We are not exaggerating when we say that each of us urgently need to turn into eco-warriors. The alarming rate of global warming and the frequency of natural disasters like the recent Australian wildfires, has us calling out for action! We can take some substantial steps towards living a sustainable life at our own individual pace and levels. It is not too tough to live a sustainable lifestyle. All we need is to make some mindful changes in our day to day lives. Like it is famously said, there is no planet B!
Choosing to use sustainable beauty products to making mindful food and fashion choices, being a true eco-friend is not so demanding. Going beyond the basic to-do list to save our planet, we have been thinking of how to make it fun and happening! Hobbies add the much-needed fun elements in our lives. Arts and crafts give a great creative satisfaction. How we love the art forms which help us upgrade, reuse and recycle! Cultivating some fun hobbies that will have the environment blessing us in return is the best thing to do. Here is the list of top few hobbies to regularly indulge into and be the planet’s bff for sure:
1. Decoupage
Decoupage is an art form that allows one to upgrade products to be able to reuse them. This art involves neatly gluing colourful paper cut outs in a methodological way. These days, there are great waterproof glues and decoupage products available in the market. It works well on wood, metal, plastic and glass surfaces. With decoupage, we can transform and reuse things that we would ideally toss into the dustbin. Those amazing glass jars with metal lids, preserved after finishing the jams and pickles can be decoupage and used as fancy storage bottles. We have upcycled furniture, wooden boxes, shampoo bottles and metal planters into masterpieces to keep for life. This is such an awesome way to reduce wastage for those who like all things pretty!
2. Basic Stitching
It is a well-known fact that the fashion industry generates almost 4% of the world’s waste each year. Basic stitching was considered to be a life skill in our previous generations until the retail world flourished by leaps and bounds. Now, clothes are mass produced and made available at lowest of prices. This encourages one to toss out the clothes that are even slightly ill fitting, ripped or damaged. Being able to alter and fix small little damages on fabrics is a great art form and hobby to cultivate! Imagine each one of us being able to fix and upcycle our favorite clothing pieces rather than shove them in thrash. The creative ones can go a little extra by being able to paint on fabric or do a simple embroidery to quirk it up!
3. Beach Plogging
Beach plogging is an activity that involves jogging by the beach while picking up environmentally hazardous waste. Such a fun hobby to make one fitter and the environment cleaner! To make it more exciting, one can join a plogging group or find a partner to go plogging with. If you not have a beach closer to you, you can go plogging anywhere and everywhere. We are super inspired by PM Modi after watching his 3-minute-long plogging video on Twitter. He shot this video at Mahabalipuram while picking waste plastic bottles, wrappers and other litter. His tweet said,
Plogging at a beach in Mamallapuram this morning. It lasted for over 30 minutes. Also handed over my ‘collection’ to Jeyaraj, who is a part of the hotel staff. Let us ensure our public places are clean and tidy! Let us also ensure we remain fit and healthy
4. Gardening And Seed Ball Making
Gardening is known as the hobby of the future. It is one of the most relaxing yet rewarding activities. Gardening is well known to treat depression, uplift mood and de-stress. To plant a seed and then nurture it through its growth phases is like food for the soul. Planting more trees is the need of the hour. Growing few of your own fruits, herbs and vegetables is exciting. One can also grow natural air purifiers like money plant and snake plant. A gardening enthusiast can also go an extra mile and make seed balls to throw during treks and nature walks. Spending time in nature while gardening is healing for us and the environment in ways more than one.
Famous American author Phyllis McGinley rightly said,
A hobby a day keeps doldrums away
So, which hobby are you picking up to be that amazing eco-friend?
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