"Being eco" is a life philosophy. Having environmental awareness goes beyond not littering or recycling. It means keeping the environment in mind and considering the impact of our actions on its well-being. Based on this, we will think about acting in a way that generates the least negative impact on our environment and consumes fewer natural resources. But how is this achieved? I'll tell you an anecdote: a common trip to the supermarket.

You need to do the shopping. Before leaving, you make sure to bring your reusable bags this time; you had forgotten them last time. You're on your way to the supermarket, with your reusable mask, for which you only change the filter inside with each wash. On the way, you think, "I should buy more vegetables and less meat, that way I'll start #MeatlessMonday and maybe add another day during the week" to reduce your ecological footprint.

You arrive at the store, look at your list: "ketchup," you start scanning the products on the shelves. You don't think much about it and grab the brand you always use, in plastic packaging. This detail had gone unnoticed on so many trips. However, your new ecological conscience strikes: what if you look for a glass container? Yes, that article about the benefits of using glass containers that you read on Instagram, from that eco page you were wondering "should I follow it or not," has served some purpose. You return the ketchup to its place to exchange it, then, as if by magic, all these new glass jars appear in your visual range, and you take one of those. How curious, right? It's like when you hear a song for the first time and suddenly you hear it everywhere.

You continue completing your list. You inspect the aisles in search of your favorite liquid soap, among the different varieties and sizes, you continue with your routine. Since you're already thinking about glass containers, you look for this alternative for your soap, but you can't find it. You ask yourself, "And what will be the eco-friendly option for this?" You search and search, wishing you could refill your old container, but they don't offer those services there... "Next time I'll buy it in bulk at that eco-store I heard about," you assure yourself, but you're in the supermarket and you need the product. "Eureka! A bar of solid soap," you say, it doesn't even have packaging, one less piece of waste.

You realize that, yes, everything truly has an alternative; you just have to think and look for it.

On the way to the checkout area, you come across the clothing section, and those jeans have definitely caught your attention. Despite this, your ecological conscience reminds you, "You don't need it," you're no longer a consumerist, you don't support fast fashion. Nowadays you buy second-hand clothes from sustainable businesses and only what's necessary. You pay for everything, put your purchases in the reusable bags, and feel satisfied. Back home and done.

Most of us can relate to this brief story. Thanks to your environmental awareness, your perception and thinking are different. As a new habit, before making a decision, you evaluate the possible impact it will have. Additionally, you'll start asking yourself: do I need it? Where does the product come from? Is it produced locally or imported? What material is it packaged in? Can I use it for a long time? After I use it, how do I dispose of it? Can it be reused, composted, or recycled? Step by step, gently, you are slowly moving closer to achieving a more sustainable lifestyle in harmony with the environment.

Thanks for reading,

Laura Rosario Sánchez @laura_laecologista