Want to take my place writing?
Ever since I started this blog, you have shown a great deal of patience and understanding reading through my posts of frustrations, growing pains, and self discovery.
Sometimes you relate to my stories, sometimes you do not, but through the comments we connect, and support each other. Yet, comments only offer a glance at your personal journey.
I invite you to share further with us by submitting your story (zerowastestory at gmail dot com) of 750 words or less in the body of an email (no text attachment please), with a picture attached of you, or whatever would illustrate your words. Let us know what got you started, what keeps you going, what your biggest challenge is (or was), or all of the above. The possibilities are infinite.
I'll alternate my posts with guest articles each week.
Inspired?
Congratulations, Bea, for being So Smart and pacing yourself by cutting back on your blogging when it became "too much of a good thing." This is a fine example of decluttering your life and honoring your own personal needs. Many of us could also say "no" or just cut back on energy-draining commitments.
ReplyDeleteYou are brilliant for opening this up to your followers. This could be fascinating reading. I hope the response will be good.
And it's raining today!
ReplyDeleteHello Béa,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and peaceful picture and accompanying description.
I am new to your blog and have devoured the archives over the last few weeks.
I do not have the time right now to create a guest entry, but I look forward to reading the others and hope to contribute some day.
I just wanted to tell you that I have been deeply inspired by you and your family, and so appreciate how much you are willing to share with us.
Though it has only been a few days since I've started transitioning our home to less (hopefully zero) waste, I have had a lot of feelings brewing under the surface for a while - discontent with owning "stuff," concern about the health-effects of our environment, worry for the environment overall, and also a certain need to create some space in my life.
Your zero waste concept does a beautiful job of tying so many of these things together, while also simplifying the questions we must ask ourselves to one - how can I make this decision in a way that creates zero waste.
As for the personal benefits of this lifestyle, I can already see how there are many. My husband and I are new ex-pats in a country where we do not speak the language and are unfamiliar with the culture. Since we started transitioning to zero waste, I find myself learning and engaging more with where I am.
I'm looking in new shops to try to find bulk options (no luck so far), I'm going to the farmers' market more, I'm attempting to speak the language more (I think I asked for "no table" instead of "no bag" the other day!), and overall relating to my local environment in a deeper way.
I have a question for you, if you have a chance to answer - was there a point in this journey when you made a decision to move from living with less to living with your personal minimum? Or did it just happen along the way?
Having lived in many cities in three countries over the last ten years, my possessions have been pared down substantially and we put great consideration into most purchases. That said, I think that I want to go further, to live with even less. I'm on the precipice of that change right now, and would be interested to hear about your experiences.
All my best,
Olivia
Hi Bea! Just wondering what you use to brush/comb your hair (and/or what your sons and husband use).
ReplyDeleteYESSSS!! I've actually been considering writing a very long story/ short book about my journey, complete with research, benefits and how to globalize the zero waste life. I am inspired and excited. :-)
ReplyDeleteOoh, yes! Will do!
ReplyDeleteI truly have enjoyed your blog and told many friends about you. Sometimes your blogs are inspirational and informative sometimes I do find them comical with the "militant" way you achieve Zero Waste Life. Nevertheless, I will keep on reading and learning....have a great fall and Christmas season.
ReplyDeletePia
Bea,
ReplyDeleteI went on a field trip with my son's scout group to the waste management transfer center in our town. All the while the man is trying to educate the kids on how/what to recycle/reuse etc. The presentation was very good... however I couldn't help but think how you would have crawled out of your skin at the end when they handed out "goodie bags" to all the kids, the things were all made from recycled material but still... guess we have a long way to go!
Just look at you folks in California! Meanwhile in Europe we are in our coats and sheepskin boots. ("California dreamin' on such a winter's day") The guest post idea is a wonderful way to bring the community together!
ReplyDeleteThat is very smart of you. I think in the past few years and looking back at your blog, you have covered almost everything to guide people like us through this journey. Sometimes it is important to step back and give yourself a break. If you push your blogging, then it will become a duty rather than a pleasure. I used to be a dancer, I loved it so much I over did it. I would be gone almost always traveling to different dance competitions and events. I realized my family was important and I have neglected to appreciate them. I took a long break to sort out what is important. Therefore, I commend you for being honest. Good luck! I cannot wait to hear from other zero waste achievers have to share.
ReplyDeleteXimena
I've only recently begun reading your blog, but already find that some of your thoughts and goals have made a difference in choices I've made while shopping. I don't have a zero waste story to tell yet, but hope that someday I will. Thank you for your blog.
ReplyDeletesorry, no time to comment here, must search my files and latent brain cells for material suitable for a guest appearance on your blog posts...be back ASAP! zero waste love..ns
ReplyDeleteI think one of the big revelations from your blog has been "how to say no" to things. Putting limits on what comes into the home... a good idea in theory, but with zero waste I actually "get it" now. And putting limits on your blogging and commenting, that's just fine with me. Whatever it takes for you to keep it up because I need this site as an inspiration! Otherwise I may just, like a diet, slip back into old habits.
ReplyDeleteSo this weekend I am going Disneyland. Saw that wanted you some people write story's well that get me idea. Can the happiest place on earth also be zero waste. So next weekend while I am at Disneyland I am going try to go zero waste write down what is working what does not work and well what Disneyland could really do help go zero waste so once I get back I will have my story and send it in
ReplyDeleteGinny
I am inspired! We've just started down the journey a few weeks ago. We are daily thinking of new ways to reduce waste! Of the few simple ones: Drinking our coffee in mugs at Starbucks. Skipping plastic baggies for produce. Thanks for your inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHello! Found your blog a few months back and I think it's extremely inspirational! (I would hate to lose your voice 2x a month, but I know you have to do what's best for you!) Anyways, I would love to know how you got rid of your stuff when you started to downsize. Did you have a big estate sale, did you sell everything on eBay, did you just donate everything? Also, I will echo others when they say that would like to know more about your wardrobe. I know you gave a list of few months back, but I would love to see how you do put everything together each day and make it a fresh outfit. Also, I know you said your water usage was down, and you let your cloths air out and not launder them each time, but how to you keep your napkins and dish cloths at a limit but do fewer washes? Would love to know! Thanks so much for the inspiration! Melissa N.
ReplyDeleteOh, and can I have that red dress when you are ready to donate? I would wear it everyday! LOVE it!! Melissa N
ReplyDeleteDear Bea,
ReplyDeleteI have been teaching yoga for 11 years. A few weeks ago after an awful sleep deprived night I said to my students "does anyone want to teach." I know how you feel. You continue to inspire me in refusing and reusing but also in being much more organized, being simpler, having less and using my beautiful things.Your tweets are inspiring me to cook more. Going to try my first quiche.
Could your husband, Scott, write one for the guys on his grooming regimen, closet, car care, or yard work?
ReplyDeleteBea,
ReplyDeletePerhaps if you don't get any volunteers from your readers, you could recruit some of your fellow simple living, waste conscious bloggers to contribute guest posts. Just a thought!
Also, I will echo others in always wanting more tips about choosing, replacing, and caring for clothing. I'm also always interested in musings and tips about preventing waste of time and money.
Would love to hear ppl's recollections of times that were zero-waste through necessity... My mum's stories of London in the 1940s (carts picking up rags, dung, any waste was usable...) are always a reminder that it doesn't have to be/hasn't always been this way in terms of waste/consumption
ReplyDeleteI would love to know if there are blogs which you find particularly inspiring. Maybe you could share them wiht us.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bea for being such a fresh inspiration. We are using what we've learned from you as we transition from our city home to a tiny cottage in the woods. Loving it! What a beautiful journey!
ReplyDeleteI recently discovered this video: http://waste360.com/sustainability/not-so-far-away-video While it's not my story, I think it fits well here.
ReplyDeleteCan kids write a story?
ReplyDeleteof course! we would love to read a kids story!
ReplyDelete