i love when i’m reading a draft i’ve mostly forgotten about like ‘wow this is really good’ and i feel like a reader enjoying my own work then it just stops and then i have to fucking finish it ????
I’m not the first to say it and I sure as fucking hell won’t be the last. It’s great to aspire to perfection, to the idea of fitting your trash for a year in the confines of a single jar, but:
That can come at the expense of the bigger picture, such as driving a long distance to get to a bulk foods store instead of walking to the local supermarket right around the corner and getting the best options there, thereby creating greater carbon emissions than you otherwise would have.
This can lead to questionable additions to your recycling and compost bins, knowing that items will end up in a landfill eventually, but taint a load of recyclables and compost on their way there.
This can alienate family and friends who might find the idea of a zero waste lifestyle too intimidating from such a daunting ask.
The individuals are not the ones creating the most trash. Do you think Amazon fits all their waste in a single jar, or even cares to try? Of course not!
Putting all your focus into this stupid fucking jar diverts your attention from efforts than can have a much greater impact! Lobbying for eco conscious efforts in your local area, petitioning for plastic bans and environmentally friendly fishing practices, establishing a buy nothing group, or perhaps a compost pile, in your neighborhood, these and other efforts are all things that can really make a big difference- if you’re not distracted by a fucking mason jar instead.
Remember, zero waste doesn’t mean that you have to create absolutely no trash- it means bettering the environment by causing less unnecessary waste on both an individual and societal effort. And that means little steps, one thing at a time.
“The author said that their relationship isn’t like that at all! Therefore, your ship is wrong and doesn’t respect the author!” I think… I think you guys forget what shipping is supposed to be…
I mean. Yeah. being thrust into this insane world / business at 18 irrevocably altered my brain chemistry. but I gotta say, I wake up everyday and make a coffee and sit with my son while we have breakfast and I think to myself “you made it out relatively unscathed to this point, kid.” and for that I am grateful beyond measure. all it took was the exhaustion of waking up and self evaluating on a microscopic level for the past 5 years (which nearly killed me) BUT. I’m here. And I have kept it pretty much together (best as I can) as of recent. which is more than 18 year old me would have ever given herself the faith to bet on. Growth and pain and peace on the horizon. You got this.
I have been quietly living through some of the hardest years of my life. In some ways that you know and in others too fragile to display. I’ll share it when I’m ready in dazzling and terrifying form, as always, on the record. Finally getting the luxury of existential thought now that I have calmed the storms of survival. Love you.
