Why do I feel soooo tired?

The constant grey skies, the wind, the rain and sometimes the snow? I long for the days when the sun is out and a frost has settled, it makes my walk to work much more interesting even though I am still wearing a million layers.

It also doesn’t help that the news at the moment is not on the happy side. Mental health, eco-anxiety, general anger at the world are all real things! Social media affects my mood more than I would like it to, and really how much progress on tackling climate change is really happening?

I can go into a doom spiral and start thinking “what is the point?”

Well, the point is, we need to stay positive!

We already recycle, we’ve reduced or cut out meat, we’ve stopped buying fast fashion, we walk or cycle more, we’ve reduced our plastics and we’ve lobbied hard! So, what else can we do that not only makes a difference, but gives us some positive vibes?

I want to share a few things to do and people I follow that all give me some hope. Even if the news agenda is challenging(!!!),at least there is a movement of people doing stuff!

There are lots of campaigns out there – Oxfam are currently asking the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves to tax luxury travel – things like private jets and super yachts that really chug out the pollution and are hardly taxed at all – you can join us

There are lots of campaigns you can get involved with out there – you could even campaign at festivals with Oxfam

Just have a search online for climate change campaigning and there are lots of organisations working together to tackle this crisis, you could even join Oxfam's Climate Broadcast channel?

Oxfam is encouraging plant swapping events in April – why not gather a small group of green friends and do something together? You can start now by planting some seeds, or dividing some plants you already have and getting together to grow your own!

Having a project to work towards, and doing this with friends is an ideal way to ease your anxiety and get into nature a bit more. Whether it’s veg to eat or flowers to please, getting your hands in some soil is the best.

There are lots of ways to get out into nature. Oxfam is also organising ‘March Your Way’ an event where you pledge to walk, run, hike 31 miles in the month of March. You can do it anyway you want. Get some friends together and get outdoors… hopefully the sun will shine?

And even if it is cold now, it should be warmer in March. Plus, once you get moving you’ll heat up! 😉 (Psst... while you're out walking, why not join #StickNation on TikTok and find a new appreciation for nature and sticks?)

I decided a year ago that I wanted to ‘retrain’ my social media algorithm. Now this is an ongoing task, but blocking things I didn’t want to see and actively following things I did want to see has changed what is shown to me.

I’m sharing these feeds as you might find them interesting. I have found they make my own news feed more positive. Perhaps there’s something that will bring you joy in these too?

• Sam Bentley. Just good vibes and good news stories that you might not have heard of.
• Elizabeth Wathuti. An amazing campaigner from Kenya who is out there making her and her communities voices heard.
• Good News Movement Does what is says on the tin.
• Tori Tsui. Climate justice activist – incredibly strong campaigning stories and ways to take action.
• Mikaela Loach. Author and climate campaigner – amazing to follow such an inspirational woman holding big corporations to account.
• Jessica Kleczka. Promotes sustainability, and a more ethical and natural way of living. Great content from her van.
• Dominique Palmer. Writer and Climate activist, posting amazing inspiring and fun stories, helping to bring joy to the climate movement.
• Alaina Wood, also known as the Garbage Queen. More good climate news stories for your feed.
• Mya Rose Craig, also known as Bird Girl. Bird watcher, writer and environmentalist – showing support for nature campaigns and advocating for the environment.
• And just for some silly fun – why not think about ‘sticks’ differently on TikTok?

(All views expressed in these social media accounts are their own)

Now I know this is a long list... Giving these people a follow not only helps feed good things into your news feed, but it helps them with the work they are doing – double win!

I hope these small things you can do help with this grey time of year. And gives you some hope that there is a movement of people out there, working hard to achieving some climate justice in the world – good luck and keep going!