ADHD Earth Day: Ways to do good without going crazy

We all want to do more, to do good, to do more good - but we are also exhausted. Here are some fun or easy things to do.

First off - No guilt! We carry enough of that! (That is not what this post is about.)

Second - "progress not perfection!" (look if you are one of the unique individuals that can do a zero waste challenge and only have a mason jar of trash after a year - yes you are awesome! Yes you deserve kudos! However, I struggle to feed myself properly, not let the food in my fridge rot, take my vitamins, and make a few phone calls a week. )

So in light of my own limitations here are a few things that I do or try to do! So Perhaps try one this month, and another next month?

Tip #1 - Sharing is Caring

Doing the right thing is hard - but sharing isn't!

The easiest way to protect Earth's resources is to share. You don't have to buy new things when you don't need them beyond a single project. Most home improvement stores have rental programs for larger items. Or, if you do buy, you can share them with friends and family if it something you don't need all the time. Or gasp! ask to borrow something! Or many places have libraries with rentals for items not just books!

Tip #2 - Giving is fun and feels really good - go Dopamine!

As people with ADHD/ADD/ or some other neurodivergences, we tend to accumulate things from hyper-fixations and passing interests. There are lots of ways to get a dopamine hit while helping the earth and others.

1. You can donate these items to craft and art non-profits that can re-use these for education or sell to support their programs (in San Diego we have a place called ArtFORM - you may have something similar in your area!).

2. You can have an exchange party with your crafty and artsy friends - instead of a clothing swap - swap art supplies and crafts!

3. If you feel like your place is cluttered and you don't know what to do - you can post items on spaces like freecycle , trashnothing.com , Offerup.com , facebookmarketplace or similar.

4. Next time you go through your doom box, junk closet, spare area, what have you - attach labels for the last time you used it - that way if you aren't ready to let it go right now - perhaps the next time you see it - and the date you used it last or thought about it - it will be easier. (PS yes I totally realize the fear - that one week after you give it away you will wish you hadn't - I don't know what to do about that - aside from hoping that that giving it away brought someone else joy!)

5. If you have the finances - giving to organizations that protect natural resources, our environment, clean air and water, and access to them is huge! Remember monthly giving is more powerful on their books and for rhetoric than a single donation - so even if it is $5/ month in most cases that may be more powerful than $50 in a one off donation - and an easier financial burden:). (for suggestions and examples see the end of this post).

Tip #3 - Learning, Crafting and Repair is even better!

The next time you want to buy a bunch of things for a new hyper-fixation, look up these same sites (listed above) to buy items to re-use or use second hand. Re-use is always better for the Earth and your bank account.

So I really wish I was better as sewing and embroidery - as there are so many cool videos of how to repair holes in clothing with decorative stitching.

But if you are like me and not needle-talented (despite how many Victorian Romance Novels I read) - check out these other repair types

1. nosopatches.com so I looooove this company - they have cool stick on patches specifically for nylon and similar hiking/ camping gear - they have fun designs by independent artists too! After all a 10-20$ patch is way cheaper than a new tent or jacket!

2. My dad got some denim iron patches from amazon - I have to admit they look pretty cool, and they've lasted over a year now!

3. you can also look up peek through patches and iron patches on places like etsy.com

4. OR - you can ask a talented friend for a favor? Hey maybe you have a very cool friend that will repair you stuff for a barter of wine, a meal or one of your talents!

   
   

BONUS: look up re-use crafts to get excited about a project around things you already own!

Tip #4 - When you need to shop...

1. Buy Used / Second Hand. First have fun checking out your local thrift stores, flea markets, online markets for items. For clothes - I really like thredup.com - but I know the brands I like and the sizes so I can minimize shipping on items that may not work. They also have a take back program for all those clothes you aren't using.

2. Buy only things you absolutely need OR absolutely love!!

   I know way easier said than done. Hmmm, okay I was going to say - "Buy from brands committed to sustainability and increasing it." Which is great!! But we don't all have that financial luxury. So - try to do that, but most of all limit yourself or try to by buying things you absolutely need or absolutely love. Yes there will be stuff in between - and you will still have stuff in your closet of things you used to love and hope will fit again! And that is okay! (I think the idea of a capsule wardrobe is amazing - but I have finally accepted I am not one of those people). (PPS if you want to learn more about sustainable fashion check out Aja Barber .)

3. Figure out your own style and what makes you comfortable -

   So I'm still struggling with this, but it is easier now that in my 40's I'm finally finding my own style and not trying to conform to a fashion or societal standard. When we try to fit a mold or standard that doesn't align with us we end up with a lot of "fun" things in our closet that we wear once and never again. Yes we have those events there are other options...

4. Rent don't buy - sometimes it's more expensive, but when you have a special event I suggest using a service like Rent the Runway - we rarely re-wear those outfits to weddings, or bachelorette parties or the like, so why take up the closet space, or commit to a dry cleaning bill? (Although yes there have been times I found a $12 sequin dress at Ross - so that won out:) This may also serve those that generally work from home, but occasionally need office wear for conferences and the like.

   
   

Tip #5 - Quality over Quantity

Every time! (Almost)

Some things are built to last but most are not these days. This goes for everything from shoes, to clothes, to plates and even soap.

• Look- some items are expensive because they are worth it, and worth investing in. Now that there are more online apps like affirm.com and even layaway programs on amazon.com you can budget for the items that will serve you longer. So invest in the things that will not only make you happy and comfortable, but will last longer!

• To explain the soap comment - look at concentration when you shop for detergent and recommended dosage - the cheapest isn't actually always the cheapest - and with that - many places now have bulk stores for detergent and soap - where you can bring in your own bottles to fill up! - They also tend to be more eco friendly and gentle for sensitive people.

• Times it matters less - is probably at your 4 year old's birthday party where the party favors might as well be bought at the dollar store. (no it's not Earth friendly but it is realistic). Unless you happen to be a person with a lot of time and craftiness and make some sort of cool reusable activity with take home gifts! Look I love my 3 year old nephew - but he will bulldoze through everything! It doesn't matter the quality - it will have a very, very short shelflife.

Don’t Forget - your voice matters!

Exercise your voice, use your words, write your thoughts: above all else - remember your voice is powerful and it matters! If you have the energy for the challenge write your local representatives. In the USA there are sites like 5calls.org , or check out environmental non-profits for recommendations tailored to your interests. (Places to start: NRDC.org , Audubon.org , The Nature Conservancy , National Wildlife Federation , 350.org , Earthjustice.org , Environmental Defense Fund , The Wilderness Society , and more!)

PPS - This is not an all inclusive list - these are just some suggestions:)