Pretty much every media outlet we rely on, mainstream or otherwise, constantly bombards us with "green" topics. Many retailers and manufacturers are moving towards greening their products (though whether they are successful or whether sometimes it is just greenwashing is debatable). These days it is pretty hard to avoid the issue, but sometimes there is just such an overwhelming amount of information, including both scare tactics and sound advice, that we might find ourselves using the handy old technique of avoidance. Since we know that's not the right answer either, probably the best way to go is take some time to sit down and think for yourself, considering all of the information that is out there, and decide what, realistically, you can do. And if you don't live alone, think about scheduling a time to talk to your roommate(s), significant other, family members, or whomever else about how you can work as a team to infuse some positive changes to your lifestyle. The key at first is to select changes that are realistic, that you can feasibly do. Don't pick as your first project a grand scheme to convert your house to solar power. Instead, think about planting a veggie garden in your backyard or patio (and maybe later add in composting to go along with it). Make a plan to carpool with a neighbor or a spouse. Try to limit yourself to one meat-based meal a day (if you are not already a vegetarian). Don't buy bottled water from Fiji. (Drink filtered tap water instead.) Wash your clothes in cold water and hang them on a rack to dry. This list could go on and on, but you get the idea—make it manageable to facilitate success rather than frustration and failure. Don't overwhelm yourself with doom and gloom, simply try to find ways to manage your life in a more environmentally friendly way.

The suggestions listed above are all extremely simple steps that we can take. What is more important than any particular change that we can make, though, is the idea of shifting our consciousness to a place where we are not just taking and recklessly consuming without any remorse. Instead it's really a matter of being conscious of ourselves and the way we are conducting our lives so that we can move toward living a life that is more respectful of our world. Once we get the smaller steps mastered, then we can hopefully move on to a point where we are leading our lives in such a way as to not perpetuate massive drain on our Earth's resources. Just remember, we have to start somewhere.

Image Credit: Flickr user ndanger