Tiny Choices Survey: Lane’!
By tinychoices | December 10, 2010
We are so thrilled to receive a survey from Tiny Choices reader Lane’! Did you know that you too can be featured on a survey Friday? Take a look, answer some questions, and email them to us! The directions are below!
Vital statistics (name, age, location, link to website/blog)?
Lane’, 35, Portland, Oregon – http://www.TheLivingGreenSolution.com
How do you reside (apartment or house, roommates)?
I live in a house with my significant other and kitten who thinks he’s a small horse. We love the neighborhood but have dreams of one day moving further out of the city and into the country.
Are your housing decisions dictated by choice or necessity? Please explain.
A little bit of both. We recently installed a new furnace and tankless water heater – both of which were definitely out of necessity. In doing so, we tried our best to make sure they were as energy efficient (and Energy Star Rated) that we could afford. My significant other looks at the immediate cost of house purchases (what is it going to cost me now) whereas I look at the environmental impacts and how much we’ll save in the long run. We typically find a middle ground from there.
How do you travel (transit, car, etc)? Are your travel decisions dictated by choice or necessity? Please explain.
We live in outer Portland and getting to/from home takes quite a while – just driving a car. My significant other works 30 minutes away so he primarily drives. I compromise and limit/combine my trips and try to go car free at least 2 days a week.
Tell us about a Tiny Choice you’ve made in your life.
Which one?! I went through Master Recycler training in October of 2008 and since then have made many, many Tiny Choices in my life, but I’m always looking for ways to push myself further. This past summer I learned how to preserve food through the local Extension office. I made several batches of jams and jellies from local, organic berries as well as canned green beans, carrots, pickles and salsa. Next year I hope to do more including making my own spaghetti sauce. I’m less dependent on store bought groceries and I know exactly what it is that I’m eating.
What is the one environmental dilemma you personally struggle the most with?
Shopping and consumerism in general. It seems no matter where we go, we’re bombarded with advertising and the temptations to “buy”. I do a lot of cooking and I always seem to “want” a new kitchen gadget, but I end up asking myself “do I really need it? How often will I use it? Is there something else I have that will do the job?” I find my shopping habits have changed but I still sometimes have a hard time fighting off the urge!
What is one Tiny Choice you can make in that direction?
Anytime I feel the need to shop I’ll go “virtual window shopping”. I’ll look at my favorite retailers online, add items I see/want to my Amazon wishlist then move on. It makes me feel like I’ve gone shopping and usually when I come back to my wishlist, the item is no longer available. I also have a rule, if I buy one new article of clothing, I must donate two pieces from my closet. If I can’t find two things to part with, I can’t keep the item and/or go shopping in the first place.
What is the one environmental Tiny Choice you make that people question (in either a positive educational or a negative hassle way) you the most about?
Taking your shoes off at the door! I recently had to post a friendly note outside: “Life is full of choices, remove your shoes or scrub the floor”. What carpet we have left in the house is not in the best shape so people think it’s okay to leave their shoes on (it’s clean, just old). I have to kindly mention that what they don’t realize is that even though their shoes may be “clean” they’re carrying things that may not be visible to the eyes. Anyone that knows me and how green I am understands and just shrugs it off.
What is the one environmental Tiny Choice you would like every single person to adopt?
I can’t say there’s anything specific, however, I challenge everyone to set three green goals for themselves. I don’t like to push my own beliefs on people, when they’re able to make their own priorities, there’s a greater sense of ownership. Making changes should be done in baby steps, and once they complete their first three goals, they can set another three when they’re comfortable.
Do you feel like you make sacrifices for environmentalism? Please explain.
I don’t think so. I was raised in Alaska where sustainability is a part of life. I moved away in 2001 and have gotten used to “normal” ways, although I’m finding I’m slowly converting back to tradition. Any choices I make whether positive or negative are going to have some type of affect. If I buy in bulk using my own durable container, I’m using less plastics and saving money (paying more for food than advertising). However, when I drive my car I’m contributing to greenhouse gases. Both are decisions I make, knowing exactly what the cause and affect is of each. It’s how I live my life, and how I want to live my life.
Are you generally: optimistic, pessimistic, neutral about environmentalism and the future?
Up until a month or so ago I wouldn’t have been able to answer this question. However, I recently watched a documentary that had a segment with a hummingbird trying to put out a massive forest fire. All the animals in the forest were just standing there, including an elephant, watching this small hummingbird go back and forth with just a drop of water trying to put the fire out. All the animals were standing there helpless as the hummingbird went back and forth to and from the stream. The animals asked the hummingbird what he thought he was doing “you’re too little! Your wings are too small, your beak is too small, you can only bring one drop of water!” The hummingbird responds with “I’m doing the best that I can.” So I’d say I’m definitely optimistic. Maybe it’s just because I live in Portland, but I hear of people doing small things all the time. If we all did just one small thing, imagine how big of a difference we’d make!
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6 Comments
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Having a no-shoes rule makes so much sense! Shoes pick up so much dreadful stuff.
I have an whole blog about removing shoes in homes: Shoes Off at the Door, Please You might like to take a look.
It’s a fine lines between maintaing a clean healthy environment and alienating your friends. Without a doubt its best not to have shoes in the house, but what does one do about anomolies? We take off our dhoes, but not everyone sees the world as we do. There are many people who are unable to go without shoes. There are those who are unwilling to remove their shoes. Under uk law people have the legal right to be treated equally according to their needs. One can go on forever. Matthew how do you deal with anomolies? At some point somebody may well stand up to you. Unless of course you have no visitors which I suspect is the case after reading your blog
Guys, please keep it civil - we want lots of good communication and discussion but absolutely no personal shots!
I think for me, I make compromises. If I know they’re going to be in the house for a while (say for dinner), I do ask that they kindly remove their shoes and offer them a pair of socks (I have a TON). I also plan on buying a few slippers to keep near the door in case we have guests who feel a little shy or awkward. If I know they’re just going to be in and out I’m typically a little less insistent that they remove them. What they need to remember, however, is that it is *our* house - I would respect any requests made if in their home. And trust me, sometimes leaving your shoes on is better than taking them off (having had friends who had smelly feet)! LOL
Every since I’ve grown up, my family’s taken off our shoes in the house, and I do the same today. It’s just something we did (and I do). I understand that others will often enforce different norms for their own households; however, if it’s my personal residence, I don’t see why I should worry about altering my rules to suit others’ whims. I don’t mean to sound callous, but it’s my place. If someone were to come to my place and simply and categorically refuse to honor my rules, I would consider it to be extremely rude and an affront. I would be inclined to make exceptions for physical disabilities or other serious reasons, but even then I would expect the guest to explain their predicament and seek my approval.
If you had a norm about not setting down a mug without a coaster and a guest impudently discounted your rule by not using a coaster, would this not be pretty rude? If this developed into a clear pattern of disregard for your rule, you would probably want to have a talk with them and perhaps even reconsider why it is that you are associating with this person who apparently doesn’t care enough about you and your living space to abide by your wishes. At best, the guest’s actions would represent an extraordinarily immature mode of behavior. At worst, it would represent a potentially serious maliciousness.
very nice to read this personal story, i like the way she shared her personal experiences and sometimes the diffculties of choosing the “right” thing.
go lane!