Less is More
“Less” is, if this can be said, the very beginning, the first baby-step in self-development, in starting a better, cleaner and sounder life. There is no way to move forward without it. As it is impossible to write a book, without knowing letters, recycling does not make much sense without completing some simple 4 pre-stages:
1. Rethinking (or as I call it, “think differently”). Recall the “WHY” when doing anything. That’s my “think differently”.
2. Refuse. Renounce. It flows from the answer to your “why”. Leave all those blouses that you can’t combine with anything (even if you bought them on a discount!) Or the “second item for free.” If there is no need, then just go ahead and leave it behind.
3. Reduce. Reduce. Make it less. Less. And even a little less. That’s better now!
4. Reuse. Find yourself a thermos and a ceramic coffee mug, get a couple of textile bags for your supermarket rounds, take one (even be it plastic) water bottle to refill it when you’d like. Slowly jump off single-use items, feel the wind blow your wings.
5. Recycling. That’s all you have to throw out after you have made it through the first four steps.
6. Sometimes, somewhere in advanced societies, people are able to think beyond their noses, make long-term plans and act strategically and so sometimes there is upcycle after recycling. Lest you think that recycling is final, it’s cool and solves all the problems.
And finally remember, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, but the second best time is today,” — African proverb
