Sustainability is a major buzz word in our town and across the United States (okay, maybe just in certain pockets). But when we think sustainability, we don’t just think about green, eco-friendly choices, but decisions we can make that make our lives sustainable–read: Survivable on an ongoing basis.
With our sweet little munchkins settling in at home, and a return to work on the horizon, we’re trying to figure out just how to make our lives a little more efficient, healthy, less wasteful, “sleepable” (I just made that word up), and maybe even a little fun!
For the most part, we’ve given ourselves a “pass” the past four months because we were just trying to survive. We ate hospital cafeteria food (i.e. burgers and curly fries), picked up take out, stopped composting, didn’t use reuseable shopping bags, stopped any form of regular exercise and just muddled through. But now that we’re ready for life in the long haul, it’s time to pick up the pieces, reconnect with our values, and start being the good examples we want to be for our kids.
Our first start will be diet and exercise. Thankfully, Spring has sprung, great produce is plentiful and the weather is awesome. We’re contemplating the awesome BOB stroller for possible jogging opportunities, but we are already walking 2 miles daily with the kids–a good start.
Next is good planning. The goal is to effectively plan errands and budgeting to reduce expenses, save time and conserve our sanity. I am QUEEN of over-committing and setting high expectations for myself. If this experience has taught me one thing, it’s that I want to DO LESS, and have more space and time to breathe and have fun with my kids. What I don’t want is to be over-scheduled, running all over town without a moment to sit on the deck or read a story to the babies. I’m done with that crazy life for now–it is not very rewarding. There will be plenty of running around in the future, I’m sure (soccer practice, PTA meetings., etc.).
Along the way I’d like to incorporate more earth-friendly choices into our daily lives, cutting back on the paper towels and Ziploc baggies. Basically, the things we should be doing anyway.
You probably think I’m crazy. “You have new born twins! Relax a little!” This is true, so we’ll take it one step at a time and ease in to things. But hopefully with a little bit of planning and a few more veggies, we’ll be off to a good start.
See pics from March 2009, all from our new digital SLR camera!