How to be More Sustainable on Your Next Adventure with Guest Writer Janelle Keeler
A note from Christiana:
Hey everyone! Today’s blog post is written by our first guest writer Janelle Keeler! I am so excited for you to be able to read this and take in all the awesome advice and encouragement that Janelle has to offer. Janelle is a mom of two and a self proclaimed outfit-repeater. She runs the account @hellokeeler over on Instagram which is chalk full of all kinds of sustainable and wellness tips. She is passionate about practical sustainability and inspiring other to live intentionally. She knows her stuff and I know you guy are seriously going to love this post. Happy reading!
“...living sustainably means doing what we can individually within our own personal capacity to better serve the planet and those living on it alongside us. ”
Before discussing how to have a sustainable adventure, let’s quickly chat about what the word sustainable even means. That way we are even more prepared for when we set off exploring! For something to be sustainable means that it is maintained or upheld to a certain standard. Even the word “defended” shows up in the definition of sustainable. So when we think about sustainability in regards to the planet, we mean actions that will uphold, keep, and even protect the earth.
At the same time, the definition can be applied to us as individuals. In order for us to maintain a particular standard or uphold a specific lifestyle, it needs to be practical and attainable, especially over a long period of time. If we get in over our heads with goals and standards that are exhausting at best and mentally destructive at worst, we are not living sustainably. So putting those two together, I believe that living sustainably means doing what we can individually within our own personal capacity to better serve the planet and those living on it alongside us. This means that living sustainably looks different for each person, and that’s a beautiful reality! Now, we can get ready for our adventure!
“This means that living sustainably looks different for each person, and that’s a beautiful reality!”
The first step in having a sustainable adventure is to prepare! Be it deciding on a destination, planning your means of transportation, or preparing for sustenance, figuring out these details beforehand can help you save time and resources along the way. There’s nothing more stressful than frantically trying to find a place to rest as the night creeps in or searching for a last-minute food option after you’re already hangry. Those kinds of moments don’t offer peaceful, life-giving experiences and can rob you of your joy. So plan ahead to ensure your adventure is something you want to continue on instead of throwing in the towel!
As you prepare for your adventure, you can be mindful about the stops you will make along the way. Choosing to support local businesses, such as a bed and breakfast or a farmers market, is the second way to ensure sustainability! Rather than letting your money solely go toward big corporations and chain industries, seek out the locally-owned establishments to support! Giving back to the towns and communities that we visit is a great way to leave a positive impact.
Speaking of leaving a positive impact, the third way to strive for sustainability on a journey is to avoid leaving things worse than how you found them. For example, make it a goal to create as little waste as you can during your travels. You can do this by bringing reusable items such as your own water bottle, coffee cup, or to-go container. This way you can still enjoy a taste of the local coffee or enjoy a favorite snack without creating trash!
“...make it a goal to create as little waste as you can during your travels. You can do this by bringing reusable items such as your own water bottle, coffee cup, or to-go container. ”
The fourth way you can achieve sustainability on your next adventure is to do something that brings you joy and revitalizes your soul. Enjoying nature or appreciating various cultures and communities are beautiful ways to be inspired, fall in love, and make you feel alive. We all can get caught up in the daily grind, forgetting to stop and smell the roses or look up at the changing leaves. Taking the time to do something for the mere sake of enjoying it can help us as we journey on in our own lives, accomplishing the many necessary tasks before us.
“Remember that sustainability looks different for everyone, but keeping the planet and yourself well along the way is something we can all participate in together.”
I hope you are encouraged and moved to make sustainable steps on your next adventure! Remember that sustainability looks different for everyone, but keeping the planet and yourself well along the way is something we can all participate in together.
To mindful living,
Janelle
Get to know the Author!
Where is your favorite place you’ve explored?
My favorite place that I have explored is definitely in and the surrounding area of Osaka, Japan! During a whirlwind, four-day trip in 2017 we got to see and experience more of that beautiful country and culture than I thought was going to be possible. Everything about it left me in awe, from the landscape and cityscape to the food and social norms. Highly recommend a trip to Japan!
Why do you care about preserving our planet?
I believe that being a good steward of the planet and the things on it is part of my responsibility as an image-bearer of Christ. God created the earth out of nothing and he made it good! And he created us, too. We ought to treat all of God’s creation with care and dignity. Caring for the planet means we respect the people who live on it as well as the Creator who formed it. I also want my children and future generations to get to enjoy it as I have, and I believe my actions today play a big part in that hope.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?
Somewhere warm! I have never been much of a dreamer when it comes to travel, however I am a sucker for warm weather and this November chill has settled in a little too soon for my liking!
If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be and why?
First off, I’m obsessed with this question it makes me want to cry happy tears! If I had to choose only one tree to be, I think I would have to choose a sugar maple. I grew up with one in my front yard and it was such a special part of my childhood. From climbing and swinging on the low hanging branches to admiring its stunning fall foliage it holds so many beautiful memories for me. I hope that as a person I can provide strength, stability, and beauty to the people in my life just like my sugar maple did for me.
Where can we find you on social media?
Instagram! That’s where I hang out most and chat about all things low-to-no-waste living as well as what it looks like to live a mindful motherhood. Oh and it’s @hellokeeler :)
