When American historian Henry B. Adams said, “chaos was the law of nature; Order was the dream of man,” he couldn’t have imagined how befitting his words would be several decades after his passing.

Chaos is what often breeds life. In those moments of absolute mess and uncertainty, simple things emerge as the solution to the most complex problems. Today when the world has recently gone through (and is still struggling with) one of the most deadly viruses in human history alongside so many natural disasters like wildfires and hurricanes, the condition of life on Earth can only be described as chaotic. But despite the fear, the challenges, and the mortality, there are positive things emerging from the mess, things which are sure to bring order to human life, much like what the brilliant minds of the yesteryears imagined.

Photo Boards/Unsplash | The recent pandemic alongside global climate crises have made people more aware of their lifestyles

One of the best things to have come out of the pandemic and the simultaneous global climate crisis is a tremendous rise in the need for self-reliance. More and more people are becoming eco-minded, with the preference for a sustainable living becoming almost a global movement. Backyard gardens, shifting from grocery stores to farmers' markets, and off-the-grid living are gaining popularity, with many realizing that to survive and thrive, cutting off from the artificial and opting for the natural is the only way ahead.

If you, too, have been having thoughts about building a lifestyle that's rejuvenating for you as well as the planet, here are a few tips that can help you along your journey.

Clean air the natural way

Despite knowing that plants are natural air filters, we often prefer commercial air purifiers under the impression that they’re more effective. Well, it’s true, but only to a certain extent. If you know select exactly which plants to put inside your home, you not only make the air inside almost as clean as an air purifier, but also enhance your indoor décor! Some plants best suited for air purifying inside your home are aloe, English ivy, and spider. According to a study, plant-soil can significantly eliminate VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) from the air inside homes.

Véronique Trudel/Unsplash | A sustainable lifestyle is what most people seek these days, with a thought of co-existing with nature

Harvest and reuse water

Our ancestors sure knew the secrets to a prosperous life! They relied on tapping into wells and springs for their water needs and depended on fresh garden produce for food. It's time we get back to our roots by returning to these old ways. DIY distillation systems that filter water and rainwater harvesting can contribute immensely towards the global water shortage. Reusing water for gardens, washing, and composting for growing vegetables and fruits can be great ideas.

Go solar

You may be living in modest living conditions using only as many resources as you need, but to live truly sustainably, your home needs to meet your energy needs as well. Setting up solar panels on the roof of your property and using the energy generated to fulfill electricity needs, for instance, is a great way to reduce reliance on electric wires and poles, thereby helping cut down the exposure of humans to radiation in power lines.

Giorgio Trovato/Unsplash | Many people, are taking small steps like conserving water and energy to help the planet in their own way

These are just a few basic solutions that each one of us can initiate in our homes. There could be endless ways to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to the environment. What matters is thinking in the right direction and taking the first step.