“Every solution we need is in nature if we look”: Insiya Jafferjee’s low-impact living tips
Latest low-impact life reset
“Carving out quiet time in the morning. Even 10 minutes to myself gives me space to breathe and structure my thoughts before the stresses of the day flow in. That pause changes the rhythm of everything that follows.”
… and the one that has brought you the most joy
“Running home three times a week. It’s always hard to find time for meaningful exercise, but combining my commute with a run sneaks it in without feeling like a chore. It clears my head, lets me process the day, and I arrive home lighter, both physically and mentally.”
Favourite planet-positive products
“Wild deodorant and FKAH body lotion. Both are so thoughtfully created, from the ingredients to the brand values, and they use Vivomer packaging, which makes me proud. Seeing our material out in the world in products I genuinely love is deeply motivating.”
It is possible to fix the plastic crisis, and things can pivot more quickly than we imagine. Holding onto optimism while taking action is incredibly powerful
All-time top second-hand find
“A pair of old Gucci glasses. They were hand-crafted, and you can see the care in every part of the frame. I love pieces where craftsmanship and longevity really shine through.”
Favourite walking route
“Walking from Hackney Downs up to Walthamstow Marshes. It’s such a simple route, but I love the feeling of moving from the bustle of the city into this wilder, open green space.”
Most beautiful cycle journey
“Cycling across the Bay Area to Sausalito.”
Most joyful weekend moment
“Honestly, a really good coffee. There’s something about slowing down, taking that first sip, and feeling the whole weekend stretch out ahead of you.”
Plant-based dish of dreams
“Sri Lankan red lentils (dal). It’s comforting, nourishing and always reminds me of home. Cooked slowly with onions, garlic, ginger, spices and coconut milk, finished with lime juice and fresh coriander, it’s simple but endlessly satisfying.”
Sri Lankan Red Lentil Dal, loveandotherspices.com
Song that lights you up and the story behind it
“Some easy ’90s nostalgia. Those tracks instantly transport me back, lift my mood and remind me not to take everything so seriously.”
The independent coffee shop that makes you happy
“Lodestar [in Clapton, East London]. The coffee is excellent, but it’s also about the warm, welcoming atmosphere: it’s a place that feels like a little pause in the day.”
Indie record store tip
“Rough Trade NYC. It’s iconic, eclectic and always full of discoveries.”
Second-hand store or market worth a mooch
“Hackney Flea Market. It’s brilliant for vintage furniture and quirky finds you won’t see anywhere else.”
Cause you give to every month
“The UN World Food Programme. Everyone deserves access to food, and supporting them is a small way I can contribute to that mission.”
Vivomer, Shellworks
Low-impact living podcast you’d recommend
“99% Invisible. It’s technically about design, but it makes you notice the systems around us in new ways, and often connects to sustainability in surprising, thoughtful ways.”
Fave book that inspired you to make a change
“Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. It’s about resilience, identity and family, and it made me reflect on the role of cultural roots in how we live and work.”
Person who inspires you and why
“My grandmothers. Both lived with incredible resilience, meeting whatever life threw at them with strength and grace.”
Planet-positive hero
“Honestly, nature. It’s the greatest innovator and teacher we have, every solution we need is there if we look closely enough.”
Quote to live by
“It doesn’t matter when you do something in life, life will always give you an opportunity, and in that moment you should grasp it.”
Vivomer, Shellworks
What gets you every time
“Fluffy animals. I can’t help but melt.”
What is love
“The ability to share deep experiences and happiness. It’s about being present, whether in big moments or small ones.”
Issue do you care most about changing
“Plastic pollution. It’s become so embedded in daily life that we almost stop seeing it, but it’s one of the most urgent challenges of our time.”
Message you’d love to share with the collective
“It is possible to fix the plastic crisis, and things can pivot more quickly than we imagine. Holding onto optimism while taking action is incredibly powerful.”
Discover more about Insiya’s work at shellworks.com. Now sign-up to The Planet Positive Edit, the free BRiMM newsletter, check out lots more low-impact living tips on our Journal, and head over to our Shop to browse our Reset Boxes and hundreds of planet-positive design-led products