Jeff Bezos is going to space and I’m still here asking for a drink with no straw

Since 2016, I have been living Zero Waste.

I started out by monitoring my rubbish. I cut out landfill waste as much as I could. I discovered the 5 Rs hierarchy, and reduced my recycling too.
I started bringing my reusable bags to the supermarket and my own container for take aways. I shopped second hand, bought local foods, swapped shampoo bottles for bars, made my own toothpaste and deodorant. I reused jars, repaired my clothes and electronics instead of throwing them away. When I had to discard something, I spent hours researching what the best way of disposing of it would be. I even started asking for no straw when ordering drinks at a bar.

I did this for years. And I was so proud of myself.
I loved getting sushi in my own shiny metal tiffin, and refusing things I could do without. I gingerly drank coffee out of my own KeepCup and brushed my teeth with a bamboo toothbrush. I found it rewarding that I no longer remembered which night was rubbish night.

At the same time though, I was putting so much pressure on myself. I thought I was personally responsible for saving the planet, and I would feel incredibly guilty for going the tiniest bit off track. I felt like I had to justify myself every time I bought…