🌍 The Power of Small Things: Why What You Do Matters More Than You Think

Lina Zolock
Apr 22
3 min read

I’ll be honest — Earth Day can feel a little… performative sometimes. Like, cool, we all post a picture of a tree and call it a day. But the truth is, one hashtag isn’t going to fix what’s broken.

And still — I’m not hopeless.

Because I’ve realized something: the big, world-changing stuff doesn’t happen overnight, and it definitely doesn’t happen alone. It happens when regular people, people like you and me, quietly start doing small, better things. And when enough of us do it? That’s when things actually start to shift.

No One’s Asking You to Be a Saint

This isn’t about becoming a zero-waste, off-grid, composting wizard who rides a bike to the farmers market every weekend (unless you want to — in which case, you’re a legend).

It’s about simple things. Stuff you barely have to think about once it becomes a habit. And sure, one person refusing extra packaging or unplugging their appliances at night isn’t going to change the world alone. But thousands, or millions of people doing it? Now you’ve got something powerful.

Little Changes That Don’t Suck

Here’s the kind of stuff I’m talking about:

Choosing products made by companies that give a damn about the planet.
Saying no to junk you don’t need (because less stuff = less waste).
Reusing what you already have instead of buying new because the internet told you it’s “eco-friendly.”
Supporting local businesses instead of giant corporations when you can.
Being mindful about what you toss in the trash and where it ends up.

Nothing flashy. Nothing dramatic. Just regular, doable stuff.

The Ripple Effect is Real

The lie we’ve been sold is that individual actions don’t matter. That it’s too late. That it’s not our problem. But here’s the thing: change has always started at the grassroots level. And when people start making small, better choices — businesses notice. Cities notice. Industries shift.

It’s a ripple effect. And you never know how far yours will reach.

Maybe your neighbor notices you switched to refillable soap and asks where you got it. Maybe your kid starts reminding you to turn off the lights. Maybe someone watches you support that local maker’s market instead of ordering more fast-shipping crap online.

That stuff spreads.

And It Happens Here Too

Even in small spaces like our salon, those little choices matter. We choose eco-friendly packaging and products with non-toxic ingredients. We divide and recycle our waste. We even swapped out our toilet paper for one made from bamboo. It’s tree-free — not wood at all — and only uses one gallon of water per roll. Bamboo regrows in just 1 to 2 years, which makes it a radically more sustainable option. Compare that to traditional toilet paper, which is made from 1.5 pounds of wood per roll, uses about 37 gallons of water, and relies on trees that take 30 years to grow.

And every roll? It may look small, but it lasts foreverrr. So not only are we choosing a better option for the planet — we’re also saving money. Win-win.

This Isn’t a Trend. It’s a Responsibility.

Earth Day is a good reminder, but honestly — this is about showing up every day, however you can. No guilt. No gatekeeping. No waiting for a perfect solution.

Just small, meaningful moves in the right direction. Together.

And I think that’s where real change lives.