To Care…

Why I’m sharing & caring:

One thing I do know though positively, is that I am more motivated than ever, and even feel a sense of responsibility, to the mission of protecting our Earth, her bountiful nature and inhabitants, and getting other people to also care.

Because everyone should indeed care…!!

It’s exciting and cool to me to have the ability to do that through a career, and is what I have always dreamed of doing, hence going to school (and dedicating so much of my life and money) to studying environmental science and sustainability.

I was kind of expecting to return home and be hugely anti-working ever again for corporate America, anti-typical 9-5 life, pro- wanting to disappear off the grid on some remote small island far away… which is all, still partly true.

BUT, also after that soul-nourishing trip, my motivation for this career pathway has actually been more heavily reinstated. My desire is not just for the sake of the physical environment, but also for the sake of respecting people in other parts of the world whose livelihoods DO indeed rely on abundant nature, flourishing ecosystems, and preserved land.

And just the thought of contributing towards something good for the world keeps me going, as it does for many people.

We sat and talked with this man in Banjul working a juice stand for so long, sharing a bag of peanuts, while he taught us some Mandinka (another native language of the region)

While we may not always feel this super dependence on the Earth throughout our daily lives in our bubble, we should at least remember that we are not the ones who will be displaced or harmed first by the consequences of over-consumption, pollution, and worst of all— a lack of caring.

(a relevant example of how environmental and social catastrophes are currently occurring overseas can be seen with the fire of Kantamanto Market in Ghana, I recommend reading about it- especially if you’re into secondhand shopping/thrifting).

It is so much easier to care when we simplify our lives. When we take a moment to clear our minds of the nonstop invasion of clutter and complication that we’re exposed to daily.

When we spend more time being curious and harmonious with nature and in awe of its existence.

When we focus deeply on the people around us and actively engage, listen, and learn from them. For me, traveling really helped deepen my intentionality with this.

Somewhere in Ireland

This pic makes me laugh. Taken at a hostel in Kas, Turkey, meant for the hostel website. What a genuine moment

Ways to care:

Of course, we are all equally susceptible to becoming a blind participant in some of these destructive institutions and habits every now and then, it happens and it will continue to happen.

But we can also try to channel our focus towards the beacons of hope that guide us away from the destruction.

It exists around us already in a lot of ways— community-driven volunteer organizations (park/beach clean-ups, recycling initiatives, garden/tree planting), inspiring advocates and leaders catalyzing change and contributing their innovations, people who are open-minded, people who care.

And of course there are many easy and accessible ways to care and promote positive change just by yourself.

A lot of it can be done just by consciously consuming less, thinking through if every purchase is absolutely necessary— a thoughtful way to also declutter your life. This is something that has helped me a lot because I tend to get overwhelmed just by having and handling so many things. Minimalism is super cool and makes life much easier.

Swiss cows are my spirit animals

Albanian mountains are endless beauty

Simple everyday practices I try to do & personal recommendations :

I love and try to shop second-hand, for everything, clothes, home decor, appliances, furniture. Thrifting and buying used actually curates a far more unique and personalized style than buying the same trendy things everyone else already has. I love bringing my old clothes to stores that pay you for take-back, and if they don’t take them in, I love going to local clothing swaps to freely and easily exchange with other people.

I try to, when accessible and when weather is favorable, to buy food at farmers markets and any type of locally sourced food. I love centering my sunny Saturdays around going to my local farmers market with friends or family, it’s so wholesome and nourishing, and almost always guaranteed someone else will want to go. I love carrying around those cute reusable grocery bags and totes, and usually keep a stash in my car.

I LOVE walking, and always think it’s worth the extra time to replace a usual short driving commute with a leisurely walk there instead. Any chance I can get to spend more time breathing in fresh outdoor air is always nice. Listen to an audiobook, podcast or music and vibe the f*** out.

SO much to learn, so much to be involved in, so much to care about! Let’s collectively care!

We’re all just drifting around simultaneously amongst the unknown and sometimes unkind confusion that is life.

But while we drift, we can also try to find pockets of warm, gentle air that lift us towards the enchanting gifts of life such as community, nature, and simplicity. And loveeeeee each other to the max.

Cute lil monkey family in Banjul, Gambia

Sneaky pic I took of my dad and uncle (brothers), while meeting up with them in Italy

Marissa & I walking off into the dusky void around her Gambian village

Final final thoughts:

Another common reply to a “how are you” greeting in the Wolof language is, “maa ngi fi”, or directly translated to English is, “I am here”.

Now THIS is the ultimate declaration of peace that friends of The Gambia and Senegal have mastered, a steadfast acknowledgement of simply being alive, what a gift!

I am here, you are here, a celebration of presence. Simple. as . that.  :)

Xoxo