personaalsust

Personaalsust is a neologism that designates an approach to living that integrates personal well-being with sustainable practices. Rather than treating sustainability as an exclusively environmental concern, personaalsust emphasizes how daily choices about time, resources, and habits affect both the individual and their wider community. The aim is to build resilience and reduce ecological impact through manageable, long-term routines.

Origins and usage: The term appears in online discussions and self-help or environmental blogs in the 2010s and 2020s, with varying spellings and definitions. It is not universally standardized and may be confused with personal sustainability or self-care oriented sustainability. In practice, users may define personaalsust according to personal circumstances and cultural context.

Core principles and practices: Prioritize routine-based actions that are both beneficial to the person and the planet, such as mindful consumption, repair over replacement, energy-efficient habits, and reduced digital waste. Emphasizes measurement of personal capacity: sleep, nutrition, time management, and mental health as limits to sustainable action. Favors small, repeatable changes over grand goals.

Evaluation and critique: Proponents argue it makes sustainability more accessible and psychologically sustainable. Critics warn that an excessive focus on individual behavior can neglect systemic issues and place responsibility on individuals. The term remains fluid, with different communities adapting its scope and terminology.