“A couple of weeks back, a writer friend contacted me about my zero-waste journey and asked if I have done anything for the community in this area of my passion.
What is zero waste living?
For me, it just means trying to live a sustainable life with a lesser impact on our environment by creating less trash.
Being a mama of two, it’s my job and duty to teach and guide my children to take better care of Mother Earth.
What better way there is than by doing it myself and setting a good example for them?
I look around and I see the disastrous impact of our actions on the environment in our everyday lives.
It is our obligation to do something about it. How can we not?
‘Aren’t you a little extreme?’ That’s what I get from friends who think that living zero-waste is crazy.
The truth is no, it is not.
It may seem impossible, but start small. One step at a time.
It will get easier as you practice it, and eventually, it will become a habit.
When my friend asked me, though, I was caught off-guard because, truthfully, I have not done anything worthwhile.
I have not started a movement or organized any events or volunteered in any campaign.
Nothing.
I am just a stay-at-home mom.
I went through a few nights contemplating my lack of achievements and wondering if I have actually done anything worthwhile or inspiring in the last few years.
I have not made any breakthrough in science, I have not started a small home-based business, I have not made any change in society.
I am just a stay-at-home mom.
All these thoughts turned to questions.
Why am I only worth something if I have done something for the community?
We always celebrate women all over the world if they accomplish something, win an award, make a discovery, volunteer for community works, have a title to their name.
But me? Nada. I’m just a stay-at-home mom.
And you know what? I realized it is okay.
I am okay with that. Because I know what I have chosen.
I chose my family.
I choose my kids.
And before anyone tells me I have to think about myself and not sacrifice everything for our family, I am not.
I have my own hobbies.
I have my own time to do what I enjoy.
But do I want to give up more time to start something I’m passionate about? Not right now.
Now, I choose me, an amazing kick@ss stay-at-home mom.
To all the moms/ladies out there who feel like you are not worth anything because you have not started/accomplished anything, I see you.
Your season might or might never come, and that’s okay.
No matter what you work as or what season or stage you are in life, just do you.
You are amazing, with or without any accolade to your name.”
This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Esther Chew of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You can follow her journey on Instagram. Submit your own story here, and be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories, and YouTube for our best videos.
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