I’m Vivian, or you can call me Viv!
I’m really flattered you took the time out of your day to read about me and my purpose for creating this blog so let’s get to it!
How do I approach this? I’m just a normal person like you with dreams, and I want to make sure I’m being true to myself and doing as much good as possible. I’m sure you’re no different from me. I just have a good feelin’ about it!
I opened up this blog because I noticed that several blogs out there approached Zero Waste and environmental sustainability from a place of seriousness and distance. On top of that, some of them tend to guilt-trip those around them to adopt a more environmentally-conscious lifestyle that IS admittedly difficult to adjust to immediately, takes a lot of mental preparation — and to be frank, can be initially expensive.
Instead, I want to approach sustainability with some humor, candidness, practical information, and give you a positive space to make your own changes! Everyone is SO different. Everyone grew up with different families with different values. What looks sustainable for one person may look different for another.
I come from a large household where almost all my grandparents, parents, uncle and aunts grew up with less things so when they took care of me and their own kids, they tried to provide as much as possible. It’s endearing, but often overwhelming! A lot of the times it looked like they were hoarding food in three different fridges for the Californian “winter” and other times, my parents would steal a collection of plastic produce bags from the grocery stores because they needed them for future apocalyptic purposes that they later forgot about.
Talk about waste! But throughout those times, none of us knew we were harming the environment. However, what I was taught to value was clothing. We’d all wear our shirts or pants to death. If we still loved that shirt, we’d patch it up. But now it’s called hipster style 😉 Or if they were in perfect condition, my overalls and dresses were handed down to my newborn cousins by my grandma. It’s beautiful to see a petite dress you’ve outgrown come back to life in another child’s smiling body.
Everything I’ve explained to you are two experiences that are in contrast to one another but come from the same family. Humans are multi-dimensional and often unintentionally hypocritical in our ways of living. Thinking sustainably and living sustainably takes time to align with each other. I don’t consider myself perfect in living “Zero Waste” or owning everything that is certified Fair Trade, but I’ve gathered (and will continue to) lots of tips and information over the years on how to make it accessible for myself. And this is why I want to encourage awareness, tolerance, and understanding for ourselves and especially others. And most importantly, to have fun too!
And that’s my purpose here in this space—if you’ll allow me—is to challenge your old values and habits, and if you find yourself liking a new sustainable habit or lifestyle tip that I introduce to you, I hope you incorporate it into your life with your own twist and personality.
I can’t wait to hear from you,
Viv!