July Challenge

 Can You Believe It's Almost July? Let's Kick Off a Simple Sustainability Challenge!

I don’t know about you, but I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that we’re already halfway through 2025. July is knocking on the door, and I’ve got a little challenge for you—don’t worry, it’s simple, realistic, and can make a big difference.

Here it is:
This month, pick just one single-use item you rely on and swap it out for a reusable version. That’s it. No pressure to overhaul your whole lifestyle—just one small change. Because real, lasting sustainability isn’t about being perfect; it’s about progress, one habit at a time.

As Desmond Tutu wisely said,

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it is those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

Need some inspiration? Here are a few easy swaps to consider:

• Reusable ziplock bags – I’ve made this swap myself and love how sturdy they are. Some can even go from the freezer straight into the microwave!

• Reusable paper towels – These are a must-have in my house. We go through a lot of paper towels, so having a big stash of reusable ones really helps.

• Reusable water bottles – You probably already have one (or five). They come in every color and size imaginable!

• Reusable grocery bags – This one is a work in progress for me. I use grocery delivery services often, and those plastic bags pile up fast. But when I shop in person, I try to remember to bring my bags.

So, what’s one swap you can make in July? Leave a comment or tag me if you decide to join in—I’d love to cheer you on!

Learning (and Unlearning) from My Kids

Just a short update today, but it comes with a twist: I got schooled by my own kids.

When I started this blog, my goal was to teach them—my wonderfully stubborn family—about sustainability. But today, my daughter Giselly turned the tables and taught me something.

Lately, I’ve been obsessed with ChatGPT. I use it for writing help, ideas, even creating fun images. I was showing off one of those images to Giselly when she hit me with, “You know that’s bad for the environment, right?”

Wait, what?

I Googled it... and yep. She wasn’t just making it up. Turns out, the more complex and wordier your prompts are, the more energy these tools use. Here’s the article she pointed me to: https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/worst-chatgpt-prompts-for-the-environment

Ironically, just the other day, I posted on my personal Facebook asking friends if they say “please” and “thank you” to ChatGPT. I thought I was being polite. Turns out, I was just wasting electricity in the name of good manners. Whoops.

And then my son Aiden, the artist in the family, chimed in too. He told me using AI to generate images is harmful to real artists because it pulls from their work without permission. Basically, I got hit with a double-whammy of environmental guilt and creative ethics.

But you know what? I love that my kids aren't afraid to call me out—and that they’re paying attention. Apparently, you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Oh, and a quick trash bin update: the recycling labels I ordered? Totally ignored. This morning I was elbow-deep fishing apple cores and banana peels out of the trash again. So I moved the trash can to the other side of the recycling bin. Maybe making it inconvenient will force them to think twice. Fingers crossed!

If you’ve been enjoying my blog and want to support my work (or fuel my next eco-friendly idea with a little caffeine), you can now send a virtual cup of coffee my way. Every sip helps me keep writing, sharing, and digging recyclables out of the trash—because sustainability is powered by stubbornness... and coffee.

👉 Support my work 

Thanks so much for being here!

The Great Recycling Experiment

Stubbornness: My Secret Sustainability Superpower

One thing I’ve learned on this journey to live more sustainably? You have to be willing to let things flop. And I mean spectacularly flop sometimes.

As someone who really, truly hates when things don’t go according to plan, this has been… an adjustment. I came into this hoping my family would jump on board with reusable everything, recycling rules, and compost like it was a group hobby. Spoiler alert: they did not.

Turns out, new habits are hard. Especially when your household might just be full of undiagnosed ADHD (I see you, fellow scatterbrains). Remembering what goes in which bin is already a challenge—now add in composting, reusable bags, and me popping out of the pantry going, “WAIT! That can be repurposed!”

But here’s the good news: I’m stubborn. Very stubborn. And sometimes that’s exactly what you need to keep going when no one else wants to sort their recycling or stop using paper towels like it’s 1997. So, while progress has been slower (and messier) than I imagined, we’re still moving forward—one forgetful, begrudging family member at a time.

The “Totally Going to Work This Time” Plan

In an attempt to make recycling easier (read: harder to ignore), I came up with a plan to help my family help me help the planet.

Step one: I bought a double-sided bin. Yes, it’s technically a laundry hamper, but hear me out—it’s on wheels, easy to wipe clean, and way more stylish than those clunky plastic things. I rolled it right into a spot next to the kitchen where no one can pretend they didn’t see it. Now it’s basically impossible to toss something without making a choice: trash or recycle?

Step two: I ordered some cute, super clear labels from Etsy to stick on the trash can and each recycling bin. They explain exactly what goes where because, apparently, “figure it out” wasn’t working. While I wait for the labels to arrive, I’ll be continuing my glamorous role of digging through the regular trash to rescue recyclables. Ah, motherhood—equal parts love, sacrifice, and elbow-deep in yesterday’s spaghetti.

Stay tuned to see if this system sticks—or if I just end up talking to the bin like it’s my only ally.

Here is the link to the bin I bought. I am not an affiliate, just sharing where I got it in case someone is interested. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Yecaye-Laundry-Hamper-with-Lid-150L-Freestanding-Large-Laundry-Basket-with-Wheels-2-Removable-Bags/6697257794?classType=REGULAR&athbdg=L1100&from=/search

Breaking Up with Paper Towels (Kind Of)

 

Let me confess something: I used to have a serious paper towel habit. I’m talking at least four rolls a week—more if something got spilled, the dog made a mess, or life just felt especially sticky (which, let’s be honest, is often). My family and I used them for everything: cleaning, wiping faces, drying hands, laying under snacks—basically, if it could be paper-toweled, we did it.

Then I saw a meme that said,

“I have the paper towel habit of a much wealthier woman.”
And let me tell you, I felt so seen... and a little called out.

That was my wake-up call. Not only were we throwing money away—literally—we were also tossing roll after roll of trash into the landfill. So, in my quest to be a little greener (and a little less broke), I started looking into unpaper towels.

Enter: The First Swap

I wasn’t sure how it would go. Would they work? Would they gross me out? Would my family actually use them?
Spoiler alert: It was a total win.

Unpaper towels are washable, reusable, and surprisingly satisfying to use. We keep a bin of clean towels tucked in a kitchen cabinet, and when they’re dirty, they go into a basket under the sink until laundry day. Easy peasy. I don’t miss the rolls at all—well, except for the occasional super gross mess. We still keep a backup roll around for those moments, because balance.

The Real Victory

Switching to unpaper towels was the very first change we made on our sustainability journey, and it felt like such an easy win. It saved us money, reduced our trash, and made me feel a little more in control of the chaos.

And honestly? Every time I grab a reusable towel instead of tearing off a paper one, I feel like I’m slightly outsmarting the system—and that’s a good feeling.

Welcome to My Wildly Imperfect Sustainability Blog

Hi there! I'm Evelyn — and if we haven’t met before, you should know this upfront: I’m a little all over the place. I suspect I have ADHD (still waiting on an official diagnosis), I’m deep in the rollercoaster of perimenopause, and anxiety is my ever-present sidekick. So, if you’re looking for a perfectly organized blog with a clear, linear narrative... you may want to adjust your expectations. This is going to be a bit of a ride.

The heart of this blog is simple: I want to encourage families to live more sustainably — starting with mine. Full disclosure: my family isn’t exactly excited about this journey. They’re more like... reluctant passengers. But I’m hopeful that with time, these eco-habits will catch on. I’ll be sharing what we try, what flops, and what (hopefully) sticks. Honestly, if I’d started this when my kids were younger, it might’ve gone smoother. But here we are, with teens who are very much set in their ways. Still, once I get an idea in my head, there’s no stopping me — and I’m bringing everyone along for the ride.

Oh, and one more thing: I’m lazy. Like, deeply lazy. My spirit animal is a sloth, and I wear that with pride. I like things simple, quick, and low-effort — because after a long day at work (which involves a lot of calls, emails, meetings, and brainpower I don’t always feel like I have), I come home, put on my comfiest pajamas, whip up an easy dinner, and collapse into my recliner for the night.

So if you're looking for real-life sustainability tips from someone juggling work, teens, exhaustion, and a desire to just do nothing... you're in the right place.