Editor’s note: This week, Celsias writer Jessica Gottlieb takes a look at some of the practical aspects of incorporating green practices into a household’s routine. Is it easy? Not always. Is it worth it? Definitely! This post was originally published on September 25, 2007.

Yes? No? Maybe so?

The conversations all start the same.

I’d really like to be green but I don’t see myself with a compost pile at my back door a la Ed Begley.

Well either do I, what about using the green bin that the city of Los Angeles provides?

It’s not just that. There’s just so much to do.

There sure is and that’s why so many of us aren’t greener. Because you can’t do it all. You sure can want to do it all but in real life we’re juggling families and kids and deadlines and dogs and someone wants to run on the lawn so really you’ve got to have one and GoshIt’sAllSoOverwhelming I’m going to throw in the towel before I begin.

But please don’t.

I’m such a typical housewife in Los Angeles. I have the potential to have a mighty large footprint because sometimes I’m just too dang tired to do much more than consume. But I’m doing what I can and I’m unapologetic about not doing it all.

Wanna know why?

Because I’m getting there. And if I spend time moaning and complaining about the compost pile I don’t have I’d forget to use the green lawn trimmings bin. It’s imperfect but it’s good. Let’s not discount good.

Speaking of discounts: I like cute clothes and the taper on my jeans has changed quite a bit in the last few years. Nothing gets pitched: I resell on eBay or drop it off at a consignment store or a charity. I bet you do that too.

See, you’re greener than you thought.

Do me a favor: if it’s winter time stop reading right now and turn the thermostat down two degrees. If it’s summer time turn the temperature up two. I’ll wait. Promise, I’ll be right here.

*tapping fingers*

See, didn’t that feel good? I didn’t ask you to turn it off, just down. Not everyone’s a revolutionary soul but we’re all a part of one very small Earth.

Now when you clean out the kitchen drawer and realize that you have eighteen spatulas please don’t put the seventeen you don’t love into the trash, drop them off at your local Salvation Army, there may be a family who needs kitchen tools.

My husband hates paper plates and plastic ware. He would do the dishes himself before eating off a paper plate with a plastic fork. That is green. Now, how difficult is that?

Rather than making the sweeping declaration that Green is too much work, we can all take baby steps. Don’t forget to talk about your baby steps because awareness is important.

Now I’m off to redecorate my daughter’s bedroom (it’s her birthday gift). If you’re in the Los Angeles area you’ll see a four poster twin bed on Freecycle and a cute rug too.

I’ll be walking to the farmer’s market for a lunchtime snack shortly thereafter.

You see, I’m inching toward perfection and it’s kinda fun if you want to join me.

* Please do not print this post, just forward it to a friend (or twenty)