Guest Feature: Your Guide to Avoiding Eco-Guilt

Do you feel like you’re not doing enough in your efforts to be more sustainable and promote conscientious lifestyle choices through your activism? Have no fear – you’re not the first person to feel this way, and you certainly won’t be the last. ‘Eco-guilt’ might not be a term you are familiar with, but – trust us – it’s far more common than you think and there are plenty of ways to avoid and minimise it.

Focus on your own progress

Comparing your endeavours to be more environmentally friendly to those around you is the first pitfall many people face. Someone else may have inspired you to change the way you live, but that doesn’t mean you have to replicate their actions. Your journey to sustainability is entirely personal to you. 

Whether you decide limiting your consumption of clothes or becoming vegan for a number of days each week is the way to go, don’t let anyone tell you you’re not doing enough. You know your motivations, what will work for you, and where will be the best place to start. You don’t need to seek justification from others. 

There is no such thing as ‘enough’

‘Enough’ is a subjective term, and who are we to put certain people on a pedestal where they’re given the privilege to define it? Sometimes individuals even give themselves the right to do this, and it has to stop.

The only way we’re going to see real change is if we work as a collective. Rather than telling your friends or family they need to do more, phrase it in an encouraging way which gives them credit for the steps they’ve taken so far. Making small changes is better than none at all, and if we all do this it’ll amount to a large change – but just remember this is only the beginning and pushing your boundaries will allow you to achieve the pivotal difference our world needs.

Take each day as it comes

Your progress won’t be linear. One day you may completely cut out red meat and dairy products, but the next you might not be able to. 

Looking holistically at what you’ve achieved and how far you’ve come is the best way to minimise your eco-guilt and will encourage you to continue, with more passion and belief in yourself than ever before.

Cut yourself some slack

Life would be plain-sailing if a sustainable lifestyle was accessible to all – but this isn’t always the case. Healthier and more sustainable food, clothing and appliance alternatives are sometimes more expensive. However, being a conscious consumer involves reducing your purchases as much as possible, as well as looking after and truly valuing your belongings so they withstand the test of time.

When it comes to the food you eat, ask yourself if you’ve taken the time to seek out the best deals for sustainable produce in your local area. If you were put off buying sustainably at the first sight of a slightly higher price tag, you should push yourself beyond that and keep looking. It’s just a matter of time before the effort you put into this will be rewarded, especially if you value the impact your actions will have on the planet over your bank account.

If you know you’re doing everything you can within your reach, you need to cut yourself some slack.

The next time you doubt your efforts and progress, keep in mind that every individual is working at their own pace towards their own goals – and you should be your main focus. You’re doing a great job, so remember that.

About the Author

Katie Wheatley is a Journalist at the University of Sheffield, Editor-in-Chief of the award-winning Liberty Belle Magazine, and co-host of the Just Us Three Podcast. Katie is also Founder and Social Media Manager at Oh So Sustainable.