Happy New Year! While this won’t be one of those New Year, New Whatever blogs, (mainstream media has well and truly covered off the “secrets” to better *fitness/career/finance/mental health, (delete as necessary) I do hope it fills you with inspiration to make a positive impact in your own life as we leap into 2021, where uncertainty still reigns.
2020 was difficult for so many of us for so many different reasons and I would be lying if I said that Covid closures, political unrest and economic uncertainty alongside a general global disregard for human rights and the self-imposed destruction humanity is inflicting on the planet, doesn’t leave me feeling angry, sad and very frustrated. So this year I’m am taking on a mantra
That’s not to say I think we should sit back and do nothing, accepting that these issues cannot be solved by each of us alone does not have to result in a negative mind set (that defeats the purpose of this post!) I am a believer in the concept of
“Every little helps”
The idea being that if many of us make small (or not so small) changes, then together we can create real impact. What these changes are will vary between each of us as our priorities and interests differ. From charity commitments, to sustainability pledges, to community engagement to adopting mindful consumerism as well as addressing our own personal aspirations, there is something we call all do to create our own little impact.
Sustainability, rightly received more column inches in 2020 with Joe Biden committing the USA to re join the Paris climate agreement, President Xi Jinping vowing to reduce emissions and achieve net zero by 2060 as well as almost every retailer under the sun claiming the answer to sustainable consumerism. What defines sustainability is nebulous and complex (not for this blog) but without doubt our cumulative actions will result in environmental and ethical improvements.
There re various ways to consume more consciously, consider reducing your reliance on single-use plastic, or use more public transport, perhaps buy more clothes second-hand. It could be a commitment to recycle or and upcycle more or engage in swapping and donating instead of buying new, one mans trash is another mans treasure and all that.
I was so encouraged to see the opening of government-led recycling centres in Sai Ying Pun, and elsewhere, (read about them here) The waste to landfill issue in Hong Kong is severe but it’s good to see that positive steps are being taken to address this, I’m choosing to embrace what has been done, rather than what hasn’t YET been achieved. If you have this facility in your neighbourhood take the opportunity to use it, if the whole community follow suit, we’ll see real impact.
Veganuary is a fairly recent trend and according to The Vegan Society almost half a million people converted to a Vegan diet for the month of January, 2020 and this year the number is expected to rise. For me going vegan is too big an ask but I have committed to eating less meat, eliminating it from a couple of meals a week, this is a global trend that looks like it’s here to stay.
Listen to an interview with Green Queen founder Sonalie Figueiras here.
Many people I have spoken to over the last few months have expressed an interest or curiosity about how they can do more to give back, not just financially but by pledging to regularly donate their time to a cause that matters to them, (there’s no shortage of those who need our support) The sense of achievement and pride in helping others can greatly improve our own mental well being. Check out LocalMotion to understand how you can put your skills to meaningful use within your community.
LocalMotion founders Belinda Poole and Sarah Fowler featured in #impact here.
If that seems like too much then perhaps look closer to home. If like me you live in a building or complex housing tens if not hundreds of other households, consider what changes would make a difference to all. I have been thinking about the small things that could improve my community, for example adding a seating area to the recent outdoor landscaping would be give residents somewhere to enjoy the outdoors. I’ve also noticed that many residents like to give away books on the building Facebook group, so the addition of a permanent book swap facility in the club house would be great. Yes, these are small things but the impact of these communal gestures on creating a wider community can be great and have lasting impact.
Personal Impact is perhaps the most important of all, if 2020 has taught us one thing, it is the importance of looking after our mental health alongside our physical. By neglecting it, we cannot function well and be the support to ourselves and to the ones we love. If we all took small steps to manage our sleep, our diet, and exercise while never forgetting to take the time to talk to a friend or loved one, then together our communities will be in better equipped to tackle whatever 2021 throws at us.
Doing good makes us feel good, and goodness knows we could all do with a bit of that right now, so here’s to 2021, let us work together to achieve our goals and create impact, no matter how big or small.
About the Author: Sheryl Bolden is an advocate for sustainable consumption, with an almost twenty year career in retail Buying and Sourcing she is passionate about sustainability, having worked for some of the biggest high street retailers. Sheryl is determined to become part of the solution and not the problem. She recently graduated from HKU after completing a Post Graduate certificate in Corporate and Social Responsibility. Sheryl is also a huge fan of Liverpool Football club, red wine and loves organising “Frock Swaps”, combining her love of pre-loved fashion and raising money for causes that matter in Hong Kong.
