If you’ve joined The Wildwoods, you’ll know that I’m gearing up for a move. Boxes are already packed, and this time next week the movers will be here. Moving is always a stressful and exciting time, it’s also the perfect time to take steps to create your dream green lifestyle! It’s a time when you can look back to the past and get rid of the things that you no longer want or need, it’s a time when you can look to a new and exciting future where you can embrace new changes at your new home. If you find yourself looking at an impending move, here’s how you can use it as a catlyst to make your life even greener.
Out with the Old
Invariably during a move you’ll gaze at all your belongings and wonder how you got so much stuff and why do you even have any of it! It would be so much easier to move without all this junk, right?! Before it’s time to fill those moving boxes, do yourself a favor: get rid of the old stuff you no longer use. Future you will thank you! Now is the perfect time to purge. Get rid of the old clothes you no longer wear, the broken things you never got around to fixing, and the stuff for projects you never got around to starting. If your things are in good repair, consider consigning them, or donating them. If that is not an option for those things, then recycle them or dispose of them appropriately.
Replace Conventional Cleaners
With moving comes cleaning. Cleaning out your old place so you can get all of your security deposit back, cleaning your new place (cuz who knows how clean it really is). Basically cleaning all the things! If you’ve been waiting to make the switch to safer, natural cleaners now is the time to do it! Use up those old cleaning supplies, and replace them with safer and more natural alternatives.
Reuse & Up-cycle
Moving to a new place often means you need some new furniture or accessories to replace worn ones you have or respond to new needs that your new place has. Lamps, furniture and other accessories don’t need to be purchased new! (Except mattresses, those you should get new…you know…bed bugs…ick!) Try looking at second hand furniture, or re-purposed/up-cycled furniture before buying a new one. You can end up saving yourself money, find unique pieces, and reduce your consumption of resources by purchasing used items.
Start New Green Habits
Moving means not only establishing a new home, but also starting new habits. Many of your old habits will change: new commutes, new stores, new restaurants, and new friends! It’s the perfect time to introduce new habits into your life. Maybe that means using more public transportation, or riding your bike more, or even only buying local food since your new community is awesome and has tons of sustainable local agriculture. Embrace the change! Jump into the new habit you always said you’d do once you got to your new place!
Shop Local
Shopping locally is the perfect way to get to know your new community. Visit the new local shops, restaurants and attractions in your new neighborhood. You’ll never know what you will find, or who you will meet. Shopping locally gives you insight into your new community, reduces your carbon footprint, gives you access to local foods, crafts, and artisans, as well as strengthens your local economy.
Moving is as exciting as it is annoying. It’s a time of endings, and new beginnings. It’s also the perfect time to make changes to create your dream green lifestyle and reduce your footprint on the world. Take advantages of the opportunities that moving brings you to green-up your lifestyle and embrace your new home and community.
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