It’s been a while since my last post, but here is something I’ve been focusing on more recently. And even though it doesn’t coincide with Earth Day, I still wanted to share.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become more aware of the affects our actions have on the environment – most of them detrimental. So part of my attempt to live as a good person (as least in my opinion), is to lessen the negative physical impact I have on the world around me. I wanted to list the small things I’ve changed that work toward that goal.

1. Dryer balls. Instead of throwing away dryer sheets after one use, I invested in dryer balls. They aren’t super expensive either, so it’s an easy switch. The type I got will last for 1,000 washes. I just searched dryer balls on Etsy to find mine.
2. Reusable cotton rounds. Previously when I removed my make-up, I used disposable cotton rounds. But in my attempt to eliminate trash, I switched to reusable ones that I found on Etsy. And along with creating less trash, I’m also saving money!
3. Cloth pads and menstrual cups. Once again, this functions as two birds with one stone. Along with creating less trash, I’m saving money! I got my pads from this company on Etsy and they also have a starter kit with a menstrual cup.
4. Buying clothes from used clothing stores. I recently discovered ThreadUp, which is an online second-hand store that allows you to send in clothes you don’t want anymore. They list those items on their site, and if it sells, you get credit toward the shop. Or, you can just shop without sending in clothes!
5. Bar soap. Instead of buying shower gel bottles that create more trash, when you use up a bar of soap, there’s nothing to throw away! I also learned how to crochet a soap saver for mine.
6. But if you still want to use shower gel, instead of using a disposable loofah, switch to a washcloth instead, and you’re still being mindful.
7. Reusable shopping bags. I’m really bad about remembering to bring mine into the store when I grocery shop, but I always have them in my car. I know that my city’s recycling stopped accepting plastic bags, so now they either collect in our pantry, or they get thrown away. Another way to create less trash is to bring them to the shopping centers that accept them to recycle.

If you’ve found other ways to be more environmentally friendly, let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading!