Tag: Chinese American Zero Waste Blogger

10 Things I’ve Eliminated Since Going Plastic-Free

10 Things I’ve Eliminated Since Going Plastic-Free

When you first start off on your plastic-free journey, it can seem daunting. But I like to tell newbies to eliminate before finding replacements. Here are 10 things I stopped buying when I started living plastic-free.

5 Items for a Quick Plastic-Free First Aid Kit

5 Items for a Quick Plastic-Free First Aid Kit

Traditional band aids and ointments are made with plastic and packaged in plastic. To avoid some of that extra plastic, here are some plastic-free options to first aid kit essentials.

8 Self-Care Ideas

8 Self-Care Ideas

Things have been a little tough this year, right? And where we can, we should do a little self-care before our train completely derails. Here are some easy ideas to help you get back on track to being your best self!

  1. Sip a Warm Beverage
  2. Meditate
  3. Stretch
  4. Dance
  5. Read a Book
  6. Take a Bath
  7. Buy a Plant
  8. Take Time For Yourself

1. Sip a Warm Beverage

Oftentimes, our mornings are rushed and routine. We chug our coffees and teas while pouring through emails and other work. Even now, when we’re maybe working from home, it’s easy to dive right into work.

Instead, take a few minutes to sip and enjoy your morning coffee or tea. One of the things I love about our Chemex Coffee Filter is that it takes a little bit of time to make. So, I get to savor the aroma while it’s brewing. It’s not instant like a K-cup and it’s so much less wasteful.

If it’s a weekend, try one of the drinks in 4 Warm Drinks to Keep You Cozy During the Holidays.

Olivia for the Ocean - Plastic-Free Living

2. Meditate

There’s a lot going on in the world and in our minds today. Sometimes, clearing it all out helps us refocus and recharge. If you’ve never meditated, it can seem intimidating. But it’s as simple as sitting in a quiet place and clearing your mind.

There are some helpful apps such as HeadSpace, that can guide you through the process.

3. Stretch

The process of stretching allows for time to breathe. It increases flexibility and range of motion and helps to prevent injuries. Taking a break from our work to stretch for a few minutes is a great way to reset our bodies.

4. Dance

After you’ve stretched maybe turn up the music and do a little dancing! I’ve danced all my life. From ballet and jazz, to hip-hop and ballroom dance, I’ve always been a dancer. And few things put a smile on my face faster than shaking it to some Beyonce or Lady Gaga.

5. Read a Book

I love a good book. A wonderful story full of life that I can’t put down is in some ways so much better than a movie. Sitting in a cozy place and getting lost in another world is a wonderful escape from everything going on. If you need a suggestion, The Alchemist and The Graveyard Book are two wonderful stories.

6. Take a Bath

Soaking in a hot bath is an easy way to relax your body. If you want to jazz it up, you can add a bath bomb from LUSH which are always plastic-free.

7. Buy a Plant

I’ve recently bought a number of plants for my house and I’m still surprised at how happy they make me. I smile every time I see them. And as an added bonus they help filter the air I’m breathing! I talk more about these plants in 5 Easy Air-Filtering Plants.

Olivia for the Ocean - Plastic-Free Living

8. Take Time For Yourself

This last idea summarizes the whole list. Take a little time for yourself. I know we’ve been in quarantine and you might consider this whole time as time for yourself. But break away from the routine, the bad news, and the social media, and take some time to do something that makes you smile.

What do you think? Can you squeeze one of these ideas in today? What are some of your favorite self-care routines? Tell me in the comments!

For related and random posts, check out:

Olivia for the Ocean - Plastic-Free Living
How I Filter Water Without Plastic

How I Filter Water Without Plastic

Our bodies are up to 60% water, so staying hydrated is important for our bodies to function at its best. But so many water filters are plastic with disposable plastic cartridges. Here’s a simple solution.

All My Trash For Plastic-Free July

All My Trash For Plastic-Free July

I’ve been saving my trash in a “plastic audit” since October of last year. While I live a generally plastic-free lifestyle, I’m not 100% plastic free…yet. So, in an effort to get rid of the last 1% I review my trash each month.