Turn and Face the Strange: Ch-Ch-Changes…
In many discussions I’ve had and in articles that I’ve read, it seems that there is one common theme about change – particularly regarding sustainability: The belief that “it’s too hard.”
Why?
Just think of all the cultural and societal changes that have occurred over the last 40, 50, 75, or 100 years! Clothing is one of the most obvious examples: There are many things that we accept today were scandalous yesteryear.
It’s too hard (not really) or I don’t want (or shouldn’t have) to (translation: ”I’d rather stay comfortably here…”) is the crux of the issue of change. Computer operating system updates and developments are a great example of this. I remember when a new computer OS was released a couple of years ago. There were a good number of individuals I knew that claimed it was the worst thing ever. According to them, the old one was good enough and there wasn’t a single redeeming thing of the new OS. Now, several years later, after everyone was “forced” to change to that one, a new OS is released. Now every one of those same individuals claim that the one they hated before is far superior to anything ever released and the new one is junk.
So, why is that?
Simply put, ego and fear. Fear of being different, fear of “making a mistake,” fear of having to put in extra effort to facilitate a change/difference, and the basic ego of, “What I think is right for me is right for everyone else.” However, once change occurs, everyone grows accustomed to how things are…they get pushed into taking the time to get used to the difference. And, a vast majority of the time, the world doesn’t end. Eventually the new becomes the norm, it becomes embraced into our comfort zone (by the ego), and we can’t believe we ever thought the way we did.
This seems to be particularly true with sustainability.
Switching to sustainable methods or products can initially be uncomfortable and scary. It’s different, new, and there are often “what if“ doubts because of the unknown. It also starts to incorporate an entirely new and different way of thinking and living. Also, often a major but to sustainable things is typically boiled down to someone not wanting to be that person on the block or in the office or be viewed as weird or different.
In today’s world of consumerism, we spend money on all kinds of things, because we believe those things empower us, or make us feel better than or equal to our friends and neighbors. We’re conditioned for it by media, family, peers, and society. Who has bigger/nicer houses, latest fashions, better cars, better gadgets? What are the celebrities we admire using/promoting? If one is motivated in this respect, they will generally change to meet that need and feel better about themselves.
However, when someone changes something in their lives that is different from the “norm,” others around them often judge it at every turn. Not because it is “bad” or because it is harmful, but because it is different. For example, put a generator on your house and you’re the cool person on your block, because you’ll have power during an outage. However, put a solar-powered power backup on your house, and suddenly you’re the gossip of the block. Some will think/say, “Why couldn’t he/she put a “normal” generator on their house? He/she must be one of “those people…” Yet at the end of the day, it’s the exact same thing; it just achieves the result it in a more sustainable, environmentally friendly way.
(By the way… when that emergency happens, and the power on the block is out, you can bet the neighbors won’t be laughing so much anymore!)
Before getting all defensive about why/how getting that standard generator is “good enough,” providing a dozen reasons why “it’s wrong” to have something like this in your neighborhood (there are even neighborhood HOAs that have very strict rules and all kinds of limits on solar equipment) and begin the claims that sustainable methods or products are inferior, clunky, “unsightful,” or don’t measure up…take the ego and fear of change out, and really look at what you truly need and why you believe what you believe. In this example of the generator, you might’ve gotten a generator almost big enough to power the entire block. Did you really need one that substantial? Did you actually buy it to power the entire block? Likely answer, no you didn’t. Often, we get something far bigger than is needed because let’s be honest: If something that just does the job is really good, we believe something bigger must be better, right? Especially if we “get a good deal on it”! Also, sometimes there’s the almost subconscious factor of now having the mega-version… and bragging rights to that. To go to the core need, the solar-powered one will last longer and cover what is needed at your house, which is really why you wanted it in the first place. Why not have the bragging rights to being an Earth steward and leading the way?
Keep in mind, there is also the other side of the coin: Implementing change for the sake of changing. That typically stems from political or financial interests of a company or institution; excessive marketing and media is put out there influence consumers to “get the latest gadget” to “be the coolest kid on the block” and “in the know” (I know, it sounds sort of ridiculous, but as a society, we ARE influenced by it every day)! One arena where this is prevalent is cell phones and computers. I’ve definitely been guilty of that one! In this area, we have such a throwaway society for “what’s new and improved” that we’re often convinced to spend $600-800 on a new phone (more on computers and computer accessories) when the one we have is often still quite up-to-date Not only is it wasteful of our personal expenditures… it’s bad for the environment, too. Personally, I love new tech gadgets; however, I’m now following my own advice, and striving to purchase new components only when my device is broken or truly not realistically functional in areas I need it to be.
For me, change and the incorporation of sustainability requires thought and long-term thinking, considering the bigger picture vs. the immediate fix. Can we be honest with ourselves? Can we look at what’s really important with honest, hard facts beyond what our ego believes will “make us look better/ more important,” which in turn is most often influenced by consumerist manipulation by individuals and companies who pad their pockets with your decisions?
Doing what’s purposeful rather than what is comfortable is something for us all to prioritize. That includes purchasing with a focus on sustainability… which is far more than the product itself. Do your homework. I mean, really do your homework. Don’t just look at things that conveniently bolster your preconceived notions in your comfort zone. You dig for all the details and reviews before you by that new appliance, and will even spend more on it just because it might have a rarely – if ever used – feature (that you can brag about having). Then why not spend a little more on a sustainable option? And instead of judging and condemning those around us for doing something different to make such strides… look at what THEY’RE doing, do some more research on whatever that is yourself, to see if it actually fits parameters of something you need.
If we all are willing to change, then changing to sustainable options will be easier and become the norm. Then we won’t judge or avoid being that person anymore, but instead embracing the idea of being the path-cutters and lead the effort!