Okay so let me tell you about my messy journey trying to actually travel eco-friendly last month. Wanted to stop just reading articles and finally do it myself. Honestly? Started feeling totally overwhelmed.
Getting my head around it first
Honestly stared at the plane ticket confirmation for way too long. That was step one: feeling bad about flying. Couldn’t avoid it completely this time, but figured I had to try everything else super hard to balance it out, you know? Spent ages online digging for stuff I could actually manage without going crazy.
The packing panic attack
Right, packing. Decided to ditch the giant suitcase and wrestled everything into a carry-on backpack. Hated it. I mean, seriously hated it. Choosing versatile clothes was tough, felt like I’d wear the same thing forever. Hardest part? The liquids! Hunted through my cabinets for reusable bottles. Found these old shampoo bars I bought years ago and totally forgot about. Winner! Squished in the metal water bottle, reusable coffee cup, even remembered that annoying collapsible tote bag shoved in a drawer. Felt awkward but packed it.
Choosing wheels (or feet)
Destination was this coastal town. Landed, looked at the cab line… sighed. Took the bus instead. Slow, kinda confusing route, but felt less crappy than jumping in a car alone. At the town, basically walked everywhere once I dumped my bag. My feet complained loudly by day two.
Where to crash (ethically)
Found this little guesthouse online that swore it was eco-conscious. Looked legit? Had stuff like solar panels, rainwater harvesting, the whole composting thing. Felt a bit more hopeful. Staff actually talked about reducing waste, asked politely if I needed new towels every day. Didn’t see any single-use plastic crap in the room – just refillable bottles. Nice.
Eating and exploring without wrecking the place
First lunch, spotted a tourist trap buffet. Walked away. Hunted down the local market instead. That tote bag finally got used! Bought fruit, cheese, bread – simple stuff directly from the growers. Felt good. For activities? Did a slow hike with a local group instead of a noisy ATV tour. Saw way more cool bugs and birds that way too. Forgot my reef-safe sunscreen on a boat trip once. Got burnt. Won’t forget that again.
The annoying little habits
Stayed conscious, constantly. Took that reusable cup every single morning for coffee. Filled the water bottle religiously. Said “no” to that plastic-wrapped souvenir in the gift shop (it was hard!). Ordered tap water at restaurants. Felt a bit awkward sometimes, explaining why. The collapsible tote was a lifesaver, seriously.
What finally actually worked?
Look, it wasn’t effortless. I screwed up, got flustered. Didn’t avoid the plane. BUT:
- Backpack only? Actually way easier to manage than I thought once I got moving.
- Bus and walking? Slower, but saw things I’d have missed. Met actual locals.
- Local food? Way cheaper and tastier than tourist menus.
- Reusable stuff? Once I got in the rhythm, it just happened. Mostly.
Biggest win? Knowing I didn’t trash the place for some sunburnt selfies. Felt lighter leaving, mentally and physically. Still learning, but hey, small steps matter more than doing nothing perfect. You don’t gotta be a superhero. Just try one less plastic bottle. Start there.
