Happy New Year to you all!

Here’s to a more eco-friendly 2025.

I thought I’d share some reflections on our Christmas period. It’s such a lovely time to spend with family, eat “well” (too much!), open presents, play games, go for walks, and, yes, drink more than I should. However, this year, I found myself feeling a bit annoyed with myself.

I recycled less than I could have. There were boxes with plastic components that I could have separated for recycling—but I didn’t. I could have washed out more food containers and recycled them—but I didn’t. There were so many small things I could have done better.

I often think we’re all hypocrites to some extent. “Hypocrite” feels like such a loaded word, as though being one makes you a bad person. According to the Collins Dictionary, a hypocrite is “someone who pretends to have qualities, beliefs, or feelings they do not really have.” But in today’s world, I think it’s incredibly hard not to fall into that category, even unintentionally. Or maybe I’m just giving myself an excuse.

While I try to be self-aware, I often feel that my knowledge, experience, and intellect aren’t always reliable. Sometimes I need outside input. These are the kinds of thoughts I internally debate, but they’re not things I find easy to discuss with friends or family. It feels too deep and not easily woven into the day-to-day grind. So, I turned to what many people seem to be using these days: ChatGPT—a non-sentient, distant, faceless "guru" (scary, I know).

We can dive into ChatGPT and its role in modern life another time—it feels like a much bigger conversation. For now, I’ll stick to what I asked it: “Are most people hypocrites?” (Maybe I just wanted reassurance for myself.)

Here was its response:

The question of whether most people are hypocrites is complex and depends on how you define hypocrisy. Generally, people are multifaceted, and their actions and beliefs can sometimes appear contradictory. Here are some perspectives:

1. Cognitive Dissonance Humans often experience cognitive dissonance, where their actions conflict with their beliefs or values. For example, someone might believe in environmental sustainability but still use single-use plastics for convenience. This doesn’t necessarily make them a hypocrite; it might reflect the challenge of aligning ideal behaviour with practical circumstances.
2. Cultural and Social Conditioning People are shaped by societal norms and pressures, which can lead to inconsistencies. A person might publicly endorse equality but unconsciously hold biases due to upbringing or societal influences. This tension doesn’t always stem from intentional deceit but from a lack of self-awareness.
3. Human Complexity Humans aren’t perfectly consistent. Values evolve, and what seems hypocritical at one time might reflect a person navigating change. Contradictions often indicate growth or internal conflict rather than dishonesty.
4. Intent vs. Action Hypocrisy often involves intentional deceit. If someone knowingly promotes values they don’t practise, it can be considered hypocritical. However, many inconsistencies are unintentional or the result of circumstances, not deliberate deceit.

In Summary
Most people aren’t outright hypocrites in the sense of knowingly acting against their stated beliefs. Instead, they are navigating the complexities of life, balancing ideals with reality, and learning as they go. Recognising this complexity can foster understanding and reduce harsh judgements.

After reading this, I responded:

“I feel like a hypocrite because your example in number 1, cognitive dissonance, reflects how I am sometimes. What would be a better word for someone who behaves this way?”

And ChatGPT replied:

If you see yourself reflected in the example of cognitive dissonance, it doesn’t mean you’re a hypocrite in the negative sense. A better word might be “human,” because the gap between ideals and actions is something we all navigate. Here are some alternative terms or concepts that might fit better:

1. Imperfect Everyone has areas where their actions don’t fully align with their values. It reflects being a work in progress rather than being hypocritical.
2. Inconsistent Inconsistency doesn’t imply malicious intent—it acknowledges that life is full of trade-offs and compromises.
3. Conflicted This describes someone who is genuinely grappling with the tension between their values and circumstances, showing internal struggle rather than dishonesty.
4. Aspiring You might not fully live up to your ideals yet, but you’re striving towards them. This word emphasises growth and effort.
5. Self-aware Recognising the disconnect between your actions and beliefs is a strength. Self-awareness is the first step towards change and alignment.

Framing the Experience
Feeling like a hypocrite often reflects your integrity—it bothers you because you value living authentically. Instead of labelling yourself harshly, think of this as an opportunity for growth. Ask yourself:

• What small steps could I take to align my actions with my values?
• Are my expectations of myself realistic, or am I being too hard on myself?

You’re not alone in feeling this way, and striving for alignment is a powerful and commendable journey.

Amazing, right? I mean, I got such helpful feedback from a non-human basically telling me, “Don’t worry—you’re only human.” And I love that.

From this, I’ve taken hope. I just need to keep improving, bit by bit. But I’ve also realised that even when we feel alone in our journeys, we need to reach out to like-minded people—they’re our saviours. Talk openly, whether it’s to friends, family, or even something like ChatGPT. The answers we find often come from connection and exploration.

This journey isn’t just about climate change and helping local biodiversity—it’s about helping ourselves in a wholesome, nature-loving, community-building way.

I know my musings often seem like an unstructured outpouring of thoughts that start in one place and end somewhere completely different. I apologise if my writing is a bit all over the place, but that’s what this blog is for—to get things off my chest.

Wishing you all the very best for 2025!