As we kick off 2024, now is a great time to set a One Shade Greener intention.
Before diving in, it’s good to spend just a little time thinking about why you are starting the journey and what your approach may look like.
Below are some questions and thoughts to kick-start your green project for the year ahead.
What are Your Goals?
When you think about greening your home, what goals do you have?
Do you want to reduce energy use, choose healthier products, and/or relook at everything?
You could:
- Focus on one room in your home.
- Design a One Shade Greener project that looks at a room each month.
- Shift your beauty products as they run out to something greener.
- Find new cleaning and laundry products that are more sustainable.
The list of ideas could go on and on.
Keeping your goals at the forefront will keep you on track when deciding what ideas to prioritize.
How Will You Handle Trade-offs?
Considering the 4Ps Framework – Planet, People, Pocketbook, and Process – the elements can sometimes require you to make trade-offs.
How would you rank order the importance of the four?
There is no right answer here, just the right answer for you.
You might be at a point in life where your pocketbook tops the list, and you will focus on changes that aim to save you money.
For some, your top priority might be people, and the focus will be getting the toxins out of your home.
For others, lightening your environmental impact may be paramount.
Will You Go Solo or With Others?
Will you accomplish more on your own or in a group?
If you are disciplined and self-directed, dive in!
If you are concerned that you might not stick to a schedule and want some accountability to meet your goals, find some friends or co-workers to join you in overhauling their space.
Think of it like a “Greening Your Home” book club.
In fact, you could all use One Shade Greener at Home and make it an actual book club!
Is this a Household Project or Your Own?
If you live with others, your family and/or roommates, you need to decide if and how you will involve them in the project.
You might decide to partner on all aspects of your goal / project for the year.
On the other hand, you may have a conversation that discusses the project and decide where others will and will not be involved. Maybe they are comfortable that you will make some new product decisions (soap, laundry detergent, etc.) that they will try but don’t need to decide with you.
For changes that require the entire household, you could have discussions as they come up. During my first wave of changes, my family was aware of what I was doing but had no interest in being involved.
They didn’t resist, but it really was my project in the beginning.
You can figure out the level of involvement that works for you and those in your home.
Your Turn
What One Shade Greener goals do you have for the year ahead?
Do you think you will be more likely to meet your goals on your own or with others?
How will you prioritize the tradeoffs of the 4Ps as they come up throughout the year?