How to feel better about your eco impacts
I realized that I have felt eco anxiety on and off since university, as I tried to figure out how to make the biggest positive differences for our environment… With processes I’ve learned, I know that staying in that place of doom and gloom does nothing good for a person or the planet. I hope you know that you’re supported, resilient and that there are ways to feel better about your eco impacts!
Hi friends!
I hope that your new decade is off to a wonderful start!
As you may have heard, there has been a lot in the news about climate change, climate crisis, scientific reports and marches taking place around the world. Folks at the polls recently stated that the climate crisis is the number one issue facing our society as well. Along with this, there have been increasing trends of people feeling eco anxiety (a.k.a. climate anxiety).
The American Psychological Association (APA) recently conducted a study, where the majority (68%) of all adults surveyed expressed that they experience “at least a little eco-anxiety."
What is eco anxiety? It doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you, it means that you have felt worry or concern about environmental issues, ecological threats or global warming. In a recent article, climate psychologist, Carole Hickman says, “It’s mentally healthy to feel this way,” and “It’s a sign of empathy.” The article goes on to say that, “The real problem is how we manage our feelings.” There are generally several stages to eco anxiety, from denial, despair and grief, to denial and distraction, all the way to empowered action. The problem is that without the right tools, folks may struggle longer than they need to and aren’t able to do the very thing they care about most: helping themselves feel better and helping our beautiful planet.
That’s why I’ve come up with a process to help eco conscious folks to:
relieve and reduce eco anxiety. Some people feel truly anxious and in despair around environmental issues while others may feel shame or judgement around their actions or lack of “eco-friendly” actions. No matter where you fall on the spectrum in your life today, it often feels even more insurmountable to help the planet when you are feeling like that (despair or shame). And yet, moving from despair, hopelessness or shame and judgement are key to making big positive differences in the world. While those feelings may not disappear forever, having tools and processes to help reduce those negative feelings around “eco conscious” living will help remove a huge block from the untapped potential to make truly big differences for the planet and for yourself.
feel more empowered and connected to your own eco goals, which means moving through your everyday life without guilt or shame around your decisions and feeling really good knowing that you are making eco conscious decisions that are best for your life and your path. Some people may feel concerned about environmental impacts on their children, nephews or nieces, of future generations in general, of animal welfare, unnecessary waste pollution or other issues. This connection with your unique purpose and contribution will empower you to begin with small, easy changes while knowing that you are truly helping make a difference for your life and for others. What may have been hard or overwhelming to navigate or what may have felt like difficult, complex or even guilt-ridden choices are now easier, more enjoyable, purposeful and connected for you personally and globally. This state of being also helps you save more time and makes it easier to make decisions.
feel prosperous (rather than constricted, limited or lacking) along your sustainability path. So many of us feel that being “eco-friendly” or “sustainable” or “conscious consumers” means that we have to pay a price, usually a more expensive price, to make eco friendly decisions or buy “eco-friendly” products. Also, a lot of folks are told what they can’t and shouldn’t do, the things you need to sacrifice, forego and be without in order to truly be eco-friendly, which for many can feel really depleting and constraining, limiting, inconvenient and unachievable. SO, having tools to feel ABUNDANT on your sustainability journey is key to feeling good AND truly making a sustainable difference. Understanding the ways to be prosperous and abundant (financially, time wise, spiritually, emotionally and with ease) on your sustainability journey is the other key to making your eco efforts sustainable!
The positive ripple effect that takes place has incredible potential to heal ourselves and the planet.
This quote is from a BBC Three article, written by Dave Fawbert.
To me, this quote is a beautiful reminder of three main things:
You are not alone or the only one who is dealing with eco anxiety — and it’s best to talk about it and find tools to help empower you.
You (one person) really do have a sphere of influence larger than you may have thought of originally. While corporations and governments can make huge systemic impacts, the ripple effect that individuals can have is also significant and vital.
You don’t need to try to influence everyone, just start with a few folks in your circle and let that grow.
Interested in more resources to help you feel prosperous and abundance while making positive impacts for the planet? Reach out to me and let’s connect 💚
You are a light
and you may not even realize that you are a light for others too… 🌅
With light and gratitude,
