Do you sometimes feel like you don’t have the power to make a difference or impact? Like what’s the point of even trying if you won’t even be able to see or know what good you’re doing?

I recently talked in ETM’s newsletter about the good stuff happening in the world currently. I was feeling sort of bombarded with all the negativity in the news and media, and I wanted to take a second to appreciate the positive.

You see, I know exactly what it’s like to feel like I can’t make a difference. If I’m just one person, what can I really do that won’t just be erased with things that are out of my control? And that’s why I talked about the good stuff happening in the world right now. Because most of them take the idea or work of one person trying to make a difference and multiply it. Or tweak it and make it their own. And so on.

All it takes is one person who believes they can create an impact. And then the right people will support it and widen the impact. It really is a pretty cool thing! So for today’s blog, I am going to list 3 simple things you can do to try to start making a difference today. And when I say simple, I mean simple. I mean these literally take minimum to no effort at all to start making ripples of impact!

Reduction

No, not like the glaze. I’m not even sure how to cook that fancy. Reduction as in reduce your use.

I know I’ve talked about this before, but the three R’s are actually listed in order of importance. So you first want to focus on reducing your consumption and carbon footprint, reusing or re-purposing the items you do consume, and then recycle the leftovers.

Now I know first hand that all this is a lot easier said than done, but the trick is to start small! Work on projects that inspire you so you know you’ll complete them. Work on the same good action over and over until it becomes habit. You get it.

One thing that we reduced our use of in my household is paper plates. They’ve always been a part of our lives, so it took me a while to even see where I could make the change. Yes it’s more dishes to wash, but in the end, it is honestly one of the easiest ways to make a difference and an impact right NOW!

Another thing we’ve cut out of our household is plastic water bottles. Again, something I’d been used to buying for years so it didn’t seem off to me. Now we use a Brita filtered pitcher! But since we’ve made the switch, I’ve actually found myself drinking more water. A win for my health, and a positive impact made on nature – yay!

Use and Reuse

Here’s where a lot of people feel defeated before even beginning. Where to begin? And what to even reuse? Should I stop buying things altogether?

First of all, there’s no need to feel like it’s go hard or go home on this one. It’s the small changes made over time that add up to the big differences. Obviously there’s no way you can stop buying things altogether. Even the craftiest DIY person buys things.

The big idea is to look where you are buying in excess. If you find yourself going through the same packages of food over and over, see if there’s a way to buy in bulk. Bring reusable containers to the store to fill up on goodies and you’ll find yourself throwing out less!

Or look for ways to reuse things around your home to save money and make a difference. Reuse glass candle containers as drinking cups, office organizer cups, or whatever else you can think of! Turn your empty wine bottle into a citronella candle holder, or an old flower vase with a twine handle as a lantern for outdoors! Use your imagination!

Recycle

Last but not least, recycling is still a great way to make a difference!

It can be recycling used plastic and aluminum to a local facility. (Plus, in most cases you make a little bit of money doing so!) Or it can be recycling old clothes to a Salvation Army or thrift store. (Some places will even pay you or give you store credit also!)

It can be recycling used food scraps into compost and using that for a garden. Even recycling cardboard and paper items to be used in other ways. Whatever you’re capable of doing, do it! You might not even realize the impact you’re making!

Look, I know how it feels to think, “How am I actually going to make a difference?” Trust me, I really do. But I also know that when one person tries to make a difference, no matter how small, and another person, and another, that the impact made collectively is bigger than any of us could’ve made on our own. And I think that’s the point.

The whole point of the three R’s isn’t to make you feel overwhelmed, or even inadequate. It’s to make us understand that instead of our old and used belongings ending up in a landfill somewhere, they can have useful new lives that continuously make a difference!

Have any other ideas how we can change the world? Share ’em below! You could be the person who brings value into someone’s life!

Thank you so very much for being a part of ETM’s community of Mommas! We encourage you to join discussions, interact with Mommas alike, and be unapologetically yourself! Until next time, I hope I’m able to help make your life as simple as could be. (:

With all my love, Brandolyn – Earth to Momma