For me, sustainability has become an ever-evolving journey.

Since becoming a mother, I have begun to reflect deeply on what is natural, what is better for a child, and what is truly healthy for our family. These are questions that every mother goes through. Because of everything my child and I experienced together, I was compelled to examine every aspect of life—education, health, lifestyle, thought processes, social interactions, how much we engage with others, and how much time we spend in our own space.

You begin to revisit, reinvent, and rebirth an entirely new way of thinking and living. The way I was raised and the life I was accustomed to is very different from what I have ultimately chosen for my child.

This journey took me from parenthood into a deeper exploration of education. I completed a teacher-training course based on alternative global education methods. That, in turn, led me to the next chapter of my journey, where I felt a strong inner calling to study Ayurveda.

I wanted to understand, at a very fundamental level, what it truly means to eat healthy food. How does food strengthen our immune system? How does it shape our relationship with our body, our mind, and our overall well-being? Most importantly, for me personally, this journey created a very deep connection with farmers and agriculture—especially because we come from India, a country where food and farming are traditionally revered and respected.

When you reach this level of respect for food and nature, you are required to redesign your entire lifestyle around it. This includes understanding seasonal vegetables, appropriate grains, how food should be consumed, and the correct methods of cooking. Rediscovering food also means rediscovering your relationship with it.

This realization led me to believe that we are at a point where we no longer have a choice. We may delay action, ignore the problem, or turn a blind eye—but that is not a solution for our well-being. We must return to our roots, our traditions, and ways of living that are in harmony with nature.

We must eliminate all forms of plastic, aluminum, and harmful chemicals. By chemicals, I mean everyday consumer products—shampoos, soaps, creams, perfumes, nail polish, makeup, and cosmetic items. We discontinued all of these a long time ago.

In our home, we make natural soap solutions using reetha (soapnut) for washing clothes, cleaning toilets, bathroom surfaces, and utensils. We use shikakai for shampoo. We bathe either without soap or with naturally handmade soaps made from vegetable oils like coconut or olive oil, without added colors or artificial fragrances.

If a friend is making soap, I sometimes request them to add essential oils—lavender, rose, or tea tree oil—which also act as natural disinfectants.

Through this process, we have overcome our fear of minor bacteria or viruses on surfaces. We have grown closer to nature and believe in living in complete harmony with it. This means it is okay for children to play in the rain. It is okay to wear clothes that have already been worn once or twice. Children are naturally comfortable with this—it is adults who create unnecessary concerns.

We have become too artificial in our way of living. Excessive advertising and misinformation from media have distorted our ideas of hygiene, beauty, fashion, and standards of living. We have been sold products we never truly needed.

Even for daily-use items, we have simplified. We no longer use toothpaste—we use tooth powder, either homemade or simple babul powder from an Ayurvedic store. These may seem like small steps, but they are conscious acts of responsibility within our homes.

While it is encouraging to see people collectively saying no to plastic, many are still unwilling to change their personal habits. I often hear people say,

“We’ll use plastic bags at the market anyway. ”

As conscious consumers—and more importantly, conscious global citizens—we must recognize that we are part of one humanity, deeply connected to each other. Every individual effort contributes to the larger purpose of building a sustainable and environmentally friendly world.

Being a conscious citizen means questioning everything. When we go to a shop or buy grains from a farmer, we must ask questions—about pollution, landfills, waste management, and responsible disposal. Our lifestyles and habits must change if we want meaningful impact.

Through this blog, Sustainable Era, I hope to share ideas around simplification and minimalism, reducing cost of living, local and seasonal recipes, natural remedies, changing eating habits, and moving away from excessive dependence on restaurants, malls, branded products, advertising, and media influence.

This will be a space where we discuss, question, and find solutions together—simply, consciously, and responsibly.

Short Website Version

For me, sustainability is an evolving journey shaped deeply by motherhood. Becoming a parent made me question what is natural, healthy, and truly beneficial for my child and family. This reflection led me to explore education, Ayurveda, and a way of living that is rooted in tradition and harmony with nature.

Through this journey, I developed a deeper connection with food, farming, and seasonal living—understanding how what we eat, use, and consume impacts our body, mind, and environment. We have consciously eliminated plastics, chemicals, and unnecessary consumer products from our daily lives, choosing natural alternatives instead.

I believe we have reached a point where sustainability is no longer a choice but a responsibility. Returning to our roots, simplifying our lifestyles, and making mindful decisions at home are essential steps toward building a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

Former Miss World 1999
Yukta Mookhey (Environmental Activist)