A rambling beginning

I created this blog not only to document my journey to, what - environmental nirvana? (how narcissist does that sound!) No, it is more like documenting my journey of the awakening of my consciousness and changing my American Consumerism Habits to a more sustainable and green life. But this blog is mainly to help in my journey to find a balance between obtaining my environmental nirvana and living in harmony with my family within our current society.

What does that mean?

I hate half these trendy terms I just used to describe this bog and my journey. I hate that "going green" is such a trend these days, and so many of the efforts out there are really not addressing the root of the real issue. Simply put, how can "buying more green items" (which is, after all, the mainstream hype of the green movement. ) really save the planet or change the me-centric, pleasure obsessed, convenience driven society we have become?

We need to address more than our carbon footprint, more than reduce, reuse, recycle, more than consuming green products rather than highly toxic products. Yes, these things are a great start, and kudos to those who are making these changes! I started with these steps too! But we as a society must address the whole of our lifestyles and make some very fundamental changes that will mean radical changes to the habits that are so deeply etched into our subconscious.

This drastic and huge change, however, is very difficult to obtain (and sustain!) overnight. Going green overnight is rather like the heroin addict quiting cold turkey. You have withdrawals. You have triggers that make you fall off the wagon. You have people in your life that are enablers. And most importantly, you need good support to sustain long-term sobriety.

My name is Kay and I am an addict. I am addicted to convenience and consumerism

I have tried short periods of going green cold turkey. My family revolted, my communities thought I was nuts, and basically it was not inspiring to anyone around me. Even to my fellow crunchy friends. To be truefull, it was not inspiring to me either! I was miserable. It was such an extreme change for me that I felt miserable, and lets face it, who is going to maintain something that is miserable. I needed to find the balance between ending my addiction to convenience and consumerism, and living in society.

And so begins my journey to sobriety. I hope to document my successes, failures, and efforts as I struggle to find the balance between going green and living in society. I hope to develop a community to support me, so I do not feel alone in this journey. I hope to be inspired and educated. I hope to find that balance, and when I fall, I hope to find the courage to pick myself up and keep on going from where I fell.