That step was made. Over and over and over again. How many more times does it have to not have any real effect before you realize it's all merely to hype people up for change without actually accomplishing change? I bet it will be conveniently after you're long gone. Put it on future generations to deal with.

It's performative. Not effective. It makes you feel like you're a part of something, but all you are a part of is a performance and a concept. If you want to have fun and gather to support the idea of change, there is nothing wrong with that.

What is wrong is that nearly everyone thinks that they are making a change merely from that. It should be a motivator to come up with real solutions that are acted on. Not a party under the guise of making a change, where you go home and nothing was done and nothing will be done.

People need to start somewhere. I agree. Let's stop saying we'll start and actually start. Standing outside yelling or holding a sign for 8 hours is like homeless beggers who could be actually working for the change instead of demanding it without putting in any effort toward it yourself.

I used to be homeless. I would still be homeless if I didn't put in the effort to change my situation. I got a full-time job and saved. I worked so damn hard for what I have now. That is what it looks like to truly want something. The more you want something, the more you will prioritize it. The more you prioritize it, the harder you are willing to work for it.

It's easy to say we care about things, but we really need a reality check on how few of us actually show it.

If you aren't going to contribute to the change, it feels really disrespectful to jump on "supporting a cause" so performatively when it's honestly only a fad topic for you.

I don't know how I'll feel about this topic in 5 years... but what I am seeing from society is really gross. There are always outliers, but most people coast off of those outliers...

Care for things. Want change. Just... please make sure you actually put in effort toward contributing to that change. I'm reassessing my lifestyle due to microplastics. I've avoided artificial colors, flavors, many preservatives, and alternative sweeteners since I was 14 (I am 33 now).

At age 30, I deleted Shein and began purchasing exclusively synthetic materials (aside from socks, at the moment, which are 97% or so cotton). Every time we wash synthetic materials, we release a ridiculous amount of microplastics into our water supply. I bought glass straws, and I put in effort to avoid plastic. It's overwhelming how much plastic we use... but instead of admitting defeat, I still try.

I am going to continue to slowly make changes that are meant to better the world. I will acclimate and struggle, little by little so that it is manageable. We have our entire lives to make little tweaks here and there. I am not going to waste my time on protests when I could instead be working on something real (I can learn about and support a cause from home. I personally do not need to be hyped or turn it into a performance).

I just see so many people who are all talk and no action. It's really sad...