How to write a swimming pool

Ready for Step 3? Today, we Do.

Somebody said to me, ‘But the Beatles were anti-materialistic.’ That’s a huge myth. John (Lennon) and I literally used to sit down and say, ‘Now, let’s write a swimming pool’. ~ Paul McCartney

It’s a quirky anecdote and it offers us timeless wisdom about the power of intention.

When it’s so easy to get lost in endless doom scrolling or unthinkingly watch another three episodes on Netflix, today’s invitation is to intentionally set aside 15 minutes to do something good for the planet.

Today is Step 3 of the Sustainable Activism Framework, a.k.a Hands Day.

Today, we Do.

Photo by Jubeo Hernandez on Unsplash.

Step 3 - Do

Today we create climate-positive change by doing something in our life differently. The way we work. Shop. Love. Commute. Entertain. Invest. Exercise. Parent. Cook.

If John and Paul can write themselves a life that teems with swimming pools, we can lift a finger, or four, for Mother Earth.

But where do I start?

Honestly, at this stage, it matters less than you think. We’re building a habit. Strengthening our action-taking muscles. Sneaking our way into making climate activism a daily activity.

Far too many folk in the Climate Concerned category get their knickers in a knot about finding the perfect action and then end up doing nothing at all.

Don’t be that person!

Here’s what you need to do for Step 3 – Do:

1. Set a timer for 15 minutes. Don’t want you burning out before you’ve even lit the fire of change!

2. Make a small, climate-positive change in your daily life.

   Ideas include:

   Switch off your appliances at the wall. Walk or cycle to the shops instead of taking the car. Take a shorter shower (and tell your teenage daughter to do the same!). Put on a jumper or scarf instead of turning on the heating. Make a minestrone soup using the floppy carrots and dubious-looking veggies you’re tempted to throw out. Say no to bottled water. Add a set of metal cutlery to your handbag so you can avoid single-use items. Move your superannuation to an ethical fund - it sounds hard and boring but is surprisingly quick and easy, and only mildly boring… Take your own containers to be filled at the takeaway shop, deli or bulk food shop. Ditch plastic wrap for bees wax wraps. Start a compost bin. Wash clothes in cold water. Boycott microbeads - they are totally useless and an ecological nightmare. Set your heating a few degrees cooler and your cooling a few degrees warmer. Affix a ‘No Junk Mail’ sign to your letterbox. Refuse to purchase overly-packaged goods. Buy ‘ugly’ fruit and veg – beauty is on the inside, remember! And whilst we’re on food, create low-waste meal plans. Stop buying shit you don’t absolutely need and absolutely love - retail therapy is the devil.

3. Comment below and let me know what you did today.

4. Put your feet up and rest easy knowing you’ve made a positive contribution to the biggest problem facing our planet. ❤️

But I’m just one person, I hear you shout, this isn’t enough.

I agree, and we’ll deal with that in the next instalment. For today, embody your inner Nike and just do it. Just do the smallest, easiest, fastest climate-positive thing you can think of.

Don’t overthink this. Do one thing and do it now.

And don’t forget to comment below and tell me what you did.

Sarah x