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Flag? Hoisted. Kurta? Worn. Badge? Pinned. Now what? If you’re like many Pakistanis, the next step is a lazy 2pm breakfast, followed by an afternoon watching the news and lamenting “Iss mulk ka kuchh nahi hosakta!” (this country can’t be fixed).

We thought we’d shake things up a bit this year with a few suggestions on how to stop lounging around and dreaming of a better Pakistan, and instead getting up to make it happen. Here are five things anyone can do on August 14 to show just how patriotic they are.

1. Be a responsible citizen

We’re starting off really big here, but hear us out; it isn’t that hard. Enjoying a piping hot samosa from your nearby bakery? Don’t forget to toss the paper bag it came in in the bin. Travelling on the bus? Give up your seat to the elderly. Made the mistake of buying one of those annoying toy horns for a kid? Okay, we’ve got nothing for that one, you’re on your own.

If you’re driving today, please follow the rules of the road. We know it’s an alien concept, but try to signal while changing lanes and stop when the light is red; yes, even when there are no other cars nearby.

2. Serve your country

Let’s be very clear, we’re not asking that you drop everything you’re doing and dedicate your life to the welfare of the people; it’s a great thought, but that’s not what we’re suggesting. You can, however, go clean up your neighbourhood park, donate blood at Indus Hospital or work with organisations like Rizq or Saylani to help feed the less fortunate. It doesn’t even have to involve physical effort; you can even pick up your phone and donate to a charity of your choice. It’s that easy.

Service can even start at home — give your househelp the day off to spend with their families. Call up a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while and check up on them. Take some time to talk to your parents. There’s nothing more patriotic than putting a smile on a fellow Pakistani’s face.

3. Wear green, but have a green thumb

Everyone loves trees. They give us shade, they give us the oxygen we breathe, some even give us fruit. We still lose around 11,000 hectares of tree cover every year, and that’s a problem for a country as lightly forested as ours. This Independence Day, plant a tree. It doesn’t have to be a particular type, it doesn’t have to bear fruit, just plant any tree that is native to your area and can survive in the conditions prevalent there. It doesn’t even have to be a tree — shrubs, bushes, flowers, all plants are welcome!

If you can’t plant a tree, make other changes to benefit the environment. Minimise your use of plastic bags, walk instead of driving, use public transport, we don’t mean to sound like your dad, but turn off all unnecessary lights, make sure your faucet isn’t dripping and don’t leave the stove on when not in use.

4. Be Pakistani, buy Pakistani

Here at Images, we believe in supporting local businesses. If you need suggestions on some local items to buy, feel free to browse our Going Loco for Local section featuring local items we’ve tried out. Today is the day to find your next go-to burger joint or discover a new favourite coffee spot to hang out with your friends.

You can take this a step further and skip the big-name stores and buy from your local corner store or visit farmers markets, explore small businesses selling all sorts of homemade things on Instagram or get your fruit from street vendors. There’s a local alternative for almost everything once you start to look, and often they’re small businesses that’ll pay all the more attention to delivering exactly what you need.

5. Just have a good time

Remember what we said about there being nothing more patriotic than making Pakistanis happy? Well, you’re Pakistani too, so enjoy your well-earned national holiday with a plate of biryani and a tall glass of lassi to wash it down. Go out, visit a park, see some sights and take your family with you. Today is a day for celebration, so you should enjoy it.

Do note that you can do all of these on any day of the year, and you should too. However, if a national holiday is what it takes, so be it. Happy Independence Day!