4/2/25 Hard Truth: It's Bigger Than Us

But It Doesn't Mean We Don't Have To Do The Work.

Apr 02, 2025

Hard Truth:

The LA fires consumed my every thought back in January— and has been something that continues to haunt me with how the world moves on seemingly so quickly, how our governement isn’t doing anything to prevent climate change, instead reversing so many policies that will do lasting damage.

On top of the fires, there are endless weather conditions that have happened that are not normal. Chicago saw tornadoes and then snow within 48 hours. Tornado Alley went through a massive storm system with tornadoes that flattened towns and killed people.

person holding there is no planet b poster

While I doom scroll, I’ve also been actively trying to find ways to help. It’s also made me resolved to double down my efforts (again) to become more conscious of how my daily habits affect the environment.

What I mean by “again” is that in 2020 I went head-first into low-waste living. There were a few things that prompted me to make this lifestyle change, but it was a good year to do a “no buy new” year along with adjusting our household to operate with new items that are considered low waste. In addition to that, I also had extreme anxiety and guilt while being online and seeing people who lived low-waste lives, their trash accumulating into a small pile that could fit into a mason jar.

That was NOT my life, nor could it ever be. I was elbow deep in diapers and formula. So I had to step back rather than let that guilt eat at me.

Thankfully, my habits had been changed enough so I didn’t go back to how I was operating before. But, bad habits accumulate and it doesn’t hurt to reassess where we’re at.

This focus also goes hand in hand with the looming realization that something so much bigger than me not using Ziploc bags will be what helps move the needle. At the end of the day massive legislation and policy will help the United States move forward with plateauing our massive environmental impact. Damage has already been done, but by supporting and electing folk who have the environment as a key platform can help us combat the worsening climate situation.

That doesn’t leave you and me off the hook. The anxiety can overwhelm us. I know many days I feel paralyzed and useless (beyond climate change). Some of us cannot afford to do the more expensive options of living without plastic. But we can help sway leaders and CEOs of companies by voting with our dollars. That is especially important over the next 4 years, while Trump eases on restrictions for big oil and more.

So when the anxiety gets overwhelming, here are three action items you can keep coming back to:

Vote down the ballot for people supporting green initiatives.
Support local businesses that put the environment first. Vote with your dollars.
Focus on your day-to-day life and do what you can manage to reduce, reuse and recycle.

One key note I want to make to ease everyone’s tensing shoulders, is sometimes there isn’t much you can do. With people working insane hours, taking care of families, and being at their limits, sometimes the easy option is the one that isn’t always the most eco-friendly. THAT’S OKAY.

My point of this Hard Truth is that we can focus on it, that the anxiety is real, but let’s not make it worse for ourselves by taking on the responsibility— because it’s bigger than us. Especially given that most of the conscious efforts to change how a household consumes and operates is done by the already over-burdened women. I’m just here to tell you: I see you. I feel you. And if you can, don’t let the world overtake the good we can do.

If you find that you are too stressed to do research, and don’t know where to start or what to do, I’ve included resources below.