HOW I WENT FROM A HYPER-CONSUMER TO A ZERO WASTER // storytime and throwback pics

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[blueecho]

As a disabled person, I'm grateful for the encouragement to not be perfect. Because I cannot fully take care of myself, sometimes I am fed animal products. I personally try to be vegan as much as I can and when I care for myself I usually am, but being vegan all the time or the most sustainable in other areas all the time is just not reality or a possibility for me. So, thank you.

[itslissette]

No one can live completely zero waste in a society not designed for it 👏 Well said! Very insightful. I deffinetly think I've been so discouraged with how overwhelming the zero waste community can be initially. I felt like I had to be perfectly zero waste, or nothing, I failed. Everyone's situation is different, we can all make impactful changes in our lives and evolve in our low waste living.

[karobythell]

Your parents and grandmother have done a damn fine job of raising you . Thank them for me : )
Obviously they set you on the right track and then you evolved and developed into the wonderful human being you are today ... IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD ... you have been very blessed with your village .. xx from NZ

[milicaadamovic]

First of all, I am very grateful to the Youtube algorithm that has introduced me to your videos. :D I have started my zero-waste journey in September of last year. I have been vegan for almost 5 and half years and started reading about the other effects and consequences of hyper-consumerism . Then I started phasing out fast fashion and reducing waste. Boy, it was tough! The clothing aspect not so much, since we have a lot of online second-hand stores and a lot of small brand designers, that are quite affordable. But, waste is a completely different story. I come from Serbia, where everything is packed in plastic and you have a plastic bag full of plastic bags in every household :D So, going zero waste here is a whole different level, because people will look at you suspiciously if you take your own bags to the market or you refuse to use a straw. And I felt so strange and awkward just asking whether something can be put into my container (sometimes, I still do). Also, our recycling system and waste management in general is a disaster. We even do not know whether the stuff we throw in the recycling bin is actually recycled.
Recently, I have started ordering online from small producers and everything is packed in plastic bags, so I try to reuse them, instead of loosing my mind over them. I see it like a two ways street. Yes, there is some waste, but I am supporting a small local business and farmers and getting fresh healthy food, so the pluses are bigger then minuses.
Also, I have tried in the past months to eradicate the exotic ingredients from my diet (like bananas, dates, chocolate...) and to focus on more locally produced ingredients, but this is also almost impossible mission. :D So, I just go with the flow. Sometimes I am making compromises, because it is important not to loose your common sense in this. As you have mentioned it several times, it is not possible to go zero-waste in a world that is not designed and you should be able to enjoy your enjoy, not have anxiety attacks each time you come in contact with plastic. :D

Boy, this was a long comment :D I just wish to say thank you million times! :D

[odette]

i remember being embarrassed that my clothes are thrifted, but now it became popular and it's so bizarre? it's a good thing, though it's weird looking back at my relationship with shopping for clothes

[meiyutr]

When I first started I also felt really bad for having waste/plastic, but most things are not packaged sustainably, and not many package-free alternatives. Now I am content that I am doing my best most of the time, starting small projects for myself to improve different aspects of my living to be more sustainable.

[kasm]

I've followed zero waste bloggers for so long thinking one day ill be able to do it when circumstances are different because every time i tried such challenges i would be riddled with guilt and disappointment. Now following you im slowly transitioning into a more sustainable lifestyle without feeling much of the guilt of all the other things i could be doing better. It now feels way more atainable. Thank you.

[molk]

I love this. I was lucky to grow up more sustainable than the average child (was allowed be vegetarian at 10, never bought a ton of new clothes, limit my waste as much as I can, am allowed to grow food at home as a 17 year old, have always gone to green schools/fairtrade schools). Incredibly privileged to have the opportunity but yeah, I love seeing other people’s journeys into the awesome lifestyle I fell into.

[leaf]

The lack of photos smol child Gittemary is heartbreaking :( Ha kidding, great video. I really appreciate your openness about your past <3

[bucketoffrogz]

It's brilliant to see a story about the journey to a zero waste lifestyle that is open about past mistakes, as well as being really inspiring for how we can all change our habits going forward 💚💚 Super thankful I found your channel!

[kellyrist]

Thank you so much for sharing this! When I was growing up my parents really overworked themselves to ensure we could have lots of material possessions and exotic holidays, but when I look back I don’t remember any of the toys I had but I remember little boring things we did together that brought the most joy!

[unhumanote]

You genuinely seem a lot more happy now. I really like your channel, it makes me feel like theres people like me out there, even if i dont know them of if it feels like theres not, thank you!

[mindfulnessbytheocean]

In my high school and early adult years, I had a serious clothing habit. And as I got jobs and my own money, it was even worse. I felt like I needed to have different clothes and shoes all the time because it made me feel better about myself.

It took me longer to escape this life, but I’m so glad that I did.

[draugno]

It is far more important to have present parent/s than to always have everything you want. I lacked both but only have consequences of the first and didn't actually care about posessions at that time

[micivalantincic]

Hahaha my dad still calls me and tells me "I can't order this online. The internet will steal my money" btw I came across your chanell years ago and it didn't vibe with me. Now that you explained how you felt back when you started zero waste I understand why it felt like that to me. Cause now I love watching your videos. Especialy cause I don't like matchy matchy minimalist homes and clothing. Whenever I look at my bed with all different covers I thnik to my self "so G's aestetics" :) good on you for owning up to your own mistakes.

[katelawrence]

I had a great childhood growing up on a farm as part of a large family. Money would have been tight but I never realised that until one of the girls at school gave me 20 cents because my family was so poor!

[sujavv]

I'm super grateful for being introduced to your videos <3

[tanitabotha]

Every day is a day to make a difference.

[mariadesantiago]

I love this relatability. The openness is real and raw. It takes a lot to be vulnerable online and I think it’s safe to say...we appreciate it!

[Nina.In.Narnia]

Love the childhood insights. I was born and raised in Transylvania, Romania. When I got to know about the importance of removing single use stuff and recycling I cane to realise how eco friendly my grandparents lived. Partly because they didn't have much and would reuse a lot.
Now I have moved to the UK a few years ago and everytime I see herbs in plastic or all fruits and vegetables in plastic I am sad. Back in my hone country I have not seen this even in supermarkets. People don't like produce wrapped in plastic. Is normal to chose and feel all your fruits and vegetables before you buy them. We would use small plastic bags which is now slowly going away. I sincerely hope the UK will do it soon. Supermarkets look so much nicer without all the plastic. All the greenery and nicely aranged non packaged produce makes me so happy. And you enjoy the food more because you feel it and smell it before cooking and eating.
There is a petition now from Greenpeace, hopefully it will make an impact