space and pause

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compassionate advocacy for earth and animals

reconnecting people and planet

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Environmental conservation for me has always centered around actions and practices that are more subtle and quiet. I like to call it environmental mindfulness or bio mindfulness- developing relationships and attention with the biosphere. As a student and guide of meditation for two decades, I’ve worked with children and adults to support them in developing these relationships. I’ve watched children and adults open up before my eyes by introducing quiet practices of observation with nature. How can we see nature on a more subtle level? It starts with breaking free of the noise and habits that keep us tied in distractions. Things like constant comparing, jealousy, anger, and apathy (we experience some of this through social media, TV, and movies). While you can’t stop being human and remove these less than desirable attributes, we can reshape our attention and actions to attributes that give us space and pause and eventually redirect our old habits. To support this reshaping in my life, I like to focus on photography, journaling, art, walking, sitting in observation and attention (meditation), and letting go of distractions (deleting all but one social media account for example). If I’m taking an up close photo of a flower, I’m paying attention, observing and falling in love with the moment without distraction. I’m looking and seeing in a new way. This is a form of meditation. My thoughts may wonder like clouds passing through a clear sky, but I just notice the passing and bring attention back to the focus - taking a photo. This is how I reshape my attention and focus in a small way. Instead of grabbing my phone, I grab my notebook, camera, or I sit for a few minutes instead. •
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#naturalista #mindfulness #biomindfulness #analog #nature #lowimpactmovement #createsomething

For me, less is more. Though it isn’t about rigidity - allowing myself only a certain number of belongings, it's about having what I truly love, value, and use. At the same time, it’s also about re-evaluating our needs and wants along the way as life changes and grows. Use these questions to guide you when it comes to having things: Is it valuable? Is it useful? Will it be of benefit? Does it bring beauty and inspiration? Is it compassionate? Be flexible, not rigid. Take pauses so you can see what really inspires you and what you truly want in your life. •
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#lessismore #inspiration #simple #eco #zerowaste #lowwaste #lowimpactmovement #veganlifestyle #organization #simplicity #theartofslowliving

I stress often in my work about the importance of putting value back into all we have collectively devalued (things we use, resources, communities, each other, food, animals, and our own experiences). A zero-waste/environmental mindset is truly about examining, rethinking, reshaping, and slowing down in order to put value back and show compassion for our planet and ultimately for one another. But what do these ideals really look like when applied to our lives? That is something I truly believe is up to you and based on your current conditions. We can start with practices that are the most attainable for our own lives. That will look very different for everyone. Maybe it’s using less plastic, bringing our own bag, cup, or utensil, shopping local, using our consumer voice, starting sharing communities, or becoming more resourceful and thrifty. We can gain inspiration from each other and tweeze out what resonates with us.
The most important facet of this mindset is understanding that making less trash is one way to collective call for society to rebuild and reconnect with our planet again. •
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#BeZero #biomindful #lifestyle #bethechange #naturalista #veganlifestyle #reuse #refuse #simplicity #community #zerowaste #lessismore #travel #eco #green #earth #nature #natural #wasteless #sustainable #greenliving #MakeLessTrash #lowimpactmovement

biomindfulness

exploring ways to reduce our waste and live in better relation with the earth

speaking & classes

LEARN THE SKILLS AND MINDSET TO REDUCE YOUR TRASH AND PLASTIC FOOTPRINT

And live mindfully

andrea's notebook

encounters | Resources | photography

Be Zero Blog

sharing the stories of people making impactful environmental changes around the world