Let’s take a [second] to review

Somehow writing my second post seems more intimidating than the first? I’m actually sticking to my word now and not just trying something once before ditching it because it’s too hard. The responsibility to show progress is something that’s weighing on my mind. I’m doubting whether I can keep up the momentum and motivation over a prolonged period. What can I write about if I feel that I haven’t done enough or had enough energy to do what I set out to do? Am I letting anyone down by not following through? I have a constant internal dialogue, like two sides of my brain arguing over whether we’re good enough, whether we have the energy to do the thing, whether what we’re doing even matters on a larger scale… And so on. The conversations rattle around constantly in me.

The Logic Brain knows the answer to all these questions is simple — I am enough. The Worry Brain has other ideas.

I suppose the least I can hope for is that I will work through these doubts for myself, pen to paper, and the most I can hope is that others may relate, identify or even feel encouraged by reading this.

I hope my off topic thoughts may add to the complex discourse around all these sustainability issues, but I will do my best to keep to the point, no promises though!

Back to the point then, updates from last week:

• Contacting the building management about a food waste bin — DONE. I’m waiting to hear back from them. Feeling lots of guilt around this issue because when we moved here 18 months ago I was frustrated to find no brown bin, I even asked our agent for contact info for the building management in July last year but life got away from me and I never took it any further. Sometimes feeling guilty over not doing a thing takes so much energy from me that I’m even less productive than I could have been. I’m working on this! Trying to remind myself that I am not solely responsible for this issue — The waste collection company should have initiated the change when the law changed 3 years ago, the building management could also have done something, there are 40 other apartments in the complex… I’m also trying not to dwell on the past, putting myself down for my inaction, let’s just focus on the fact that this course and this project and this blog have finally given me the push to make the thing happen!
• Go back to shopping at the local zero waste shop (Small Changes in Drumcondra) ONGOING. We did our weekly shop here last week, and will continue to replace packaged goods with unpackaged as we work though what’s already in the cupboards. I’m working on a more comprehensive shopping plan as there are items that aren’t available at Small Changes (more on that below).
• Focus on homemade foods vs convenience. ONGOING. This week we have enjoyed blueberry bagels and vegan hokkaido milk bread. Special shoutout to my wife Elyse for all her delicious treats! We’re also making a big batch of sweet potato chickpea burgers for the freezer and some muesli flapjacks for much needed morning pick-me-up treats. Bonus points for finding a way to use up the bag of muesli that neither of us are keen on? I also started making homemade ‘instant’ noodles a while back so I’m going to make a big batch of the flavouring (basically peanut butter, miso, maple syrup and spices) for quick easy lunches.
• Documenting my black and recycling bins by weight each week. ONGOING. Last Sunday was the first day we weighed the bins but then I realised it wasn’t an accurate measure since we didn’t start from empty the Sunday before that! So this Sunday I’ll actually have my week one weigh-in. One thing I’m realising is that while we’re trying to use up packaged goods purchased pre-challenge it will take a while for the weigh-ins to show results. I will do my best to be patient here!

My next idea in the works is a comprehensive shopping plan for this transition time for us. I’m playing around with the best format for this so TBC but it will be something that both Elyse and I can access digitally and keep track of everything. My idea is to list all the items we buy (starting with food, but also household and toiletry), then what their current packaging is, whether it can be improved upon and where to buy things from. Hopefully it can also act as a shopping list, maybe even meal planning might come into it, I won’t place my expectations too high though. It’s a bit tricky at the moment when we haven’t decided exactly where and how we will make purchases. One example being soy sauce, is it okay in a glass bottle or do we need to get it in bulk? There’s a lot more little conversations that need to be had so that we can both participate actively in this as well as both being able to do the shopping! (thank you again to Elyse for your patience and for wanting to come on this journey with me :) )

One of the specific things I’m looking into are ways to keep enjoying the foods we love and not having to give things up or feel like we’re suffering for the cause. I know if we do that we’d be doomed to failure. With that in mind I’m looking at ways to keep sweets in my life! Vegan and unpackaged is a bit of a tricky ask so I have some searching to find sustainable options that will work for us. There are a few options in the UK but then I’m considering postage vs buying local. I found an Irish option that was sold by the kilo (I don’t have enough self control for that ..!) Decision TBC.

I think that’s all my news for now. If you’ve made it this far, a massive thank you for your support, hopefully I’m not too boring!

Until next week,

Minimal Fin.