How to Avoid Ethical Overwhelm – Rule #1: Be Kind

Image Source: Cait Miers Photography

Ethics and morals or “doing the right thing” are taught to us at an early age. In a world that has been tailored to economic expansion, we now deal with the daily issues of exploitation, waste and pollution and it is only natural to occasionally feel guilty or overwhelmed by this*.

In Australia and other developed countries, we sometimes unknowingly contribute to the problem – “would you like a straw with that?”. As far as we are along our ethical revolution, in 2017 & 2018 we are still coming to terms with the amount of change required (renewable energy – need we say more?) and how to to implement that change for a brighter future.

Our twilight era..is not the fun kind.

We are in a twilight period between the ‘unconscious polluting’ of the past, yesterday’s ‘education and activism’, and find ourselves responsible for;

changing corporations, to change habits on a larger scale, and
trying to clean up the mess we’ve inherited

This is possibly the most difficult era for environmental change which creates enormous pressure for our generation (that is everyone living in this era). Yet still we want to tackle it all and correct our lifestyles overnight.

If you can relate to feeling overwhelmed, I’m here to offer a pause button. Pause to take a breath and release yourself from any of the world’s burdens. In fact from now on, your only responsibility is to be the best you…nothing more. *sigh*

Image Source: FLICKR USER MARTINAK15

You’re now in the ideal position to realise your full potential, knowing that every small improvement made in your life, is a positive one for the world as well.

Are we able to completely remove waste, pollution, and exploitation from our consumption overnight? Probably not. Can we make a single conscious change each day whilst educating ourselves and others? YES!! Abso-freakin-lutely!!

So Rule #1. and in fact the only ‘rule’ on this journey is to Be Kind.

Be kind to yourself. Don’t expect perfection and make sure your changes are realistic. If something is too challenging e.g. becoming vegan or going zero waste, dial it back a bit and just take small achievable steps forward until they become part of your daily routine. Then repeat.

Congratulate yourself on all the good you are doing; this week a keep-cup, next week anything is possible! The fact that you care enough to educate yourself and find solutions can have a ripple effect that WILL in fact change the world.

Being kind to others is easy when you realise not everyone is on the same stage of this journey as you are. ‘Being the change’ is the most effective way to change humanity, as the small things you do each day influence and inspire those around you.

And of course, taking one small step each day/week towards being kinder to the environment is the greatest direct impact we can have.

You are now an initiated, unique, eco-warrior who improves the world every day, in their own way, and we salute you!

*Comments and opinions expressed are the author's own. If you feel anxiety or overwhelm at any time beyondblue is here to help. beyondblue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.