Kermit was right. It’s not easy being green. 

GREEN AS IN ECO

I decided to design and create a sustainable collection for my senior show as a fashion design major in college. I used organic fabrics and foods like spinach, beets, and walnuts to dye my fabric. I spent many nights boiling fabric over my stove and letting it soak in the tub overnight. 

All of that was well beyond what was expected of me – to design, draft patterns, and sew the garments. It was also more expensive. 

And all of that to come to the discouraging conclusion I may have not done any good for the environment after all. I increased my electric usage from having the stove on for long periods and filling the bathtub every night nearly doubled my water waste for weeks. And on top of that, I had to use the dryer for all of the fabric. 

It’s the same feeling as when you find out you’ve spent time sorting your recycling only to realize items get put in the same truck – or if not then, they later end up together down the road. 

Ouch. 

Being green – It’s actually pretty challenging. 

GREEN AS IN LACK OF EXPERIENCE

Do you remember what it was like being the new person on your first day on the job? Or the first time you tried to make a new recipe, install a ceiling fan, do your taxes, manage a team, raise a child, or plan a funeral? The first time can be messy, but we sure do learn a lot. 

With so many resigning and changing their careers, many people today are on their first day/month/year of their new job. There’s a 100% chance they’re going to slip up. I try to remember this when someone who is helping me makes a mistake. 

GREEN AS IN GO

Now is not the time to be scared of trying something new. It’s ok to undo things as you have always done them. Now is the time to unplug for 20 seconds, plug back in, and reboot your system. What have you always wanted to learn or try? Is it solving our recycling dilemma, learning to garden, building a transformer, getting into the business of marijuana, how to compost, or golf? If so, then you’re going to love this issue. 

Welcome to the Green issue, 
Missy Creed McFerron, Publisher(she/her/hers)