Recently, I began an online course about the UN's 17 SDGs and how businesses can be more conscious about their operations. As I was hooked on the course, I learned about a gem of an allegorical story - the Hummingbird Story.
What is the Hummingbird Story?
The story goes like this... a hummingbird finds its forest ablaze and takes decisive action to fly to the nearby river, take a drop of water in its beak and put it on the fire. It repeatedly does this, with all the other bigger animals (clearly more capable of carrying more water but are too scared) simply onlooking as passive bystanders. They ask the determined hummingbird why it's doing something that is so futile to which it profoundly replies: I am doing the best I can.
I am doing the best I can.
This might be one of the most accurate analogies I've heard of that expresses how complex sustainability is in such a simple way. And NO - I am not saying that it is impossible to achieve a sustainable present. The biggest battle is often within us and we might not know how significant our actions are... making us feel alone many times.
Tracing back sustainable traditions will open your eyes
While understanding the story's message fully is easier said than done, I want you to open your eyes and observe your current lifestyle. (A regular introspection, or a self 'check-in' will help you gain more clarity about leading a sustainable life.) I am from the south of India and like every Asian, food is a huge part of our culture. Traditionally, my family is vegetarian and, in fact, mostly vegan. After an insightful conversation with my mom one day, I realised that food sustainability has always been practised in our homes. (For those of you who are unaware, I run a sustainable juice business which I'm very passionate about. Read on to know more about it.)
Many South Asians eat using their hands, reducing the need for cutlery. Eating with our hands makes use of the fifth sense that is left out; taste, smell, sight and hearing make the process of eating enjoyable, but you can truly connect with the food you eat when you enable the tactile sense, too! Traditionally, we eat our meals on banana leaves, which are abundant in nature. These are the most renewable forms of plates, really!
A vegetarian meal from the south of India is very sustainable because of the low impact on the environment and food supply. Everything is typically locally-sourced and is very nutritional. A sustainable diet is not just about the environmental impact but also maintaining good health in the long run. It is also a common practice to minimise food wastage by using different parts of the vegetables in different ways!
For instance, any unripe vegetables can be used to make lip-smacking chutneys. (A paste-like dish.) Here are a few examples:
The recipes and images of the chutneys are not owned by me. They belong to vegrecipesofindia.com. All images of vegetables are from Google Images. Click on the photos to be redirected to the recipes.
This just shows that sustainable choices are completely doable at home. We underestimate the power of little things, like a sustainable diet. To put into perspective, here's a shocking fact:
An estimated 17 percent of total global food production is wasted, with 11 percent in households.
But why am I telling you all this?
The 'Apocalypse Fatigue' is real
Circling back to what I said earlier, we often face what is known as apocalypse fatigue; making these never-ending choices that are moral dilemmas without a defined sign that these choices are doing any effective good. We sometimes think we are never doing enough.
"Should I walk to the nearby shop or drive even though I feel exhausted?"
"Should I consume seemingly controversial vegetarian options, like avocados and honey when I know they cause some damage, too?"
"Should I take that tiring, hours-long road journey when I can instead fly down in less than an hour?"
The apocalypse fatigue is real; We are always making these never-ending choices that are moral dilemmas without a defined sign that these choices are doing any effective good.
You're not alone, trust me. As a sustainability entrepreneur, it can be fatiguing to constantly make those "right choices"—but it takes time for one to realise that sustainability involves everyone and that you're never alone in this journey.
I realise that it's pretty pointless that I'm simply highlighting the fact that this fatigue exists and not suggesting any approachable measures to this misunderstood concept called "sustainability". So here are some effective measures you can take to make your sustainability journey more positive.
#1: Comparison is the thief of joy.
We definitely have to stop comparing ourselves to others. While this advice applies to all aspects of life, it is vital in a sustainable life, too. If you feel like you can't give up that yummy paneer (cottage cheese, an Indian delicacy) but you're trying so hard to be vegan, it's okay. Forgo all other dairy products instead because you're still doing something. If you are unable to completely switch to public transportation for practical reasons, it's okay. Don't beat yourself up because every individual's journey in leading a sustainable lifestyle is unique and beautiful—not painful! In an era of constant technological innovation, we are more exposed to others than before, and it is very easy to fall into the trap of unabating unhappiness when you see that one influencer who has the 'perfect' lifestyle and you can never match their life. Why should you? You are the hummingbird in your story and you are doing the best you can.
Every individual's journey in leading a sustainable lifestyle is unique and beautiful—not painful!
#2: Be aware of accurate information from trusted sources
Another way to feel less stressed about this is to be aware of accurate information regarding climate change through reliable sources. Don't let social media be your main source of information because these platforms many a time undermine the authority that science journals and articles possess. We should be fighting climate change together, but it often appears to be the case where scientists and the general public are divided when it comes to concerning correlations and data. The 2021 movie, Don't Look Up is a satire on major world leaders' inaction towards climate change and how the public is indifferent. Even if you really cannot show care towards the cause by actions, you can most definitely read about proven trends and learn more about climate change. I always advocate awareness because this can be the most effective way to bring about change.
Awareness can be the most effective way to bring about change.
#3: Start small and it might just blossom into a beautiful journey.
My interest in sustainability turned into a passion around the same time I started blogging (which also turned my interest in writing into a passion). I was encouraged by my mom to join a workshop-cum-competition about food sustainability. My team won and a few months later we were contacted by a green company who wanted to mentor us. That was how we started Jugo—a juice business that rescues imperfect fruits from being thrown away; our tagline perfectly sums up our mission: A second life, a second chance.
We are still a small, humble business with a strong passion for sustainability. If you would ask us a year ago, we wouldn't even imagine being where we are today. We have faced a lot of challenges but we also find our work fruitful (pun intended). And who knows what's in store for us a year from now? What's certain, though, is that being sustainable isn't a passing trend or fad... We need to put a conscious effort—big or small—into assimilating more sustainable choices into our current lifestyle.
Final thoughts
We all start somewhere and if we come to terms with the reality that 'something is better than nothing', then we will feel much better about trying to be sustainable. We should embrace our roots and traditions because the answers to many problems lie there. We should do our best as responsible global citizens. That is all I believe in.
Follow Jugo's Instagram account: @just_jugo
Follow me on Instagram: @sska286
I hope you liked this heartfelt post. Please like, share and comment below on what sustainable practices are observed in your cultures! Stay tuned for more :)
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