Learning how to ‘Live Lightly’ with Nicola Turner

Nicola Turner from Mainstream Green is hosting the event Living Lightly and we got to chat with her to find out what it is all about and how we can start making those small changes that will make a huge impact.

Humans produce a lot of waste. According to National Geographic, the world generates at least 3.5 million tons of plastic and other solid waste a day. In New Zealand, Recyle.co.nz says we discard 15.5 million tonnes of waste each year. 

Now, just looking at those numbers and figures can be overwhelming, and with all that waste where do you think to start? Nicola has already tackled this problem, as her family of four have simplified their life, freed up time and significantly reduced their impact on the planet. 

What is Living Lightly all about and how did the event come about?

Nicola Turner: Living Lightly is an evening of inspiration and tips on how to live a life with less stuff, less waste, and less impact. I share my personal journey from being the ultimate consumer to a life that’s lighter on the planet. 

Has this been something that you have always been passionate about and what was one moment that changed everything for you? 

NT: I spent around 15 years working in the consumer goods industry. My job became all about understanding how we behave as shoppers in the supermarket and how to orchestrate things to influence us to buy more. My job was very much about driving consumption, but then my husband started getting dermatitis on his hands and that started us on a journey of simplifying the products we were using on our skin. Simplifying our products led to reducing our waste, which led to looking at our relationship with stuff, and ultimately every aspect of our consumption. We’ve managed to significantly decrease our impact on the environment, but the best thing is that we’ve simplified our life, freed up time, saved money, and reconnected with the value of things. 

Who would you say this event is for, and what will people get out of attending?

NT: The event is for everyday people keen to simplify their life and live a bit lighter on the planet without compromising their lifestyle. The evening will cover lots of do-able ideas and practical hacks and people will leave inspired and with lots of tools to make simple changes with a big impact.

With more people turning to Tiny Homes to try and get themselves out of the housing shortage, would you say what you advocate for and talk about would be perfect for them?

NT: Absolutely – I talk a lot about how we have downsized and significantly simplified the amount of stuff we have, and all of the benefits that come with that. This will be super relevant to people looking at tiny house living or downsizing, but it’s also totally relevant regardless of the size of your house. 

What about these events gets you most excited?

NT: I love helping people realise how empowering it is to live lighter on the planet. That making simple changes can massively simplify your life, free up time and money and make you feel way more grounded. 

If you could give one piece of advice for people looking at “Living Lightly” what would that be?

NT: Just choose one small thing to change – maybe you’ll take a reusable cup to get your coffee, maybe you’ll buy one thing second hand, maybe you’ll walk to work one day a week – it doesn’t matter how small the change is, it’s about focusing on better instead of perfect. It’s about finding changes that feel good and that work for you and where you’re at. 

Living Lightly – The ReMaker Space
Our Place, Tauranga
Wednesday 26 May
Tickets - humanitix.com