Tell me about it. I feel so powerless. I was feeling a lot of eco-anxiety a few years back, and decided to make changes in my life. In the past 5 or so years, I haven’t eaten any animal products, I’ve been car-free and used a bicycle as my main transportation, I’ve limited purchases of clothing or technology, opting for second-hand stuff when I do.
At first, it made me feel super good to act more in accordance with my principles. But then, I realized people started seeing me as an extremist. That these overall pretty simple lifestyle changes were considered “too much” by the average person, even one who supposedly cares about the environment. Realizing this has just made me hopeless for the future of our species. We’re confronted with total annihilation of our existence, and taking the bus or not eating a hamburger is considered “too hard”.
I’ve had this experience too. It’s oddly social isolated to live a little more dedicated to the world around you rather than strictly yourself. My family thinks I’m super weird for using a bike to get everywhere and being vegan. The world we live in is overall too dedicated to convenience and comfort, even when it is actively killing us. It has comforted me that I’m doing my best, but I think the floods and fires will need to be literally at our doors for anyone besides people like you and me to do anything.
I feel you on the social isolation. It’s nice to hear that other people feel this way though. Couldn’t agree more with what you’re saying.
A wise person once told me “What can you do if you live in a shoe? Move down the block, live in a sock.” It’s a bit absurd, just like life, but I like the phrase because it reminds me that despite how futile things can seem, at least we can say silly things that rhyme, and have a bit of fun.
Tell me about it. I feel so powerless. I was feeling a lot of eco-anxiety a few years back, and decided to make changes in my life. In the past 5 or so years, I haven’t eaten any animal products, I’ve been car-free and used a bicycle as my main transportation, I’ve limited purchases of clothing or technology, opting for second-hand stuff when I do.
At first, it made me feel super good to act more in accordance with my principles. But then, I realized people started seeing me as an extremist. That these overall pretty simple lifestyle changes were considered “too much” by the average person, even one who supposedly cares about the environment. Realizing this has just made me hopeless for the future of our species. We’re confronted with total annihilation of our existence, and taking the bus or not eating a hamburger is considered “too hard”.
I’ve had this experience too. It’s oddly social isolated to live a little more dedicated to the world around you rather than strictly yourself. My family thinks I’m super weird for using a bike to get everywhere and being vegan. The world we live in is overall too dedicated to convenience and comfort, even when it is actively killing us. It has comforted me that I’m doing my best, but I think the floods and fires will need to be literally at our doors for anyone besides people like you and me to do anything.
I feel you on the social isolation. It’s nice to hear that other people feel this way though. Couldn’t agree more with what you’re saying.
A wise person once told me “What can you do if you live in a shoe? Move down the block, live in a sock.” It’s a bit absurd, just like life, but I like the phrase because it reminds me that despite how futile things can seem, at least we can say silly things that rhyme, and have a bit of fun.
Art is a wonderful comfort honestly, its one of the more pure aspects of humanity.