Just over a year ago, a friend of mine said something about sardines; and I decided to give up plastics.  I had no idea where this whim would take me.

First, I never even expected anyone other than my mom and best friend to read my blog, and then you guys started showing up in numbers.  This warmed my heart, kept me motivated and in line, and gave me hope that this situation is going to get better- one darned plastic refusal at a time.  On a personal scale, my situation certainly got better.

We (re)create our lives everyday; by feeling, thinking, and acting, or conversely choosing not to do any of the aforementioned.  This last year showed me that when it came to my consumer habits, I had forgotten to feel and think; acting without the guidance of my heart and head.  That plastic pony was leading me to the wrong place…or nowhere in fact.  I was stuck.

Refuse the plastic ride.

By simply reactivating my heart and head, I recreated my world, and it opened up.  Every aspect of my life improved, is the gist of it.  For the details, you can scroll through the blog from day 1, or perhaps wait for the book.  Because I have a lot more to say than would ever fit into this small post.

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And now, for the plastic.

Despite my smile, the bag stinks...for reals.

Take out waste. Food and pet food packaging. Packing materials. Pill packs. Caps. Tags. Other miscellaneous.

I would say that 70% of this vile pile is made up of incidental plastics- that is, plastics acquired by accident or imposition. 30% of it is stuff that I chose not to refuse for various excuses.  However, 100% of it, is unnecessary.  To be honest, I’ve been thinking for many months now on what I would say in this final post of the year, but after all the triumphs and tragedies, rants and raves, that might just be my final word on plastics.  Unnecessary.

Beyond that final word, I kind of feel like pointing out all the hundreds of things that never made it into that pile, as it was a year’s worth of work.  But that itself, and the resultant praise, are perhaps also, unnecessary.  Like I said, I giving up plastic was the gateway to a lot of good.  I hope you have gained some of it too.

For New Years, I will counting the year 2010 into the past somewhere in Latvia, with a very special someone who I am very much looking forward to ending the year with, and continuing the quest.  We are stoked.  Plastic Manners will turn into My Life Without Plastic, and while I focus on writing the book, I will be posting monthly refusal videos to keep you entertained, informed, and on your toes.

See you in 2011!  Thank you, for reading and caring.

Taina