I am always trying to persuade people how rewarding it can be to make things for yourself and do things for yourself from scratch. Often, taking a DIY approach and taking that little extra time to work from scratch rather than buying things in can be the best way to start to live more sustainably. Sustainability doesn’t require 100% self-sufficiency. But the more self-reliant you can be – the easier the journey can be.
Whether we are talking about food – and home cooking, clothing, home decor, or home made cleaning or beauty products, for example – there are plenty of ways to take things into your own hands. You can make delicious meals from scratch rather than buying pre-packaged, processed meals. You might knit or sow, or craft a range of things. You might grow, then use, a range of plant materials to clean yourself and your home.
Doing things from scratch takes time. But beyond the benefits to people and planet in broader senses, taking a DIY approach can give you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. There is something very rewarding about being able to point to something tangible and pat yourself on that back at a job well done. That is a type of satisfaction that you cannot simply buy.
EWSP Consultancy 