January Motivation

This may not be the new start to the year we envisioned, but it can still be productive and meaningful. 2021 has to be the year that we combat climate change as if not now, then when? So let’s start on the right foot to make this the year that we fight to protect our planet.

For many of us, myself included, the last few months have brought so many personal challenges that it has been difficult to keep on top of world-saving antics when you feel you can’t even control what is going on in your own world. Therefore, without increasing stress or pressure, we should try and use January to reset our goals and refuel our motivation to create change.

• New Years Resolutions – may feel kind of redundant this year as the year feels like a continuation of the last, but jotting down a list of sustainable goals may help you see your sustainable transition in a more realistic way ( there is a whole post on this in the Sustainability category of this blog). Put your goals somewhere you will see them often e.g. on the fridge, in a diary or on your phone and try to track your progress in reaching them to avoid the feeling of your goals overwhelming you. Ideas could be: eating two vegetarian meals a week, purchasing packaging free shower products or walking to your local shop instead of driving.

• If you are struggling for ideas for which part of your life to prioritise when making sustainable change, you could try a Carbon Footprint calculator to see where you emit the most in your lifestyle. The WWF Footprint Calculator (WWF Footprint Calculator) is a great one to start with as not only does it break down your results into lifestyle areas and then steps you can take, but while completing the questions you get a feel for where you know you can improve, helping to direct your New Year focus.

• If right now that all sounds too overwhelming, it’s time to get inspired again. Read a relevant book (Attenborough never fails), sign a petition, watch I am Greta – anything that gets that fire inside of you going again so that you feel inspired to do something to help protect our environment. It may not feel big, but to have the energy to combat an issue as big as climate change we all need strength from within, so if you need to work on yourself first before you join the fight, we’ll be here when you’re ready.

This month doesn’t have to feel wasted or cancelled because of the pandemic, but can be a time for us to reset so that we have a solid plan going forward this year to make this the time of the climate.