When I started my sustainable lifestyle journey, I had no idea what I was doing. I read a lot of books and blogs, watched a lot of documentaries, and tried out a lot of different things. But eventually, I realized that I couldn’t do it all alone. I needed someone to share the journey with me. Now, as a wife and a mom of three kids, I’m so thankful that my husband is on board with our sustainable lifestyle.
If you’re considering switching to a sustainable lifestyle but are unsure how your partner will react, here are eight ways to share your sustainable lifestyle with your partner.
Talk about Your Reasons
Chances are, your partner probably doesn’t know why you want to live sustainably. So sit down and have a conversation about why you want to live more sustainably.
Maybe you want to reduce your carbon footprint, or maybe you’re concerned about the chemicals in conventional products. Whatever your reasons are, share them with your partner and explain why sustainability is important to you.
Show Them the Financial Benefits
The idea of sustainable living turns many people off because they think it’s too expensive. But the truth is, sustainable living can actually save you money in the long run.
Show your partner how much money you’ll save by switching to reusable products, growing your own food, and reducing your energy consumption. Show them the bills, for example, and let them see how much money you’re saving each month. Chances are, they’ll be more open to sustainable living if they know it will save you money.
Involve Your Partner in the Process
As you start making changes in your own life, involve your partner in the process. If you’re switching to green cleaning products, ask your partner to help you research which products are best. Or, if you’re interested in reducing your energy consumption, ask your partner to help you figure out ways to do it. The more involved your partner is in the process, the more likely they will be on board with the changes you’re making.
In the beginning, stick to small steps and make it a team effort. The more your partner feels like they’re part of the process, the more likely they are to be supportive of your sustainable lifestyle journey.
Make It Fun
Sustainable living doesn’t have to be all work and no play. In fact, sustainable living can be a lot of fun! Find ways to make sustainable living fun for both you and your partner.
Gardening, for example, can be a fun way to bond with your partner while also growing your own food. Or you can make it a competition to see who can save the most water each month. The key is to find ways to make sustainable living fun and enjoyable for you.
Find a Compromise
Not every sustainable lifestyle change is going to be easy for your partner. And that’s okay! It’s important to find a compromise that works for both of you.
For example, maybe you’re interested in getting rid of all your disposable products, but your partner isn’t ready to make that switch. Instead of getting rid of all your disposable products, find a compromise that works for you. Maybe you can start by only using reusable products when you’re at home, and you can gradually work your way up to using them all the time.
The important thing is to find a compromise that works for both of you and to be willing to budge on some of your sustainable lifestyle goals.
Lead by Example
One of the best ways to encourage your partner to live sustainably is to lead by example. Show them how easy and enjoyable sustainable living can be by making changes in your own life.
Use reusable bags when grocery shopping, cook dinner together using locally sourced ingredients or start a compost bin in your kitchen. Whatever changes you make in your own life, be sure to involve your partner so they can see how easy and enjoyable sustainable living can be.
Encourage Them to Do Their Own Research
If your partner is interested in sustainable living but doesn’t know where to start, encourage them to do their research. There are tons of online and in libraries that can help them learn more about sustainable living.
Show them some of the resources you’ve found helpful, and encourage them to find others that interest them. The more they know about sustainable living, the more likely they are to be supportive of your sustainable lifestyle journey.
Be Patient
Sustainable living is a journey, not a destination. And it’s essential to be patient with both yourself and your partner as you make changes in your lives. Some changes will happen quickly, while others will take longer. The important thing is to keep moving forward and be patient with the process.
The Bottom Line
Sustainable living is a journey that you and your partner can take together. Don’t try to push your partner into making changes they’re not comfortable with, and be sure to find a compromise that works for both of you.
By making small changes in your own lives and involving your partner in the process, you can also encourage them to live sustainably. Just remember to be patient and have fun along the way!
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