My partner Paul giggled, laughed out loud and continued reading.
Of course it was a David Sedaris book (maybe “Calypso“).
I shrugged and continued my own kindle book.
But last year on our car journeys in Germany Paul treated me to some podcast episodes of “Meet David Sedaris”. In unison we giggled and laughed about David’s observations and (family) stories.
Since then I worked my way through the podcast and was so surprised when I discovered, that both David Sedaris and I have one big thing in common:
Litter picking as a foreigner in the UK.
Click on the video and hear him talk about it at “Late Night with Seth Meyers”.
Who would have thought!
When I started litter picking back in January 2018 I did it to reduce my annoyance of the cans, bottles, wrapping papers lying around in the woods. Doing something is definitely better than complaining.
It is better to light a small candle than to curse the darkness.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Complaining about a situation is easy. Pushing the responsibility away from you towards others, (the government, the council, the society) is a habit which leaves us with a feeling of helplessness and anger.
It feels definitely better for me to have changed from passive to active. From complaining to searching for solutions. Leaving a cleaner forest behind. Helping wildlife to a safer environment.
Tips to make litter picking easier
To make the disposal easier I use at least two bags:
- for recyclables as glass bottles, plastic bottles & cans
- for the rest.
Like David Sedaris I am using a “grabber” to pick and to reach.
This is the kind of model I am using: The Helping Hand Company Classic Pro Reacher Grabber 32” / 81cm.* I picked it up at the Second Hand Furniture Shop next door and it works for me. However there are other models available as well:
- Kekoy 44” Grabber Reacher Tool with Light, Extra Long Litter Pickers for Adults
- EZPIK® 40″~100 cm Extra Long Litter Picker-Grabber – Heavy-Duty Rubbish Picker Grabber Stick
Over the years I have picked so many bags, taken endless pictures of my results and sent thousands of cans and bottles to recycling. It’s nice to get thanked by strangers and to inspire others to pick on their own walks as well.
Helping others is what I do with my Feldenkrais work as well. Maybe you need some support to find new ways of dealing with changes and restrictions in your body and in movements.
If you feel curious about how my (online) Feldenkrais work could help you please get in touch and take a look at my current online program.
My current Feldenkrais program
Help yourself to stay mobile and to move better.
* Some of the links are affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase through the link, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.