Over the Christmas holidays we had our usual share of work parties, visits to neighbours, catching up with family etc etc. As always these were accompanied by the inevitable question:
Q: And what do you do these days?
Me: Errrr…
Which is usually followed by,”Who? what? Never heard of you / it / them”, depending on which answer I choose to give. After a dodgy incident with a full on “denier” in a Manchester pub in 2008 I usually say “Oh, I bake cakes, I write, a bit of environmental stuff …”.
Q: Oh, so you’re a housewife?
Me: Well, not exactly
We then usually end up with the inevitable conversation about “being green”, the “trouble with eco-mentallists” and end up with “Well, it’s all right for you to write about being green, but I notice you’re wearing Mulberry / Tiffany / Armani / driving a Jag (delete as appropriate, depending on the occasion), so you’re not really very green are you?
BINGO!
It’s true, I’m not a “Green”, in fact, 30 years after having my first piece printed in the local paper (a letter about the hole in the ozone layer) I’m still trying to work exactly what I am. House Beautiful called me an “Eco Pioneer”, the Sussex Advertiser said I was a “Climate Activist”, but I don’t recognise myself in those descriptions, do you?
So, reader, I’m looking for a word that sums up the many people like me:
- We care about the world around us
- Passionate about people, our friends, family and loved ones
- Recycle and reduce waste because it’s just a normal part of our lives
- Use gas and electricity wisely becaue we don’t like paying more than we have to
- Like to wear nice things, made to last and make us feel good
- Choose to spend time outdoors because it lifts our spirits
- Think that people can make a difference and that communities matter
- Get satisfaction from making or growing things ourselves
If you recognise yourself in that list, how do you categorise yourself? I’m open to suggestions.
Meanwhile, I’m off to bake bread x
PS Yes, that is me looking like a startled rabbit with Dick Strawbridge, taken in October at an event we both spoke at in Manchester.
5 Comments
January 10, 2010 at 5:28 pm
I am exactly the same! I haven’t discovered a good title though… I usually tell people that it is my aim to show that it is possible to live an environmentally aware life style without living in a cave/yurt/etc!
I guess if put on the spot I might describe myself as an environmental realist. Although I am still not sure if that sums people like us up accurately enough!
BBC Wales have recently shown a series of programmes about “being green” which of course included a “non green” family living in a yurt and experiencing an extreme green life for 2 weeks. Obviously this was met with much resistance and may not have inspired too many people. I would have thought people would much rather see how the Todhunters/Cowells live a “green” lifestyle without compromising on comfort!
Sorry – probably a slightly longer post then you or I were expecting!!!
Alice xx
January 10, 2010 at 6:41 pm
I often refer to myself as a half-a*sed hippy (it usually gets a smile) but I like Alices Environmental realist better…
January 10, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Maybe no surprise but I can tick everyone of those in the list!
I guess I just call myself ‘an everyday person’, I don’t like labels and names, I just get on with all of those.
To me anyone else who DOESN’T do these should be given a name
Paul
x
January 12, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Hello
I found your blog via Twitter
I think everyone tries to put each other in a pigeon hole.
I’m a performing arts graduate who is working as a Customer Service Representative because of the limit choices I have following my degree. I look for a new job but i get asked why i’m not doing something degree related.
January 14, 2010 at 11:01 am
Thanks, we are al individuals – be happy with who you are.