A new year, so that means we can get back to work on our good intentions. Have you already made a list? And do those include sustainable resolutions? Not? Then read on quickly, because we would like to give you some good ideas. Start the year greener and more fun with these sustainable resolutions for 2025.
Sustainable living in 2025
There is a lot going on in the world: two terrible wars, a Europe sliding to the right, and uncertainty about livelihood security. As a result, sustainability is not always high on the news radar. It was already doubtful that the Netherlands would meet the 2030 climate targets, and with this government it is getting even bleaker. Although the economy is doing well, uncertainty keeps us cautious about sustainable choices. Although the economy is doing well and purchasing power is rising, we continue to worry about our financial situation because of the unpredictable future. This puts a brake on making more sustainable choices. Cheap webshops, such as SHEIN, TEMU, AliExpress are gaining ground. Yet there is also good news, fortunately. Especially in these challenging times, creative ways to live sustainably with less money are emerging. With that in mind, we share some good intentions that are good for the planet as well as your wallet.
Find out more about the sustainable lifestyle trends of 2025 here.
As far as we are concerned, these are the best sustainable good intentions for 2025
- Discover all the forgotten vegetables by eating with the seasons from now on. Fruit and vegetables from Dutch fields is a great sustainable choice, it is often a cheaper choice and you will discover something new on your plate. We have listed the seasonal fruits and vegetables by month for you.
- Take up a challenge and don't buy new stuff (or new clothes) for a year. Second-hand is allowed, of course.
- Go swap clothes with neighbours and sign up for The Clothing Loop.
- Change your outlook on fashion and join the 100 Day Dress Challenge by Wooland. Yes, you read that right, 100 days in one dress (which you do wash regularly, of course). But that doesn't mean you have to look the same every day. So that's what you're going to discover...
- Agree with yourself to buy one item of clothing this year (or one item of clothing per quarter if you think one per year is still a bridge too far).
- Buy, rent or borrow a litter pick and go for a round of litter picking in the neighbourhood every day. The deposit is on the street!
- Go (or learn) to clean up properly (check out our tidying tips here) and dispose of your stuff properly. This good intention can even make money if you manage to sell stuff well. We have sales tips for that too, both for Vinted, the flea market as for Marketplace.
- Learn more about nutrition and start a vegetable or herb garden, if necessary on the balcony or in your windowsill if you don't have space. Ideas for the cutest herb garden We have already listed them for you earlier, so you can start right away!
- Go tile hopping in your garden or neighbourhood and plant organic plants, seeds and bulbs to green things up. Why you really organic plants and bulbs should buy, we have already figured out for you, check the links!
- Get started on a vegetarian(er) diet. Eating less meat and dairy is not only better for the planet, but also for your health, according to research by the Health Council.
- Get to work on forgotten crafts. Learn to ferment, repair clothes and making your own sourdough bread.
- Get rid of your photo and video cloud, your WhatsApp history and your overflowing mailbox. All that content is stored in the cloud. And for that cloud, data centres are hard at work using a lot of energy and water. Sweep through your digital home. We get you started with digital tidying tips as you have come to expect from us.
- Use the money you save to go into nature more often! Even more fun: go on organised outings with a guide and learn all about our climate, nature and biodiversity. A great tip is a wildflower walk or go out with the volunteers of the Wadden Association when you are on the islands. Check out our Terschelling tips!
- Make a happiness jar or gratitude jar. All you need is a big jar, a notebook, a pen and hopefully a year full of happy moments and achieved goals. Read more about a happiness pot here.
Need inspiration for good intentions for 2025? Get started with your own organic herb garden! That way you won't have to buy packaged herbs every time. And say it yourself, fresh herbs are much tastier, aren't they? Another good habit for the new year is to eat more with the seasons. This is not only healthier and more sustainable, you will probably also save money. Vegetables from close by are often cheaper.
Need help with your sustainable good intentions for 2025?
Could you use some help in fitting your sustainable lifestyle? I have written a sustainable lifestyle book titled NIKS NIEUWS. This book is an awesome route to a more sustainable life. This book takes you by the hand. Per lifestyle topic, I tell you what is going on in the world, I tell you how we do it at home and every chapter is bursting with original tips, because with the largest Instagram community in the Netherlands, there is already a solution for every problem. These are also reflected in the book! Would you like to read the book too? You can order it from my webshop here!
Good luck with your good sustainable resolutions! Make it a greener year!
Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl.
