Mon 9 Nov 2009
Stop Feeling Guilty and Go Do Something Awesome
Posted by Tyler under Having Fun, Making Choices, Personal Development
[8] Comments
Seriously.
We do all sorts of things every day because we think we have to. We go to work every day to provide for our families and our futures. We offer our resources to causes we rather wouldn’t because we feel obligated. We do this kind of stuff all the time and it’s draining.
When was the last time you really wanted something, but didn’t buy it because you thought it was the responsible thing to do? “Oh my god, I want it so bad, but I can’t afford it.”
Are you pushing yourself beyond comfort to squeeze the last little bit of elusive sustainability into your life? Why? Because you feel guilty? Are you afraid the Earth police are going to come kick down your door and check your thermostat? If it’s set above 60 degrees, you’re going to be awfully embarrassed.
If you’re trying to green your life because you feel guilty, you’re doing it wrong. Seems harsh, but I think the sooner people start realizing this, the sooner we can actually start making some meaningful changes in our lives.
There are at least one million different ways to make this world a better place. There are least one million ways to live a financially sustainable life. I quit counting at about three-hundred-thousand, so you’ll just have to take my word for it.
With all of the options out there, anybody should be able to find something they can do without resorting to guilt as motivation.
What do you care about? What turns you on? When you wake up in the morning, what do you wish you were heading off to do? Why not focus on those things? There’s no limit, really.
Do you love watching the smurfs and care about the environment? Make a parody cartoon where the smurfs band together to stop a neighboring tribe form chopping down the forest between them. Start a website and post your episodes on Youtube.
Love going out for sushi but hate all the disposable chopsticks? Why not design a beautiful, functional, and indestructible chopstick and start selling them to your favorite restaurants?
If you really want to make a difference, you have to do something you care about. I really don’t think there are any shortcuts. When it comes to environmentalism, the difference you make is in the influence you exert on others. Wiping your ass with one sheet of single-ply instead of four sheets of two-ply toilet paper is never going to fix our environment unless it really excites the hell out of you.
Environmental experts and economists like to argue about what the biggest impact changes we can make are and, if biggest impact changes are what excite the hell out of you, then pay close attention and do what they tell you to. If that doesn’t describe you, then quit paying attention to the experts and go do your own thing.
Life is too damn short to do a bunch of crap you don’t care about, especially when it’s not going to make a difference.
Here’s the bottom line:
If it doesn’t excite you, you’re going to half-ass it. If you half-ass it, no one is going to pay attention. If no one pays attention, you’re wasting your time.
So forget everything you’ve been told about what you’re supposed to do and how you’re supposed to do it. Start making your own rules and empowering others to make theirs.
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8 Responses to “ Stop Feeling Guilty and Go Do Something Awesome ”
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[...] Tervooren presents Stop Feeling Guilty and Go Do Something Awesome posted at Frugally Green, saying, “Guilt gets in everyone’s way. We use it as [...]
Too sassy?
I was trying to think of a good word — and that is it. Sassy! But the message itself was good.
I like your post and your message. Fierce vitality: hooray! The only part I see differently is the notion that guilt must always be nixed. I suggest that notion is one of our misguided Americanisms. Sometimes guilt is a healthy response, a healthy motivator. Our psyche has been shaped by being on a continent with abundant resources. It leads us to expect too much, and ignore our consciences, and forget that other people and species matter, not just ourselves.
“Life is too damn short to do a bunch of crap you don’t care about, especially when it’s not going to make a difference.”
YESSSSS!
love this post! but i do agree that sometimes a little guilt can go a long way. of course, too much guilt can be unhealthy and debilitating.
“So forget everything you’ve been told about what you’re supposed to do and how you’re supposed to do it. Start making your own rules and empowering others to make theirs.”
I struggle with this. I get an idea in my head, then look around to see what everyone else is doing when I should be just going with what feels right to me.
So maybe the answer is, “Stop feeling so guilty you can’t get anything meaningful done, but hold onto just enough so that you don’t become completely apathetic.”
That’s a mouthful.
QUOTE OF THE DAY… Wiping your ass with one sheet of single-ply instead of four sheets of two-ply toilet paper is never going to fix our environment unless it really excites the hell out of you.
Bravo! May I link you from my blog?
Kim,
Thanks. Anyone may feel free to quote, link, or do whatever they like with my content.