Everybody is talking about "green guilt" and "eco-anxiety" these days. Along those lines, Deep Economy has gotten us thinking ... according to Bill McKibben, Americans aren't very happy.
More money, which many people have long believed leads to happiness, doesn't seem to make things better (for people who already have enough of it). Relationships and health seem to predict happiness more consistently.
So what about making green choices in your home? Does that give you any sort of happiness?
We've been mulling it over.
We're certainly quick to pat ourselves on the back every time we remember our reusable bags at the market. When we turned the heat down and cuddled up in blankets and sweatshirts this winter we felt good about ourselves ... but is this pride happiness? Well, maybe it's getting close.
Then we thought some more: The happiest we've been in the last week or so was Saturday morning at our local farmers market. The sun was shining (which certainly had something to do with it -- please add weather to the list of happiness sources above) and the place was packed with, essentially, our neighbors.
Supporting local, homemade businesses is definitely green. The things you buy aren't usually being shipped from great distances and often they're of higher, healthier quality.
We bought a fruit tart from a local bakery, and two cups of coffee from a local roaster and sat down on the grass to enjoy it. You can't buy happiness, we know that -- but we got close.
But what about you? Doing things that are better for the environment ... does it make you anxious, happy, proud? None of the above?
image via accorddude; sxc.hu
I feel a little of all three, at different times. I do think my quality of life has improved since I started going green - I'm certainly eating better food, at any rate! I'm also spending less on petrol, and more on quality-over-quantity clothes and homewares. I feel like I live a more *satisfying* life this way.
view stringy's profile
Going green has been good for my soul. I am eating better, feeling better and living better. My garden has taken the place of my overstuffed closet metaphorically, and eating good, wholesome food has taken the place of fast food on the go. Everything feels slower, more deliberate and more life giving. Life feels as it should. Now if I could only figure out how to get a goat and a chicken into my apartment...
view elisam's profile
I would say we are definitely happier since going green. Our new garden is an endless source of happiness and excitement as seeds turn to sprouts and eventually into fruit and vegetable bearing plants. Eating organic and local has expounded our food choices and forced us to be more creative and certainly eat healthier.
view http://badhuman.wordpress.com's profile
I am happiest when I am in a beautiful place full of wild nature. Nature that is diverse, native, and healthy. One of the things I love about San Francisco is that I do not have to travel very far to be in places like this.
Over the years, I have seen changes in some of my favorite wild places. Global warming is taking it's toll, non native plants and animals are taking over, and poor grazing and logging practices destroy nature. So, it does make me happier knowing that I've brought my own bag and that I'm not causing a tree to be cut down for a paper one. Or water wasted on a plastic one.
When I am mindful about my use of natural resources I feel closer to what I love--nature, and that is important to me. Destroying what I love makes me dislike myself and those around me, and that is no way to live.
view SFGail's profile
i'm am definitely happier about being green when i open a winter PGE bill of $45 when my neighbor is shocked by her $400 bill for the same month.
But in some ways I feel more panicked because the bad news of global warming, food shortages, geopolitical strife over resources, peak oil, etc. etc. is everywhere now and it seems the human race is not going to cooperate fast enough to prevent some pretty terrible changes. SO on that front, ignorance was bliss. But no going back once you know.
view mimits's profile