Does Your Partner Have a Disposable Personality?

“Even when I know I should recycle, my subconscious still falls back on the cultural norm that whatever seems easiest at the time is good enough.” Unknown

There are people who value what they have. People who perform routine maintenance of their car and wash it weekly. People who mend a rip in a shirt. People who look at an aging coffee pot and decide even if it isn’t the most efficient they will keep it until it no longer works.

There are others who may upgrade now and again, but do so responsibly. The car that can’t pass inspection can be donated to charity. The microwave from twenty years ago may no longer be safe and is not very energy efficient. They may try to sell it online rather than trash it or they take it to a recycling centre. Items that can go in a blue bin are cleaned so as not to contaminate the whole load.

Honestly, recycling is confusing. A 2011 survey found that only fifty percent of adults admitted to recycling daily. What is recyclable and where does it go? Can I leave the label on a tin can? Are milk containers eligible for a refund? Do I have the time to wash jars? Are lids recyclable? It takes too much time to drive to the recycling centre. There are many barriers to doing it and doing it right. Yet, does your partner still try?

At one time replacing an object was not so easy and was more expensive than to do a repair. Parts were readily available to fix what broke. Now, companies don’t offer that service. If a small widget breaks, you need to buy the whole contraption. Companies know that people are becoming more accepting of throwing out the old and buying new.

What of those that don’t care about the green way of living? They replace needlessly and don’t care if the old goes in the trash. They feel their effort either will not make a difference or that global warming is unstoppable. They may place all the blame on big business and the government and don’t make any personal effort.

Does your partners ideation on the topic relate to how they view people and relationships? If they don’t value our planet, will they work hard at a relationship that becomes inconvenient or uncomfortable? Will they place all the blame on their partner? We are in a time where it is easier than ever to disconnect from people in our lives. We just ghost them or send a text that avoids the discomfort of the devastation this might cause.

The idea that our relationships are becoming disposable is so prevalent that a Google search has more than forty million suggestions. The ease of the internet and the seemly endless buffet of options offered on dating sites gives us the impression there is always someone better waiting. Are we really so hypnotized by all the sappy movies and fairy tales that we believe we will find the perfect partner that never farts or forgets our anniversary? Do we think that hot girl looks that way when she wakes up in the morning? Do we believe our next partner will have no flaws and will never challenge us? More and more people are saying that if things with their partner got difficult they would end the relationship.

I can find no research into whether a person that cares deeply for Mother Earth and tries to be a good steward for her will be a sturdy romantic partner but I believe they are likely to put in more effort than someone who doesn’t. In my eyes, it stands to reason that someone who cares about his planet and possessions, won’t throw in the towel when the going gets tough. I believe this is the sort that will work at issues and seek help when it is needed.