant reality we must face. Our resolutions often break because we lack motivation, feel overwhelmed, or simply don’t see results right away. There is a day marked for giving up hopeful New Year’s resolutions called “Quitter’s Day.” It’s named after the second Friday of the year because it’s the day most people let go of the high expectations they place on themselves.
What’s the point in overwhelming yourself to the point of failure? It’s definitely not sustainable. What if we lowered the bar a little and tried something new, something imperfect, that would be effective and long-lasting? Setting realistic, achievable goals and developing strategies to stay motivated will greatly increase your chances of success. For example, consider ditching plastic cutlery in the first place by keeping reusable alternatives in your car or bag. Try doing the same thing with a reusable water bottle, or try making coffee at home and using a reusable tumbler. Perhaps even changing 40% of your diet to plant-based could make a big difference per year. Research conducted by the University of Michigan. To start, you can commit to commuting to work three times a week by public transportation or carpooling with a friend. Indeed, these ideas are more doable than the “all-or-nothing” mentality many of us have, and even support the number one goal most people have: saving money, so it’s a win-win for both parties. It is advantageous for
This idea of perfection is not only unrealistic; I’m paralyzed. Fear of failure, or fear of not meeting the standards that social media influencers and society deem “good enough,” is the beginning of what I call “imperfect environmentalism.” . What we really need is the participation of the vast majority of people, wherever they start, in tackling the environmental crisis. It’s not that a few people do it perfectly and sometimes try to make others feel like they’re not doing enough.
We all have a role to play, and starting somewhere is a good step forward. By recognizing the power we have as a collective population of this precious planet, we can change the idea that too many of us are just one person. can. From the wise words of Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that will ever exist.”
So this new year, let’s re-evaluate our resolutions through the lens of imperfection. You may be surprised that they last much longer throughout the year, and maybe even evolve into a new habit or two.
About the author
Sheila Mikhail Morovaty is the author of the book The Imperfect Environmental Activist: How to Reduce Waste and Create Change for a Better Planet Founder and President of habits of wasteis an environmental nonprofit organization focused on reducing waste and working to create collective change and impactful policy for a healthier, more sustainable future.
