10 Everyday Ways You Can Be An Activist
This week’s blog is inspired by Joanna Macy who passed away this month aged 96. Joanna was a visionary woman, a scholar of Buddhism, and one of the most influential voices in environmental activism of the last century. I first came across her work, The Work That Reconnects and Active Hope, over 10 years ago now and it has deeply informed my work and how I live my life.
She also named and shaped the idea of The Great Turning - the shift from an industrial growth society rooted in extraction and domination, to a life-sustaining society rooted in care, connection and ecological balance.
Her work, Active Hope, reminds us that small acts matter. Our personal choices are woven through the collective story. Being an activist doesn’t mean we have to be doing big things.
So here are ten sustainable, real-life ways you can practice activism in your everyday life:
1. Support Small, Local Independent Businesses and say no to Amazon or Temu
Choose local, handmade, ethical or second-hand. Amazon and Temu might be convenient but their business model is built on exploitation, over-packaging and corporate greed. I love to support makers and artists at local markets.
2. Bring Your Own Coffee Cup or Water Bottle
Refuse single-use plastics. This small shift reduces landfill waste. Everyday habits matter. I always request that my sushi is put in a paper bag or napkin instead of the usual plastic container.
3. Talk to Your Kids, Friends and Family about Injustice and Inclusion
Share insights and stories about climate change, body acceptance, and gender diversity. Use songs, books, and real-life role models as inspiration.
4. Grow Herbs, Compost, and Support Local Growers
Reconnect with the Earth and food through action. Choose local growers. Bring your own bags. Regenerative living is activism that nourishes you and the planet. The Green Grocer’s Pantry in Bellbowrie sell fruit and veggies from local growers.
5. Donate, Mend and Swap Your Clothes
Resist fast fashion and reduce landfill by donating your clothes to a charity (not throwing them in the bin) and instead of buying something new, find a second hand market to find a new look. The Love Me Again market at Milton is a fantastic preloved fashion market which sells clothing, shoes and accessories. Repair instead of replace.
6. Refuse Diet Culture and Celebrate Body Diversity
Speak kindly about bodies - including your own. Challenge beauty standards that uphold shame, restriction, or exclusion. Compliment someone on their energy, creativity or presence - not their weight or appearance.
7. Refuse to Engage in Gossip, Shaming, or Clique Culture
Speak with kindness. Choose integrity over belonging. Don’t engage with gossip about others.
8. Take Public Transport or Carpool When You Can
Reduce your carbon footprint and lessen congestion by ride sharing.
9. Send a Thank You Message to Someone who does Meaningful Work
Carers, artists, teachers, shop assistants, volunteers - your words will matter more than you think.
Tell them how their work matters and has touched you.
10. Keep Learning
Read books and listen to podcasts that challenge your worldview. Keep being conscious of your words, actions and speech.
As Joanna Macy says, “When we know that we are a part of the web of life, and that our actions matter, we come alive. We feel our belonging. We remember that we are not alone”
This is the work of The Great Turning and may we carry the legacy of Joanna Macy’s work forward through every one of our choices and actions because it all matters!!