2018 is almost here, and with every change of season or change of year, I think it’s appropriate to jot down a few New Years Resolutions. My life as a mom has forever changed, and I find value in reflecting on my now and trying to figure how to be better.

Did you know I have a degree in Environmental Studies? No. It’s kinda useless degree besides proving I can learn at the post-secondary level for six years and not go insane. It also instilled a lot of environmental ethics and misery into my life. I’m  aware that the world for my children will look incredibly different than the world I lived. And while I’m not so great at being an environmental citizen, my goal for 2018 is to be better.  So, let’s talk my New Years Resolutions for the Crunchy Mom

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to earn a small commission on any purchases you may decide to make. I also work directly with some brands such as Omaiki as a brand ambassador and receive products at no cost. This doesn’t influence my views. 

I plan to be a better mom, friend, and blogger next year, but more importantly, I plan to be a better environmental citizen to help the world for the future of my children.

10 New Years Resolutions for the Crunchy Mom

Another Disclosure: being environmentally conscious is kind of gross because life is full of sticky wet messes and we’ve copped out into taking shortcuts and hurts the environment and our communities. Sometimes life is less about shortcuts and more about finding time to be better and spending less time on the internet.

1. Reduce Toilet Paper Consumption: Family cloth is what they call reusable toilet paper. Mainly tiny pieces of flannel I’ll wash with my cloth diaper laundry every week. I have these great squares from Omaiki to use!  Baby steps because I’m just going to use it for a pee. This is going to be great because one day we might live little and flushing paper into a septic system bulks up the system from what my husband tells me.
2. Grocery Bags: I’m hoping to find some reusable bags that spark some joy in my life and take up less space (because truthfully, if we move tiny, I can’t store these massive bags, it’s not a wise use of my area). Thanks for the suggestions on Facebook.  I’m currently eying up a few ideas on Well.ca.
3. Produce Bags: I’m ditching produce bags for 2018. This is a ridiculous plastic bag that I never know how to reuse. You can buy these nifty reusable produce bags that just wash and bring with you. I often avoid bagging my produce in general, but I know the cashiers don’t love that, and sometimes a dozen lemons just need a bag.
4. Disposable Wipes: These are a significant crutch in my house. I can’t seem to break up with them, but more importantly, must husband can’t. I figure, in 2018 I’ll stop buying them all together, and we’ll be forced to use the collection of reusable cloth wipes I have for wiping bums. I’m still going to use them when we go away on holidays because travelling is an exception. 
5. Try out a Feminine Hygiene Cup: This mama relies mostly on cloth pads, which are great, but a cup might change up the game. I hope to chat with theGreenVagina to find out the perfect cup for me.
6. Use Reusable Food Pouches: Between the snack bags I pack my children’s sandwiches in, to my obsession with applesauce pouches, I need to quit cold turkey. I’ve heard good things about the Bummis Snack line up? Worth trying?
7. Walk More: And not just because of health, but because I live within walking distance of my favourite places. Trips to the store, the local playground, or even a café can quickly be done on foot, and I want to make that happen.
8. Break Up with Paper Cups: I’m so bad at using disposable cups to feed my coffee addiction, but this idea needs to happen. While I do recycle them, it would just be better to bring my mug.
9. Get a Reusable Coffee Filter: Swap out that paper for something washable for my coffee maker. This seems to be the trend.
10. Buy Less, Borrow More: I purged so many things in the past three months on the path to tiny living. And whether we buy tiny, or just move to a better home, I know I need to spend less money on things and learn to be a little more creative. I got rid of so many things I had only used once, twice, or never. I got rid so many things that were just junk. So, fewer shopping trips for knickknacks, and more asking around to borrow something when I need it. Because I don’t need to own a dozen lint rollers or three hands held mixers, and I can make do without the ease of a massive stock pot.

Do you think about your goals for 2018? Do you plan to take advantage of this time to make some changes?

Don’t worry; I’m not waiting for January 1st to make this happen, I’m making it happen now. I’ve used reusable toilet paper, searching for better shopping bags, and I haven’t bought disposable wipes despite the box running out (and my husbands’ insistence, I just keep ‘forgetting’ at Costco). The stockings are full of practical things we needed – new toothbrushes, bubble bath, and mostly chocolate.

These are changes, for now, that should have happened yesterday, but I look forward to the future. Share with me your ideas, suggestions and recommendations in the comments.