Earth Day comes as a timely reminder of the urgent need to care for our planet—but it’s also an opportunity to slow down, reflect, and find gratitude. While planting trees and picking up litter are valiant acts, with the pace of modern life it can be difficult to carve out the time for ecological heroism. Instead, I would encourage everyone to take a moment, an hour, the entire day to take stock of our habits, the content we consume, and the ways we acknowledge the Earth in our everyday lives, and in doing so find some time to be present.
In a world saturated by digital noise, what we watch, read, and listen to can shape our relationship with the natural world. Our commutes are drowned out by podcasts, our working interactions are predominantly through screens, and supermarkets have long since extinguished the need for much interrogative thought into the source of our food. I am suggesting we take a step back and be conscious of what we are consuming, and how much. Instead of the latest true crime documentary, try reading, instead of listening to a podcast on the walk home, try picking out the birdsong around you (even just for a bit), and for those of us working at a screen, try giving yourself a break at lunchtime to remember what the world looks like (an al fresco pint should do it).
At the heart of these shifts is mindfulness. Practising being present can relieve stress, and bring more value to our lives. Stepping outside without our phones, listening to the wind, watching clouds move, or simply sitting quietly on a bench can become small rituals of gratitude, whilst providing relief from the anxieties of modern life.
I want to be clear that I am not standing on a soap box preaching the benefit of a bohemian repeal of modern society. Rather I think it can benefit us all to take a day to unplug, and be aware of what we are consuming and how.