Creating a more sustainable life isn’t an overnight change (despite
what a late-night aspirational scroll through your social media feed
may convince you). But that doesn't mean you can't take small steps
to get you where you want to be.
Take it from me, Alex Taylor—writer, TikTok creator, and aspiring sustainability star (I’m not there yet, but I’m working on it!). To show you how simple it can be to start making more eco-friendly choices in
your everyday life, I challenged myself to make sustainability upgrades in my morning, afternoon, and evening routines—starting by upgrading my footwear with Cole Haan’s new Generation ZERØGRAND ll sneakers made from dandelions.
Not to spoil the ending, but my big takeaway was that making attainable changes that fit your lifestyle is the real ticket to long-term change—one sustainable shoe-clad step at a time.
A (Sustainable)
Day in the Life
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
You won't catch me sacrificing my morning cup of coffee—admittedly, not even for the planet. Instead, I’ve devised a plan to have my cake (err, coffee) and eat it too by bringing a refillable cup to my local shop.
That's become my new, every-morning routine: Grab my favorite mason jar and glass straw, throw on my sneakers, and head down the block to fill ‘er up with my go-to brew (black iced coffee, please! Yes, even when it’s cold outside).
Morning
Since I work from home, an afternoon walk for my mental health is a very important part of my day. How do you make a walk in the park more sustainable, you might ask? By retiring my grungy old sneakers (it was time), and swapping them for the Cole Haan Generation ZERØGRAND ll—
the brand's first sustainable shoe made with dandelions.
I've saved myself on time and clutter now that I don't have to take out the recycling as often, since I no longer have plastic cups and straws filling my bin. All it took was setting a reminder on my phone before heading out the door, and before I knew it, I had developed the habit.
Afternoon
The outsole of my new favorite walking shoes is fabricated with Cole Haan's FlowerFoam™, which
is made from a minimum of 25 percent natural dandelion rubber, and the upper part of the shoe also incorporates recycled materials like vegan microsuede fiber and recycled bottles.
Not only are they some of the most comfortable shoes in my collection (the springy soles help absorb impact as you walk), they’re also seriously stylish. The muted coloring makes them easy to style with loads of outfits, which is important to me since operating off a capsule wardrobe of mostly thrifted pieces is another way I personally like to support the planet.
I used to be intimidated by the whole bike-rental process, between finding a bike that works for my height (being five feet isn't easy!) and getting used to navigating traffic. But after my first few rides, I got the hang of it—and even started to look forward to it! Plus, I get everywhere *so* much quicker (New York traffic is no joke), while getting extra exercise and saving money—and the Earth—along the way.
See? Creating a more sustainable lifestyle can start with just a few simple steps.
I live in Brooklyn, so I don’t have a car, but taking Ubers over the past year has become a convenience I rely on more than I’m proud of.
In an effort to be greener, I’ve started renting a bike to get me from point A to point B any time I have a content shoot or hang-out with friends.
Evening
SHOP NOW
$130.00
Cole Haan Generation ZERØGRAND ll
COLE HAAN
SHOP NOW
$130.00
Cole Haan Generation ZERØGRAND ll
COLE HAAN
SHOP NOW
$15.00
Citi Bike Day Pass
LYFT
SHOP NOW
$40.00
Remi Bike Helmet
RETROSPEC
SHOP NOW
$20.00
Glass Straw Case Set
GROVE CO.
SHOP NOW
$18.00
16 oz. Glass Drinking Mason Jars
BALL
The two most common cold-weather complaints
Dr. Nazarian hears? Chapped lips and windburn, both of which can be combated with a few key ingredients.
To avoid windburn, stock up on moisturizers with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which help hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier. For chapped lips, apply an emollient (like medicated lip balm) at least twice a day to lock in hydration, Dr. Nazarian says, and avoid licking your lips at all costs. Pro tip: Whenever you get the urge to lick your lips, take a sip of water instead. The extra hydration will help you avoid chapping.
You won't catch me sacrificing my morning cup of coffee—admittedly, not even for the planet. Instead, I’ve devised a plan to have my cake (err, coffee) and eat it too by bringing a refillable cup to my local shop.
That's become my new, every-morning routine: Grab my favorite mason jar and glass straw, throw on my sneakers, and head down the block to fill ‘er up with my go-to brew (black iced coffee, please! Yes, even when it’s cold outside).
I've saved myself on time and clutter now that I don't have to take out the recycling as often, since I no longer have plastic cups and straws filling my bin. All it took was setting a reminder on my phone before heading out the door, and before I knew it, I had developed the habit.
SHOP NOW
$20.00
Glass Straw Case Set
GROVE CO.
You won't catch me sacrificing my morning cup of coffee—admittedly, not even for the planet. Instead, I’ve devised a plan to have my cake (err, coffee) and eat it too by bringing a refillable cup to my local shop.
That's become my new, every-morning routine: Grab my favorite mason jar and glass straw, throw on my sneakers, and head down the block to fill ‘er up with my go-to brew (black iced coffee, please! Yes, even when it’s cold outside).
Morning
SHOP NOW
$130.00
Generation ZERØGRAND ll
COLE HAAN
I've saved myself on time and clutter now that
I don't have to take out the recycling as often, since I no longer have plastic cups and straws filling my bin. All it took was setting a reminder on my phone before heading out the door, and before I knew it, I had developed the habit.
SHOP NOW
$20.00
Glass Straw Case Set
GROVE CO.
SHOP NOW
$18.00
16 oz. Glass Drinking Mason Jars
BALL
You won't catch me sacrificing my morning cup of coffee—admittedly, not even for the planet. Instead, I’ve devised a plan to have my cake (err, coffee) and eat it too by bringing a refillable cup to my local shop.
That's become my new, every-morning routine: Grab my favorite mason jar and glass straw, throw on my sneakers, and head down the block to fill ‘er up with my go-to brew (black iced coffee, please! Yes, even when it’s cold outside).
Morning