Less Impact, Deeper Purpose: Tips for Leaving a Lighter Footprint

Men are increasingly aware of the importance of leaving a lighter environmental footprint and contributing to the protection of Earth’s precious resources. Simple choices during the warmer months, such as opting for eco-friendly grilling, using cooling fans instead of excessive air conditioning and employing natural lawn maintenance techniques, make a significant difference. Everyday decisions like repairing items before replacing them and curbing the desire for “bigger and better” products not only saves money but also can provide a fulfilling sense of purpose.

“A ‘less is more’ mindset isn’t necessarily about aesthetics or minimalism. I think it has more to do with recovering your deeper values and purpose,” asserts Jeffrey Siegel, a men’s health coach in Boston, Massachusetts, and author of Eating 2.0: How to Eat Confidently in an Ultraprocessed World.

Sustainability Mindset

This summer, reducing our environmental impact can begin by transitioning from fossil fuel-dependent barbecues to more sustainable alternatives such as eco-friendly, carbon-neutral pellet grills or electric models. James Farrell, a life coach and environmentalist in Brighton, England, advises, “Try not to waste food, reduce meat consumption and look for food produced using sustainable farming and fishing methods. About 25 to 30 percent of all food produced in the world is wasted—that is a billion meals a day.”

Farrell also recommends opting for local vacations instead of air travel and choosing fuel-efficient vehicles. Staying in eco-lodges or engaging in nature-focused activities can provide memorable getaways without contributing to environmental degradation.

Maintaining a natural, low-impact lawn without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides or planting native species can further enhance environmental sustainability. Native grasses, white clover or wildflower meadows mitigate environmental strain by supporting pollinators and sequestering carbon. To reduce noise pollution and emissions, manual tools or battery-operated trimmers, edgers and blowers are all good options.

Farrell also advocates a “circular economy” mentality—repairing or replacing the batteries of common devices like computers, phones and electric toothbrushes. “Personally, I try to make fewer, higher-quality purchases, knowing that they will last a long time.”

Jerry Reganess, a retired white-collar professional turned photographer in Milford, Pennsylvania, affirms that living a simpler “less is more” lifestyle frees up time for more meaningful pursuits, including cultivating rewarding relationships with family and friends that foster a positive state of mind. He shares this advice: “Lend and borrow. Consider donating before discarding. Trade and barter for goods. Purchase secondhand or thrift. Use unwanted items in art creations, and question and think before you make a new purchase.”

Paying It Forward

Walking lighter also means fostering emotional awareness. From personal experience, Siegel believes that a man that does fewer things with more intention feels more competent, not less. “The overdrive mindset keeps men in constant ‘doing’, while who they are ‘being’—their emotional availability, their warm presence, the quality of their attention—gets left behind,” he explains.

“Don’t wait to feel good before you act. Take action. Be generous, give something back. Be kind to yourself and others,” says Siegel, who believes that feeling good about oneself without excessive material possession will naturally follow. Living a gentler lifestyle by example is important. He notes, “I think one of the most valuable things you can give your children is a model of a man who knows who he is, acts from his own values, speaks from kindness, shows up with care and doesn’t need others’ approval to feel whole.”

Reganess, a father, underscores the significance of walking the talk without preaching to positively influence younger generations. “Teach by consistent stewardship behavior, suggest alternative ideas and share your reasons for these practices.”

Farrell recommends small efforts and contributing to nature, whether it involves planting a window box, installing a bird feeder or volunteering for a local community gardening program. “We all like to be comfortable,” he says. “There’s nothing wrong with that, but relying on stuff for our sense of inner well-being is a trap. Believing in ourselves, valuing ourselves and knowing how we contribute to our communities is a path to finding a better balance in life.”

Zak Logan is a freelance writer dedicated to holistic health and getting back to basics.

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