Green living is fast becoming the way of life for many households. However, if you’re new to
this type of living, jumping right into it can be quite a drastic change to deal with. There are ways to gradually introduce this type of living to others in your family; however, it will require creativity and a bit of patience on your end. Below are a few suggestions for living a green life and introducing it to your not so green family.
Start Slow
Imagine that for your entire life you are used to eating fast food and processed foods, however, in an instant all the foods you love are gone and you’re left with nothing but carrots, wheat bread, and other healthy foods. Chances are you would not take to kindly to the change and would long for what you used to eat. This is the same thing with green living. There is a lot involved in truly living a green life and if it is all introduced or forced at one time, those on the receiving end will not accept that well. Instead, it should be slowly introduced so that it becomes a part of their life gradually.
Below are a few pointers on how to gradually start living a greener life.
Conservation
Conserving energy is huge when opting to live a green life. You can begin with baby steps by simply turning off the lights when you’re not in the room, turning off electrical devices when not in use, and turning off water when washing your hands or dishes.
Recycling
Recycling is a very easy way to start living a greener life. Purchase recycling bins and make sure they are properly labeled so that everyone knows what goes in which container. Other ways to recycle include such as reusing grocery store backs to conserve plastic.
Lighting
A great first step is to install energy saving light bulbs in the house. While they cost a bit more to invest in, they tend to save a lot of money and give off way more light than traditional light bulbs.
Living Green When Your Family Won’t
There are times when green living is not something that everyone in your family is willing to do. While children ultimately have no choice, adult household members do and sometimes they buck at the idea. If this is the case you will need to learn how to live green without disturbing their daily practices. Below are a few suggestions on how to make that happen:
Drinks
Instead of repeatedly purchasing coffee or water bottles you can conserve by making your own. Invest in a water filter pitcher and a reusable water bottle as well as a travel mug and a coffee maker. This is something easy for you to do on your own without forcing it on others.
There are other ways in which you can start living a green life even when your family won’t. Make your own cleaning supplies, turn off lights when you’re done, install efficient lighting in your room, and more. Don’t give up on your efforts to live a green life. Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you’ll be glad you kept up.
