365 Sustainable Decisions Challenge

Did you know that trees excrete substances (phytoncides) that keep them healthy, and that when we breath them in, we benefit from them too? They are good for our immune system and mood. That's one of the reasons why going to a forest lightens us up so much!

A while ago, I found a nice shoe rack outside, which was left by someone to be taken. As my old shoe rack was slightly too small, I brought it home. But the old one was still in good shape. I kept it to make a raised bed from it to be able to grow herbs (#518). I‘m looking forward to harvesting some basil and thyme.  

I just realized an interesting new perspective: Living longer when NOT doing something (e.g. smoking, polluting) if often unattractive as dying feels years away. But aging quicker affects us today. It is also called anti-aging cream not "look-young-longer" cream.  Inspired by this article:  https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2021/06/21/exposure-to-pollutants-increased-free-radical-damage-speeds-up-aging-per-wvu-led-study

I discovered something: these larvae growing up in a pot with water swim backwards! And the good news: putting a pot with still water outside apparently helps insects!

In #98, I described that I made some beewrap to store my bread. But after using it for a while, I notice that the beeswax got crumbly. This causes my bread to dry out quickly. So I have melted the beeswax in my over (before baking pizza, so I needed to heat up the oven anyway) and now it is good to go again.

I would love to hear from you: What is your biggest struggle when going zero-waste? Please leave your answer in a comment to this post.

Last year, I planted some herbs, flowers and vegetables. But as the name plates didn‘t stay in the right place, I eventually didn‘t know what was growing where. To do it better this year, I crafted name plates from iron wire that I found last year in a bush (#338) and old corks. This will probably work much better.  

I'm feeling so grateful! I had computer issues again; my computer didn't start. Instead of focusing on the problem and becoming frustrated, I focused on solving it.  Putting together several solutions I found, I got it fixed again. Thanks to all who shared how they solved it!

I have learned that it is better to switch off the heating when I’m airing the room, as otherwise the warm air vanishes through the open window immediately. Good to know, so I make sure I do so now.

The broken windows theory states that visible signs of crime encourage further crime. I feel this is true for litter too: visible signs of litter encourage further littering. as it's tempting to think "with so much litter, it doesn't matter when I add some".

Last year, I tried to grow some vegetables.  But because I didn‘t have proper name plates, I couldn‘t figure out which plant was edible and which wasn‘t. That‘s why I this year plant herbs in a planter. This way, I know exactly what plant grows where.  

Would you mind when making a dream come true takes a few years? I don't, as I also love working towards it. E.g. my PhD and first book took 4 years, my second book 3. And I still love the journey of my Challenge after 1,75 years, so I continue making this dream come true too.

Many wrappings are made of paper and plastic. I have been wondering how this works in the recycling machines. Reading a bit more on this on the internet taught me that it is important to separate as much as possible so that scanning machines can do there job properly. This wrapping is even designed for this.

Whilst sharing my ideas, I can't see when you translate them into action in the physical world. That's why I have trust:  I trust that having planted seeds is worth it and brings forth many flowers,  even when I might never see them grow or blossom.

This spider was drowning in my bath, so I rescued it and set it outside. Unfortunately, help came too late this time, but I‘m glad I at least tried. Hopefully I‘m on time when it happens again.

Have you set yourself a goal that you want to reach? If yes, I suggest to also dream about what will happen if you DON'T go for it. E.g. I have to go back to a job when self-employment doesn't work out. This gives me a new perspective and motivates me to make sure that won't happen.

Recently, one LED light and one halogen lamp (I couldn’t replace this one by an LED light) broke. As I’m not sure how to dispose them so that they can be recycled properly, I informed myself online. I learned that I can bring them to shops that sell lights, as they will be able to dispose them properly. So I will do so when I go there anyway.

Did you know that touching wood reduces our heart rate and brain activity? This causes us to feel more relaxed. (This effect does not occur when touching plastics.) So, tree hugging is not a bad idea at all. And the good news: it also works when touching wood in the house.

I somewhere read that it is a good idea to keep the seeds or pips from fruits, so that you can use them for a seed bomb. This means that I can just throw them into nature wherever I feel these seeds can grow to a plant, hoping a tree grows from them.  

FAQ: How do I start living more environmentally friendly? I recommend picking ONE habit or piece of waste and consider what you can do differently: so that you need less energy, water etc. or  such waste doesn't end up in your bin next time. Follow me on Twitter when you need inspiration.