Everyday Hero: Nash

One of the biggest learning curves of this journey has been realising that sustainability is much more than living plastic-free. In the face of a climate emergency, it’s more about addressing your overall carbon footprint and taking action in the ways that are accessible to you. It really is different for everyone.

In need of a little inspiration on your journey to a more sustainable life? We’ve interviewed 6 women, mums like you and me, who are on their own sustainable journey, to ask them how they manage it, what their top tips are, and how they stay motivated.

Next up, it’s writer and sustainability and minimalism advocate Nash, otherwise known as @defying space…

A bit about you…

I’m Nash and I’m a writer, educator, and consultant working in the sustainability sector. I’ve been running my Instagram account @defyingspace for over a year now, although I’ve been living a Zero Waste lifestyle since 2015. Since then I’ve become a mum, so there was a whole other learning curve in there that’s been really eye-opening. Having a variety of perspectives has certainly helped me in my mission to help others live more sustainably.

What inspired you to live more sustainably?

I'd come to a point in my life where I needed a fresh start. I read Marie Kondo's book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, and suddenly found myself selling most of my possessions at car boot sales, something I'd never pictured myself doing. It made such a difference to me so I was looking for ways to create an even more efficient home, not just aesthetically, but financially, and environmentally. I ended up coming to things like Zero Waste through Minimalism; when you’re considering everything in your home, you eventually consider everything that’s leaving it. Apart from the fact that Minimalism is a really useful tool when you’re trying to make a 35 square metre attic flat efficient and liveable, I really felt the benefit of taking down the visual noise in my space. Aesthetically, a package-free pantry, or in my case a couple of shelves and a spice rack, not only looked really beautiful and calming, it made me consider where my food was coming from, and the impact of packaging on the environment. It was a lot harder to do back in 2015, but in the last year or two, we’ve seen 5 or 6 refilleries pop up within walking distance. 

What have you done and what difference has it made?

Zero Waste is an ideal, so in reality, we’re a low waste, or low impact, household. One of the biggest learning curves of this journey has been realising that sustainability is much more than living plastic-free. In the face of a climate emergency, it’s more about addressing your overall carbon footprint and taking action in the ways that are accessible to you. It really is different for everyone.

As for us, we shop for our local and seasonal groceries loose and buy anything else in glass, card, or metal. We use refill or solid personal care and cleaning products, and use as many reusables as possible, such as safety razors, coffee cups, and such. We do the odd DIY—we make our own simple vinegar surface spray, for instance. We’re incorporating more and more plant-based meals into our diets (something that has been tricky for me personally due to having a gut disorder that means I can’t process the sugars found in so many fruits, vegetables, and pulses). All three of us have a capsule wardrobe too.

We use the 5Rs of Zero Waste to evaluate what we need. By following Refuse-Reduce-Reuse-Recycle-Rot, in that order, we can eliminate as much as possible from going to landfill. We really consider if we need something before purchasing, and always consider pre-loved items too. We’ve found that even though shopping package-free isn’t necessarily cheaper (it’s often a similar price as packaged goods), by no longer buying things we used to think we needed, like a different cleaning product for every application, and avoiding fast-fashion, we end up saving money overall by 'buying less and buying better'.

It’s satisfying to live your values, and I accept how privileged I am to be able to do so. Sharing this journey and building a community around my platform has meant I can make a real difference to people with the research I've done over the last five years.

We use the 5Rs of Zero Waste to evaluate what we need. By following Refuse-Reduce-Reuse-Recycle-Rot, in that order, we can eliminate as much as possible from going to landfill. We really consider if we need something before purchasing, and always consider pre-loved items too.

What advice would you give to parents who struggle to fit eco changes into their hectic lives?

I really felt equal parts motivated and overwhelmed when I had my son. A huge part of this journey is to fight for a better future for our children, but becoming a parent also gifts you with a whole other level of exhaustion. We responsibly decluttered in order to simplify our lives. It meant less laundry, surfaces could be easily cleaned, and there was less upkeep for our home overall. We spoke to family to politely request no gifts considering our space constraints, except perhaps books or gift cards. Zero waste living does take a lot of planning and time though. We tried a slow-living approach, and accepted that with nap times to consider, and the fact that things take four times as long with a baby in tow, we’d be indoors more. My partner started bullet journalling and meal planning, and we did our dry goods shopping once every two months and we'd make a day of it, enjoying the 40-minute walk there, while our son napped in his pushchair, which we’d then load up with our groceries and stop for lunch somewhere nice. I think it’s about adjusting expectations and enjoying the process and change of pace rather than trying to cram too much in. It inevitably involves cooking more from scratch too, so things like batch-cooking and freezing meals is a great habit to get into. Involve kids as much as possible too, and make it fun for everyone, which can be a little challenging, but we’re working on it!

Your number 1 eco swap…

My favourite eco-swap has been using solid unpackaged cosmetics and toiletries. I love the simplicity of it, as well as the focus on ethically-sourced gentle ingredients, which seems to be a common feature of many of the products I've come across. Even using soap bars instead of shower gel has made such a difference. You can get some really beautiful formulations these days! There are some great new brands out there, and existing ranges are expanding. It’s wonderful to see so much more available--and at a range of price points--on the high street too. Accessibility is such a key issue here, and it’s something I talk about a lot on my platforms. 

Your dance around the bedroom song…

Not many people know I was a professional musician for many years, so this question really excites me! My favourite songwriter is 70s musician Judee Sill and I’ve chosen the song Lopin’ Along Through The Cosmos. Sill had an amazing and also tragic life, but her songs are full of hope too. She really got the fact that the journey is as important as the destination. The lyrics are beautiful and haunting, and a reminder to make the most of the present moment, which is key when you’re feeling overwhelmed and need to remember your 'why'.