When you find your way to a more natural, ethical lifestyle, it can be like joining a new gang. You have found your people. You change the way that you do things, shop differently and make alterations to your life that make a huge impact. You find yourself fretting about the rise in global temperature rather than the latest reality TV show results.
It’s a mind-blowing experience, but one that you know is worthwhile. Unless you grew up living like this, then there is a good chance your friends and family don’t think like you now do.
According to the Mass Save program, when you become more ecologically aware, it’s difficult not to try and introduce them to it. After all, you are conscious of the reasons that made you take the decision to alter your lifestyle.
Yet too often, we find people who try to venture this conversation are dismissed. There is even a saying in pop culture, the sneer toward those of us, using the term “eco-warrior” in a pejorative sense. As a collective group, we are dismissed as being “preachy” or “holier than thou”.
You end up stuck in a situation where you want to spread the word but you’re afraid of how to do it. If you’re determined to find a way through and encourage others onto a more sustainable path, how can you do it?
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Show, Don’t Tell
One of the most fundamental aspects of storytelling is the concept of showing and not telling. The same principle can apply to those in your life you want to convince of the benefits of an eco-friendly lifestyle.
Put the best aspects of your life on show. Extol the benefits of the products you have used, without tacking on a rant about why they are better choices. Focus on the results and how your life has been impacted rather than the reasons you made those changes.
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Be Subtle
Try and be alert for any natural opportunities to get the topic into the conversation. If, for example, they are wondering aloud what to do with their garden, then try and turn the conversation to your advantage. Don’t discourage their idea for an ornamental patio, but drop in that you know of a great wooden greenhouse manufacturer.
Approach it from a style perspective, emphasizing words like “rustic”, and let the rest follow from there. If you’re alert enough, you will find changes for this everywhere. It can be anything washing up liquid (“my new one doesn’t hurt my hands at all, they’re so much softer!”) to the usual discussion of the weather. Unsure how the latter works? Well, it’s a perfect time to talk about cavity wall insulation!
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Know When To Stop
If you find yourself having to be more and more overt, then it isn’t working. You could find yourself losing friends and offending people, so withdraw the topic for a few months and let things settle. Don’t labour the point and people will be more receptive to what you have to say.
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