When I realised I was getting near to 100 published blog posts I started thinking about the journey I have been on since November 2015.

Why I started a blog

My sustainability journey had already been underway for a number of years. I had learnt a lot through research, trial and error. Friends were starting to ask me questions about our lifestyle and practices.

I discovered the Live Your Legend self development programme through a Ted Talk. Soon after they put out a challenge to set up a blog and write something for 7 days. Mr Little Green Duckie (Mr LGD) encouraged me to make it happen. What did I have to lose?

My first post was about volunteering for the annual London coat drive; The art of engaging commuters. Here I am surrounded by sacks of donated coats at Waterloo station.

1st blog post image - A group of people with a cardboard cut out of a coat surrounded by sacks of coats

Developing and growing

The site developed along with me and my interests. I included minimalism and mindfulness topics from quite early on. For me these are intertwined with my sustainability journey.

Then as Mr LGD and I discovered transformative relationship practices we spoke about them in our first joint posts;

I decided to upgrade to a new logo and blog theme (look) with the help of some friends. This was my old logo for those that didn’t see it!

My old blog logo - A yellow plastic duck with a green hat and green background

More recently I have been including more posts about food and growing. The food aspect came from working and volunteering in a plastic free organic shop, Get Loose Foods. I write for the shop blog so a number of articles became cross posted. The COVID-19 lockdown started a growing food explosion. Friends were asking me gardening questions for the first time and I started a monthly update of my balcony growing space.

Balcony update blog - showing my balcony growing space in May 2020. 6 blue wooden troughs with plants in.

Mr LGD and I had been planning more join posts about travel, with a sustainable angle. How we choose where to stay and reviewing the places we do. This has of course been put on hold, but we hope to pick it up again.

What I have got out of blogging

  • The motivation to research topics of interest to me in depth
  • Encouraging friends to write posts on themes they are passionate about
  • Technical skills; Word Press, content management, mailing systems, SEO
  • Improving and developing my writing style
  • Enjoying people getting value from my posts
  • Connecting with other bloggers

What I have learnt

  • Issues are often more complicated than headlines might suggest
  • Sustainability is not black and white
  • Knowing my values has been more important than I imagined
  • Not to put too much pressure on myself
  • As my site is not monetised I can write what I like and enjoy the process
  • Sometimes its good to engage an expert to help with things that are not your natural skill set. For me this includes; web design,Word Press and graphic design.

My friend Reece who runs FreshWebz Web Design has been amazing!

A few interesting stats

Most viewed posts;

Most viewed blog post - me washing plastic items in a big yellow bucket.
Cleaning the plastic, piece by piece!
  1. Cleaning Rubbish in the name of art
  2. Where to shop with less packaging
  3. How to shop with less packaging
  4. Composting with bokashi part 2
  5. Where to recycle broken plastic hangers?

Most commented posts;

Most commented blog post image - broken clothes hangers
  1. Where to recycle broken plastic hangers? I never expected to know so much about this topic or have so much interest in it!
  2. How to shop with less packaging?

Guest posts;

Over to you

Whats your favourite post?

What would you like to see me write about?

Contact me directly if you have a guest post idea.