Day 22: When Obstacles become Prancing Grounds
I don't know how to break this to you, but living Plastic-Free is easier than I thought it would be.
Do you know when you make a wild decision and you can't possibly imagine it panning out? But you put one foot forward, and before you know it ground is just rising up to meet you, like it was there all along? Well I hope you know what that’s like, because that’s what is happening in my plastic-free month.
I’m surprised to say that living Plastic-Free and buying no new plastic is completely doable. I would even be as bold to say that with even the smallest amount of intention and resolve, it’s been effortless. (Bear with me.)
My two greatest plastic consumption areas are (were) 1. Food, and 2. Cosmetics. And like I reported before, ditching new plastic in my food consumption came naturally. My neighbourhood grocery store Nester’s Market stocks all kinds of conscious and forward-thinking goods, including plastic-free bulk products and of course plastic-free produce.
(Watch this space for a full and detailed rundown of my challenges and successes.)
And cosmetics. Without any precedent, I have stopped wearing makeup. For now. I didn’t see that coming, but it happened and all I can say is it’s awesome. My face is great!
All that remains in the realm of cosmetics, after switching to toothy tabs and unpackaged deodorant, is disposable razors. Sigh. So easy, so unnecessary. Fortunately, I haven’t had to buy a new one, so using mine is technically within in my “No New Plastic” guidelines. (Would it be the end of the world if I just stopped shaving?) This is a frontier of my comfort-zone I have admittedly not yet explored.
But as you can see, the scale of my plastic-free woe has been trivial at best. My last dirges of new-use plastic exist around hair removal and packaged soba noodles – both of which I can manage without. Larger scale long-term plastic appliances are my next frontier.
But with the exception of razors and granola bars, this project has unfolded very naturally. It feels like I have unconsciously lined up these changes my whole life, so now they make sense. All it takes is one simple intention to link it all together, to follow through on a deep-seated plan and quickly redefine my habits around consumption. One tiny seed of purpose has effortlessly unraveled some deeply ingrained rituals in my life, like wearing makeup and using toothpaste tubes. This feels so right!
Above all, the biggest theme I’m seeing in my experiment is FAITH. When my path is clear, intent, and committed, everything falls into place. No matter how far-fetched or seemingly impossible, with clarity and purpose, obstacles become prancing grounds and heart-felt goals become possible. Knots unravel and proverbial red carpets roll out to meet me. My dream to consume no new plastic is absolutely within reach. And better still, it’s easy, tasty, and fun.
The ground is rising to meet me, and my path lies joyfully ahead. What trail are you blazing?
