5 Impactful Ways to Live a More Sustainable Lifestyle

Dear readers,

it’s Bethanny! So, since many of you enjoyed my article on sustainable travel, I have decided to expand this topic and hook you up with 5 more tips on how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. These tips are really simple and I am actually trying to implement them as much as possible as well. I don’t just want preach these tips, I also want practice it as well. How about making these changes together with me? Would you be interested to participate? If you are, continue reading and let’s hop on this journey together!

1. Getting Married? Having a party? Switch to Paperless Post!

Have you ever thought about the paper invitations that you send out to the hundreds of guests attending your event? Let me hit you with the truth: they most likely end up in the trash bin. So, instead of wasting paper and money on invitations, consider switching to digital invitations such as Paperless Post.

A few weeks ago I was contacted and asked if I wanted to test and review Paperless Post. Honestly, I’ve never heard about it before. It turns out that Paperless Post creates digital cards and invitations for birthdays, weddings, parties, fundraisers…YOU NAME IT! They have it all! Managing your designs and recipients is also super easy because they also have a Mobile App as well.

Design wise, the site offers both free and paid designs. If you’re interested on purchasing, you will use coins and most of the paid designs start from 2 coins. When you sign up for a new account you will be able to get 25 coins for free, which is great for new comers because this means they can play around and try out for awhile. Once you are ready to commit, you can purchase more coins in the future. It’s that simple!

Honestly, I have never been one to consider digital invitations because of the social stigma about digital invites. People make digital invites sound like a forbidden thing. But, Paperless Post made me change my mind. In the end, I spent hours and hours playing with imaginary events just because I really loved their designs. Also, why should I be embarrassed of digital invitations if it actually can help me live a more sustainable lifestyle right? So, seriously, consider this an option. Sign up, even if it’s just to play with the designs. You’ll be surprised!

2. Rethink Your Gifts!

Now that we’ve covered the inviting part, let’s switch positions and think about giving gifts. Just stop for a second and think about how much paper goes into gift wrapping. A LOT! So, here’s an idea. What if you buy your gifts and put them into a gift bag that the recipient can use to give other gifts to someone else? This is super simple, but it does help! When I give presents, I always save the bags so that I use it in the future. When I give a gift, I write a little memo on the card along the lines of, “Please reuse this gift bag for someone else”.

Another alternative for presents is giving experience. For my birthday last year, my boyfriend actually surprised me by buying tickets to our local water park. I’ve never been there and it became one of my favorite surprise. Google and search activities around you, maybe there’s something you’ve never done before that can be a good gift. Here are some ideas:

• A wine tasting trip
• Theme parks/water parks
• Bowling
• Escape rooms

3. Fashionable and Sustainable

Have you ever paused to look at your closet and count how many pieces of clothing you have? Do you wear all the clothes you have? My answer to this question was NO. Also, did you know that the fashion industry is one of the biggest waste makers on the planet? When I found out about that, I began looking into my local second hand stores and began shopping second hand clothes. I have some nice pieces from Goodwill that I still wear until this day. However, I know this tip is not necessarily for everyone and I know finding good pieces is not easy. That’s why I also have another tip coming, which is invest your money on good clothing.

When it comes to fashion, I feel like quality is better than quantity. I’m starting to look for better quality pieces of clothing that are universal and last longer, instead of buying many pieces that tend to rip after 6 months. I also look into brands that are ethical and sustainable, such as my bikini pieces from Lunamar for the Planet. In my fashion journey, I’m also trying to become a minimalist and create a capsule wardrobe challenge. So far, the best guide for me is Project 333. Check it out and let me know if you want to take on this challenge with me!

After reading the capsule wardrobe challenge and watch tones of videos on YouTube, I realize that you can be fashionable and live a sustainable lifestyle at the same time. So try it out!

4.Make Your Beauty Routine Better for Our Planet

Apart from fashion, I also love makeup and beauty. However, I have to say that this is the hardest part in my sustainable lifestyle journey. Why? Because the beauty industry uses so much plastic! But can we make this part of our lives more sustainable? Definitely. Here are a few things that you can do:

Cut down your toiletries: I used to have so many products in my bathroom and now I only have 4 bottles (soap, shampoo, conditioner, and face wash). Once my bottles are empty, I plan to switch to soap and shampoo bars so I can cut down plastic even more. However, if you don’t like using them, consider buying bulkier liquid soap such as the Dr.Bronner liquid castile soap. It’s more expensive than normal liquid soap, but the 32 oz lasted for more than 4 months for me. A little goes a long way, and you really cut down your plastic use.

Cleaning your makeup: Stop using disposable makeup wipes and opt out for a reusable make up wipe. There are plenty of beauty shops that sells these, but I got mine from Sephora. It actually works and all I do to clean it is put it in my washing machine. I also use coconut oil to deep cleanse my face, which saves me from buying bottle makeup cleansers.

Toothbrush and razor: I’m still using my old toothbrush because there’s still life in it. But, afterwards, I’m planning to buy a bamboo toothbrush instead of a plastic toothbrush. For shaving, try to find a reusable metal razor instead of disposable ones. It takes a little getting used to, but it’s worth it.

Makeup: I’m still working on this, since it is hard to find organic makeup that works for my skin. However, I do make my own moisturizer from essential oils. Want a recipe? Let me know in the comments.

5.Opt for Paperless Bills

This last one is probably the easiest thing you can do to live a more sustainable lifestyle, but sometimes overlooked. Say no to paper bills, and opt for electronic statements instead. Most of us have a bank account and utility account, I assume. And do you actually read the paper bills they send you? After you open them where do they end up? Probably the trash. So, why not consider electronic bills and statements? After months having electronic bills and statements, I realized how much of a difference that made because I was able to cut down the paper mail that went to my mailbox. I just hate it when I have tons of mail lying every where, don’t you?

Start your sustainable lifestyle today!

Wew, this was quite the article. I really hope this helps and let me know in the comments about any other tip that you have. It would be great if you could share your own sustainable lifestyle ideas, especially on the things I haven’t touched upon. Also, what tips do you want to hear from me next?