By way of introducing this column I have to talk about something most of us don't like to talk about: Green Guilt.

You see, "green" is a popular word these days. So is "sustainable" and "organic." It's really exciting to see the many positive changes that are happening around sustainability; I applaud them and have made quite a few adjustments myself.

But that doesn't keep me from feeling a bit guilty about what I could be doing versus what I am doing. I call it "Green Guilt." And many folks I talk to feel the same.

"The more I learn, the more I want to do," says Ballard resident Ingela Wanerstrand, owner of Green Darner Designs, a sustainable gardening design and coaching company.

"I put up a clothesline, changed my light bulbs (to compact fluorescents), always buy recycled content paper," she said. "I purchase non-toxic paint and recycle food waste. But I always feel some guilt, like I could do more."

Girl, I get that. The guilt pool is deep. After all, as an American I use way more than my earthly fair share of resources. I'm not averse to making changes, it just never seems enough.

Everywhere I turn there are so many "shoulds." And the very best choices can be expensive.

"It's not for lack of will, it's lack of time and money," says Wanerstrand about making the big changes like driving an electric car or installing a cistern.

But Wanerstrand forwarded a perspective that I found not just helpful, but crucial for the journey ahead.

"I look at it as a continuum, where I am constantly making changes and moving toward sustainability."

Ah, small steps forward. I don't have to do everything at once. And neither do you.

So what you can expect from this column is, first, a lack of "shoulds." And second, through the sharing of your questions, ideas or inspiration, the encouragement to take one more small step on the continuum, wherever you are. Think of me as the go-to green girl. As we share, we learn. And as Ingela says, "We all do what we can. We can always do more."

Rhonda lives in Ballard and is the Urban Crop Circle Project Leader for Sustainable Ballard. You can reach her with questions or comments at Rhonda@sustainableballard.org.