January 2, 2023

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A Sustainable 2023 Starts With You! Create A Future To Look Forward To

Are you looking forward to 2023? I hope so. Now more than ever, we need encouraged and motivated people to make a difference. To contribute to our planet - the paradise which sustains our lives. Although there are many ways to be sustainable, we overlook one: how you can make a meaningful impact. I do not mean recycling or going zero waste. What I mean is who you are as a person. How do you fit in with your uniqueness and strengths? Sustainability has all opportunities open for you. What matters is if you are willing to discover them.
Written by Veronika Tietz

2022, what a year. It has been a wild ride – positive and negative. Sustainable issues are more significant than ever. I would even say that every day the pressure to implement sustainability increases. Luckily, a sustainable 2023 starts with you. It is wonderful to have you on board. No pressure 😉 but I want to show you why you are important in the sustainable transitions discourse.

There is one thing I want to clarify before we dive into creating a sustainable 2023 worth looking forward to. Many believe that pursuing a sustainable lifestyle is all about reducing your carbon footprint, recycling, avoiding plastic or becoming 100% zero waste. Although those endeavours are desirable, they are only partially making a difference. 

New Year Sustainability

Instead, what can really make a difference and contribute a meaningful impact in our world is YOU – pursuing or fulfilling your dreams, desires and needs. Of course in light of sustainable principles. Therefore, I want to equip you with a different perspective and provide you with some fresh air about how to start a sustainable 2023. You came to the right corner of the internet.

Before you underestimate your potential to create real change, I want to show you why you play a crucial role in creating a sustainable world.

Why you are the most important resource for a sustainable 2023

Social sustainability is an overlooked topic. Humans created a big mess over the centuries until now. Now we have to find the proper detergents to clean up. Moreover, we need to find solutions for the chaos so that it does not occur again. A world without enough empowered humans who want to create a sustainable and desirable future is prone to fail.

We have a human, not a science or technology problem. I believe that we can invent as much as we want, but if we fail to address the societal and environmental problems from a societal perspective, we will continuously have to deal with immense challenges instead of developing our lives in the best way possible. Does it make sense to you?

Focus Here

Related article: 7 Powerful Ways To Focus On What Is In Your Control

Do you know the quote, “If I only had an hour to chop down a tree, I would spend the first 45 minutes sharpening my axe” by Abraham Lincoln? Imagine that you are the axe. If you invest time into reimagining what you really want from life (at the moment in time, it can always change), how you can contribute to a more sustainable world and what you have to do to create a future worth looking forward to, you are already better equipped.

45 minutes is all you need to make you competent in becoming more sustainable. In fact, to create a sustainable 2023. 

Humans are trouble maker

Although humans are the cause of a lot of trouble, we do not focus enough on the human mindset to achieve real change. In 2023, I want to change that. I will do my best to empower as many people as I possibly can to make 2023 count. I hope you are one of them. 2023 where we lay the foundation to create a future worth looking forward to. 

See it as a chance to have a say. To become part of creating something better where your needs are met. Where you can live a life true to yourself. Focus on what is important to you. Indeed, you will gain more clarity and confidence to make decisions that benefit you, others and the environment.

A sustainable 2023 can not happen without you – we need all hands on deck. Are you looking forward to 2023? What are your goals? What does your vision look like? 

Put those New Year’s resolutions aside and focus on what is really important: You

You are not here to optimise or improve yourself. For a sustainable transition, we need people who know or are willing to discover what is truly important to them. One of my favourite ways to figure this out is by creating a vision board.

The Oxford dictionary defines a vision board as “a collage of images and words representing a person’s wishes or goals, intended to serve as inspiration or motivation.”

Reimagining a future worth looking forward to can be a fun activity. But where to start? What does it look like to envision a sustainable 2023?

Flower Vision Board Planner Ink-Friendly Vision Board Planner

I created two vision board planners to make it easier and more fun for you to start envisioning a brighter future. The planners shall guide you in making positive and meaningful changes – to achieve your aspirations and goals. 

What is important to me is to not dictate what you should do with your life. My role is to simply inspire you to become more confident and positive about making sustainable choices and looking forward to the future.

 

Real change starts with you. 

Creating a sustainable 2023 has never been easier

You might wonder what the difference between those two vision board planners is. Simply put:

Sustainable 2023 Vision Board

The My 2023 Vision Board Planner is colourful with more visual elements like dried flowers, playful patterns etc. This vision board planner is ideal for digital use. You can easily reuse it if you do not mind the 2023 on some pages. 

Sustainable Vision Board Planner

The Vision Board Planner is a more print- and ink-friendly version. It entails the exact same pages, but in black and white with minimalistic black-and-white visualisations. It is not bound to a specific year, thus you can reuse it for the coming years.

 

You can find both planners in my Etsy Shop ReSustainability.

Use the code SAVE50 to get a 50% discount on both vision board planners!

Additionally, I have created a detailed description of how you can make the best out of those vision board planners. Here is a shortcut to the little instructions: INSERT POST LINK

 

I’m looking forward to creating a sustainable 2023! Full of wonders, magic and a future worth looking forward to!

 

Big hugs!



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How An Improved Definition Of Sustainability Will Actually Save The World

Sustainability is minimised to dealing responsibly with our resources for our and our future generations (plants, animals and resources included). It is more than simply ticking the boxes. It’s about finding the right balance between social, environmental and economic Sustainability. The latter is not even crucial for our existence, but we give most of our attention to economic development. More importantly, we need to switch the focus on ecological and human health and vitality. Profit can only exist with people and the planet. So let’s change our understanding of Sustainability to create a world that suits us all and not an economic model.

Fostering Ecoliteracy: The Love That Keeps On Giving

Ecoliteracy is a widely unknown term. In view of the environmental challenges we are already experiencing, ecoliteracy needs to become the forefront of educational strategies. Our existence is bound to well-functioning natural systems. It is not only about our existence, it is also about our way of life. I find it heartbreaking how our natural world suffers because of the societal systems we call the norm. Although it might sound too spiritual to some, societies need to reconnect with the natural environment. Developing a sustainability mindset is the solution to understanding your role in the natural world.

Make A Meaningful Impact: Alyona From Dobrosphera

Make A Meaningful Impact is an interview series about people – like you and me – who make a difference in our world. All of us are deeply concerned with the state of the world, but we cannot solve the world’s challenges ourselves. Therefore, I created the series Make A Meaningful Impact, where I invite different people to an interview to show us what they do to make our extraordinary world a livable and enjoyable home. They found their journey and role in contributing to a better future – a future to look forward to.

From A Carbon Tunnel Vision To A Holistic Collaboration Approach

Sustainable development has a very carbon-heavy taste to it. It has already been recognised that we need to move beyond the carbon-only approaches; to achieve effective, sustainable outcomes. What we experience globally is a Carbon Tunnel Vision. It’s a clever play on words to highlight our selective attention on mostly Net-Zero Goals. The Carbon Tunnel Vision framework aims to open our eyes to other human and natural crises. Global warming is only one part of the interconnected crises. Let’s not get trapped and miss our chances to fight our challenges effectively. I want to show you how easy this can be by taking a more holistic and collaborative approach.

ABC Of Sustainability: The Vital Role Of Words To Change The World

The alphabet is the foundation of many spoken languages. Communication is a necessary factor to understand our world better. Our choice of words determines our success or failure. The words we use reflect our knowledge, beliefs and values, thus underestimating the power of words can get us into trouble. However, trouble is what we are in considering the many challenges humankind is facing. Sustainability is associated with different terms and it is our choice if the words we use bring positive or negative results. Which words does it take to make our world a better place? Let us find out!

Create An App And Contribute To Sustainable Development

Contributing to Sustainability has never been easier. With the world wide web, we have access to almost any resource we need to support a sustainable transition with apps for example. Apps are super convenient because we always have our smartphones with us. It’s also not so complicated anymore to develop an app. There are so many different apps to help us be more sustainable. It doesn’t matter if you want to be more environmentally conscious, eliminate your waste habits, purchase environmentally and socially responsible products, etc. There is an app for everyone. If not, maybe you can develop one in your underserved niche.

Sustainability Thinking: The World Is Ending. What Are You Taking With You?

In view of the many crises we need to overcome, it can feel quite daunting. Too many think they do not have enough of what it takes to make our world sustainable. It might be true because they think in a way that does not encourage action. Thinking differently has been frowned upon for too long. But that’s what we need: the diverse capabilities of all human brains. Sustainability thinking can become a successful pathway to deal with environmental issues, social unrest and economic collapse. A sustainable future depends on the way you imagine it. Make the most out of it!

Challenging Your Assumptions And Beliefs: 7 Effective Approaches

Nowadays, valid proof is more important than anything. It’s tough to avoid polarising messages as they seem to creep around every corner. Therefore, it’s essential to look at how you perceive the world. From questioning your thinking patterns to considering other people’s perspectives, there are many ways to challenge your assumptions. Those skills help you understand the world a little better and find the reasoning in a conflict-centred world. It’s not easy, but definitely worth your time to deal with how you perceive the world. I want to show you an easy shortcut you can apply every day. Enjoy!

Sustainability Podcast: WHO’S GONNA SAVE US

The WHO’S GONNA SAVE US podcast is about the heroes who will enable the world to avert the worst impacts of a climate disaster: people like you and me. Questions about “Why do we have to do it?” are changed to “How are we going to do it?” This podcast provides you with inspirational stories from people who simply want a better future. A future where we are not threatened by the climate crisis. How they are doing it is wonderfully discovered by the host Jo Lauder and her team.

Starting Small, Thinking Big: How To Begin Your Sustainability Journey

Embark on a transformative journey of sustainability, and unlock the value this article holds. Your courage, challenges and the urge to change unsustainable habits, is needed to ignite empowerment through even the smallest shifts. Shift your thinking, prioritise sustainability, and become a catalyst for broader change. Additionally, inspire others with your sustainable mindset and actions, creating a ripple effect of positive transformation. A resilient future cannot emerge without your contribution. Every small step you take makes a difference. The real impact will come from thinking big. Therefore, unlock the gateway to a fulfilling existence, impacting yourself and the world around you.

7 Comments

  1. Tahila Mongoya

    Really great insights here, love your blog

    Reply
  2. Lindsey

    Love these ideas and resources! Having a vision with a plan is such a great way to accomplish what you want in a meaningful way. Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Fransic verso

    That’s awesome, never tried to do a vision board before but would love to try it. Great explaining about why. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  4. Natalie Perry

    Can’t wait to check out the vision board planner! I love the sustainability tips. Great 2023 goals!

    Reply
  5. Jeanine

    This is fantastic and so practical I love the “focus here” diagram…so much is out of our control but how we react and what we do personally is not… and focussing on the things that matter to US is a great place to start…

    Reply
  6. Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment)

    Very good information and encouraging regarding being sustainable. I appreciate you sharing this post. 🤗

    Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment)
    Letstakeamoment.com

    Reply
  7. Edith

    Oh, you are so right about the societal issue and the fact we need to focus more on humans than the rest. It’s all about connecting with one another. That’s why I have created a collaborative address book on my web to help local stores and brands thrive! Because what we need is to go outside, meet real people, in our villages, towns, and cities at local stores and cafés, and support our community! Beautiful board as well, thanks!

    Reply

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