Why I Pick Up Litter: My Personal Ocean Cleanup Journey

Some may think it's for the clout, but in all honesty it's more for fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves. Turtles don't have the ability to stop pollution, nor any animal for that matter, be it marine, land or sky. Now obviously I love that some people would praise me, but honestly I don’t see it or hear it. My turtle walks happen at dawn, I am using a low light flashlight to softly search the sand dunes, or its after dark in the evenings when I go on my nightly runs and on the way I collect rubbish. There is no one around to see it. So while there is comfort in knowing what I am doing is good, and I would love praise, I don't seek it out, it is not the reason I do it. Fighting for the little guy, self pride, doing good for the betterment of planet and all whom dwell on it. I don't expect others to follow and join me, I don't expect praise (kind of hard when no one sees it anyway), and turtles and dolphins and sharks and fish, they cannot thank me. No one thanks me or anything like that. Yes I have taken a photo and shared it, but that is one photo compared to all the other silent efforts of cleaning up the world. Given I am writing it here but you get what I mean.

I like being kind and I like being nice, and I love being a friend, mum etc. It just makes sense to clean up for my ocean friends, even the land dwelling friends. They all matter and are apart of the reason I do it. I do it because it needs to be done and I am there and I see it. Yes there are times I see rubbish and don't pick it up. Most times I do, especially if I have a bag with me to collect a good amount. I have included my kids in clean-ups. Usually we go to the school, or playgrounds, or beach, but they are being taught to give to those who can never repay you, not even thank you. Not in an legible way that these kids would understand.

If everyone picked up a bit of rubbish on their walks or runs, the streets, playgrounds, conservations and beaches would be all the more better and thrive with ease. As mentioned it is a thankless job, and not everyone can do it without getting something in return. My return is a sense of belonging, kindness, empathy, and respect to our world and nature. You cannot put a price on that…. Well you probably could, but again you get what I mean.

So that is my journey and my why, in reference to cleanups. Take nothing but Photos, Leave Nothing but Footprints; Always leaving it better than it was.