People sometimes ask what it looks like to live more sustainably day-to-day, as though the answer might be sweeping or heroic. But most of the time, for me, it’s less about bold gestures and more about habits — small decisions, repeated daily, that shift the dial a little.
Here are a few I try to keep up with, not perfectly, but persistently:
- Walking instead of driving.
It sounds obvious, but I genuinely enjoy walking — it gets me outside, clears my head, and sneaks in some exercise. For most local errands, walking doesn’t take that much longer than driving, and I arrive home better for it. - Public transport over private car.
This one takes a bit more planning, but I find the time on trains and buses is often reclaimed — I can read, think, or just sit still. It’s a slower mode of travel, but in a good way. - Car transition planning.
I still own a car, but I use it mainly to visit my elderly parents once a week. When it reaches the end of its life (it’s not worth much now), I plan to switch to a combination of public transport, carshare, and rideshare options. This is not a loss, but a way of reducing my footprint while still caring for my family. - Waste and recycling.
I’ve introduced organic recycling at our college dining hall, where food waste is converted into biofuels — a small institutional shift that I’m proud of. I also recycle paper and plastics at home, though like many Australians, I carry a healthy scepticism about where it ends up. But still — we do what we can. - Growing native trees from seed.
This one feels like a quiet joy. I grow native seedlings with the hope of giving them away — a small act of generosity, rooted in the long-term wellbeing of the land. - Solar panels and conscious energy use.
At the college where I work, we installed the most powerful solar system we could fit — a substantial investment in reducing our collective electricity use and modelling better environmental stewardship for the next generation. At home, my habits are simpler: I prefer to wash up by hand. Not just because it saves energy, but because I like it. It’s strangely meditative, a time to be quiet. - Reusables and packaging choices.
I carry my own water bottle and shopping bags (easy wins), and I try to buy products with minimal packaging. I also invest in long-lasting items, though I’m increasingly frustrated by how much of our economy is built around disposability. There’s a cultural bias toward new and cheap, even when the old and sturdy still has life left. - Meatless meals and mindful eating.
I’ve started going meatless two days a week — not out of guilt, but because I enjoy it and it’s better for my health. It feels lighter, simpler. Small changes, again, that feel good on more than one level. - Supporting sustainable businesses.
This one takes work. It’s not always easy to figure out who’s walking the talk. But when I find a business that genuinely prioritizes sustainability, it feels worth every effort to support them.
None of these daily practices are revolutionary. But they are intentional. And together, they form a rhythm — a way of moving through the world that says, quietly but firmly, this matters.
Daily writing prompt
Are there things you try to practice daily to live a more sustainable lifestyle?
The Afterword 
Leave a comment