Lydia’s passion for change is not only inspiring, but admirable, too. Studying for her masters in Sustainable Business Leadership, Lydia shares content documenting her sustainability journey on her Instagram, as well as sharing helpful advice to others, such as how to be sustainable at uni and tips for sustainable living.
Aside from being a beacon of light in the sustainability community and keeping on top of her studies, Lydia loves nature, reading, yoga, drawing, coffee, and theatre. And we’re seriously impressed with how she juggles it all. Read her Q&A below to learn more about Lydia and her journey.
What motivated you to start your Instagram documenting your sustainability journey?
I’ve always been interested in sustainability and wanted to buy local and use as little plastic as possible but in lockdown a few years ago, I started to research more into the items that I was using everyday and I made changes to make sure I had less of an impact day-to-day. Once I had made a few alterations, I wanted to document my progress, mostly for my sake in holding myself accountable but then it developed into making larger changes and trying to help others do the same. After a while I found that this was my true passion that I wanted to pursue further so I decided to do my masters course in sustainable business after doing my undergraduate in theatre (big career change!)
What’s one thing that’s giving you hope for the future?
The community of like-minded people that I am surrounding myself with and seeing how sustainability is being talked about more and more in other circles.
What’s some advice you have for people wanting to shop more consciously?
The most sustainable things are the ones you already own, but if you are looking to buy something new I always recommend shopping secondhand first as you can really find some gems! If I’m shopping from a sustainable brand, I always make sure to do my background research first – looking on their sustainability page on the website, finding out what materials they use, what their working conditions are like, what others think etc…this can sound like a long process but once you know what brands work, and know what you’re looking for, it becomes much faster.
I always find that if I want to buy something, I look at it and remember it, then see if I want it just as much two weeks later, and THEN buy it – that way I know it’s not an impulse decision.
What’s a brand you really admire?
There are some truly amazing brands out there! gngrbees is one that I absolutely love as their sustainable activewear is such amazing quality, without compromising on ethics or sustainability. It’s also female-owned so it feels really empowering to support it.
Who’s one person that inspires you?
This community has so many amazing people that I’ve been lucky enough to create friendships with and so a lot of people in this community inspire me everyday with their content ideas, their sustainability efforts and how hard they work for their passions.
@snap_dragonfly is so inspiring as she balances so much and works so hard!
@fashionable_karlafornow is so talented and is amazing at what she does!
@sustainablesapphic is so open and transparent in everything she does and so supportive!
@emmaburtonblog has so much drive to create meaningful content!
Sorry that’s so many but I couldn’t choose one!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever heard?
“You aren’t trapped in a room full of people, they are trapped in a room with you” – this isn’t inherently sustainability based but my old history teacher said it to me when I wasn’t feeling confident in what I was doing. It shows you need to be confident and passionate in everything you’re doing and if anyone doesn’t like it, they can leave because they’re stuck with you, not the other way around. Don’t let other people dictate what you do and how you do it because if they don’t like it, they have the option to not involve themselves.
This was really important for me when I started my sustainability instagram account because I was a little embarrassed at first but then I thought about how passionate I am and how important it is and decided that if people didn’t like it or me, they don’t have to be around.
What’s inspired you recently?
I watched some of Grace Beverley’s YouTube videos (I used to watch her when I was in school when she was at university, but now she is the founder of two businesses) and watched her discussing her business model & pitch deck for Tala activewear and some of her daily activities within the brand and it really inspired me as she works so hard and is not that much older than me, and working for a sustainable brand with a great team is something I really want for the future.
I also worked a piano concert the other day and seeing people being people, being so talented and passionate about what they do, and the audience enjoying the music was really emotional and inspiring.
What’s one change you wish to see in the world?
I wish for there to be more ethics in a lot of companies and business models, especially fashion and period care. Seeing workers (mostly women and sometimes children) in the current conditions they’re forced to be in, and without proper care is something I really wish to change.
Also having sustainability as less of a second option for both companies and consumers. Educating people on how easy some changes can be to make less negative impact.
What’s one quote that you live by?
“Be the person you would fall in love with” again, not inherently sustainability related but it’s similar to “be the change you want to see” in that you should feel so good in what you do and so confident in yourself that if someone else were doing the same things in the same way, you would admire and fall in love with them.
What’s a wardrobe essential you can’t live without?
I wear a scarf almost every day! My current go-to’s are both from small businesses that set up stalls at Christmas markets but I also get lots of hand-me-downs from my mum!
You can find out more about Lydia and her inspiring journey over on her Instagram, here!