365 Sustainable Decisions Challenge

Last week I was contacted by the office of Bill Gates.  Because they noticed that I'm "working to prevent a climate crisis", they offered me a free copy of his new book.  I'm honored!  

Recently, I went on a plog, which is a run whilst gathering waste on the way. As you see, I gathered a lot. What I learned is that it is better to bring a small bag and empty it in bins on the was, as I already soon couldn‘t run with this huge bag anymore. Was this helpful or are you inspired and would you like to say "thank you"? Here are some suggestions on how you can do so: >  https://www.sustainabledecisions.eu/thanks    

What is more important to you, being right or being happy?  Wanting to be right often makes conversations tense.  In this video I explain how you can make them more loving and be happy:  > https://youtu.be/FQVETHAiNYM Please give it a try and see how it will change your life.

Being on the road again and having a treat, I didn’t manage to get rid of the paper cups. But I did manage to refuse a plastic fork that they wanted to give me. Even though not being perfect, I’m glad that I could do something. Was this helpful or are you inspired and would you like to say "thank you"? Here are some suggestions on how you can do so: > https://www.sustainabledecisions.eu/thanks  

Where I am from, you can do a wish when you blow away the seeds of a dandelion. One of the girls in the this post below found one and wished that people take better care of nature. Do you want to make her wish come true too? Please share when you do!

I think it is a great idea to use an empty tin as a pen holder. For this one, I took some strong paper, folded part of the outer layer to the inside* and put another layer on the inside. This way the tin is not visible anymore and I can‘t cut myself accidentally.   * By incising the paper every centimeter or so, it is easier to fold the paper to the inside of the tin. Was this helpful or are you inspired and would you like to say "thank you"? Here are some suggestions on how you can do so: > https://www.sustainabledecisions.eu/thanks    

Yesterday, I told someone about my new plan for earning a living. In that context, she used the word failure. But this is not a failure to me: I just acted for 6 months according to my previous plan, recently reflected on it, learned from it and made another plan.  Was this helpful or are you inspired and would you like to say "thank you"? Here are some suggestions on how you can do so: > https://www.sustainabledecisions.eu/thanks

In the restaurant, I chose a tasty meal. As I was really hungry, it wasn’t enough to be filled up. So, I asked others at the table, who had some food left, whether it was okay for me to finish their plates. They were happy to do so, so in the end, I was glad that I only had a small meal. No food was wasted. Was this helpful or are you inspired and would you like to say "thank you"? Here are some suggestions on how you can do so: > https://www.sustainabledecisions.eu/thanks

Recently, I spoke at the Scientists for Future conference. I explained why your impact when living more environmentally friendly is a lot larger than you realize. (Language: German)  > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs5pTHMOqNU

Last Christmas, I had a present that was hard to wrap into a paper wrapping. That‘s why I had the idea to use a reusable cloth instead. And apparently, this is very common in other countries. When you search for „furoshiki“ in your favorite search engine, you‘ll find more about this and how to make it look really good. Was this helpful or are you inspired and would you like to say "thank you"? Here are some suggestions on how you can do so: >  https://www.sustainabledecisions.eu/thanks    

This weekend, I used a voucher for a course. Although I did this course before, something inside me told me to join. So I did, even though I was tired. And interestingly, it was a great decision as the insights gave me a lot of energy. Never thought a course can be therapeutic too. Was this helpful or are you inspired and would you like to say "thank you"? Here are some suggestions on how you can do so: > https://www.sustainabledecisions.eu/thanks

After having used my toothbrush for maybe too long, I replaced it. But, of course, hnot by a plastic one. I found one that is made of bamboo. Using this one will make me feel good as I have changed yet another habit in favor of our environment. Was this helpful or are you inspired and would you like to say "thank you"? Here are some suggestions on how you can do so: > https://www.sustainabledecisions.eu/thanks  

In The Little Prince by A. de Saint-Exupéry, baobab trees endanger the prince's planet. I treat the climate crisis as the prince did with baobabs: do what I can to stop it as soon as possible, because we will never be able to get rid of it if we attend to it too late. Was this helpful or are you inspired and would you like to say "thank you"? Here are some suggestions on how you can do so: > https://www.sustainabledecisions.eu/thanks

After going for a walk, I noticed that my heel hurt a little. That‘s when I realized that my sock has become so thin that I walked a hole in it. So, I now don‘t use them anymore. But the material is still fine to for example blow my nose, so I didn‘t throw them away.  

You've probably heard of the 5 or 7 R's when reducing or going zero waste. But let's be honest, can you remember them? I can't. And that's normal as we tend to only remember 4 items. This course brings it down to 2x2 items, making it so much easier:  > https://bit.ly/3t4fmGD

Imagine I work in a company with 1.000 employees. Let’s say that every employee uses one plastic or paper cup every day for coffee. Assume that this is 220 cups per year. Only in this company, 220.000 cups will be thrown away. And even if they are glass cups, still 220.000 cups have to be washed every year. This is a horrific idea, so I bring my own cup now.  

When I quit my job 6 months ago, I planned replacing my income with courses about sustainable living. As this does not work out, but giving up my sustainability mission to help restore our earth isn't an option, I for now do freelance work in linguistics, education and IT. Was this helpful or are you inspired and would you like to say "thank you"? Here are some suggestions on how you can do so: >  https://www.sustainabledecisions.eu/thanks

I found this brown banana in my fruit bowl. It didn‘t look tasty anymore and was already very soft. Being so soft, it was perfect to use as sandwich spread on my slice of bread. And, it tasted good, so I‘m glad I didn‘t have to throw the banana away.  

Due to Corona virus pandemic, I have to take the bag that comes with my bread from the bakery so can't bring my own bag or net ( #39 ). That's why I have many paper bags. But now I know how to use them well: to carry waste I find on my walk instead of using a new plastic bag. I already filled one!

I recently learned that e-books can be ePub but also PDF files. That's why I've made the 365 Sustainable Decisions Challenge book with easy ideas to live more environmentally friendly available as PDF:  >  https://www.sustainabledecisions.eu/books Enjoy!

In my company, there is a campaign to reduce the number of paper napkins. I really appreciate this, so I indeed didn’t take a napkin.

Do you also sometimes feel overwhelmed because you realize how much you don't know or can't do yet? I did yesterday. But luckily I also know how to get over it: by focusing on the next steps instead of on the end of the marathon. This shift helps and gives energy to keep moving!

For my meal, I needed a baking tray. To make sure that the vegetables wouldn‘t stick to it, I used oil. I first wanted to spread it with a piece of single-use paper, but then realized I could just as well use a potato that I would later put in the oven. So, I just in time saved unnecessary waste.

Recently, I met a friend who told me that he just bought milk directly from a farmer. I gave this a try today too, going there by bike and bringing my own bottle. The only thing I now need to do is boil it to kill potentially dangerous germs. I'm excited about trying all this!

In #107, I described how I made a drinking glass out of my chocolate spread glass. I decided to carve the logo of this Challenge in it, to be able to give it as a present. I love how the glass has become very valuable!  

When I wake up, I often don't know what I'll share with you in the evening. I merely have faith that at some point during the day an idea pops up. This also often works for other things for which I don't have a solution yet: I have faith that at some point it comes out of the blue.

I spilled some water on the ground and got a piece a paper to mop it up. But then I realized this is a waste, and it would be more environmentally friendly to use a reusable cloth. So, for the second half of the puddle, I used a cloth.  

In #113, I described that I sewed small towels from unused towels. The reason was that I sometimes use kitchen paper to dry my hands. To reduce my waste even further, I can now use these small towels and wash them.  

To me it feels like I'm leaving behind a trail of ideas, just like Hansel and Gretel did with breadcrumbs. The trail is there for you to come along like Pacman and take them in. And although Pacman is used to a maze, I love making the game straightforward for you:

When buying washing-up liquid, it contains a lot of water. As this water has to be transported too, it would be more efficient to buy it without. That‘s why I was really happy when I found this washing-up powder. I just mix it with a bit of water and I‘m good to go!  

About a year ago, I inspired someone to pick up waste. This person recently inspired a small child to do the same. And in this picture you can see that she inspired her friend. I get tears in my eyes seeing this! So beautiful! And that is the power of being a good example.

With the bin I showed yesterday (#119), I have decided to walk around the neighborhood and gather waste. It makes it a lot easier, is some sort of sports and by taking action it maybe even raises awareness.

As it is my mission to make sustainable living easy for you, I've set up a page with sustainable online shops (and will extend this list). This way, you can shop sustainably online without spending time on researching suitable shops: https://www.sustainabledecisions.eu/partners . I would really appreciate when you bookmark this page and use it as a starting point each time you go shopping. By doing so, you support my work: these partners pay me a tiny commission when you buy something. This means you support my work with no extra cost to you! Thank you and happy shopping! >  https://www.sustainabledecisions.eu/partners

One thing I always do at night and occasionally during the day is closing the shutters to keep the heat in when it is really cold outside or out when it is really hot (summer). This saves me electricity to heat up or cool down the room.  

In the beginning of my Challenge, I wondered whether it would become hard to find ideas. Now I know, it's not. I still have plenty. But what I never expected is that taking the pictures is becoming harder because of staying at home. A great opportunity to do more upcycling.

To be able to make my cleaning activities (#43) easier, I have built a waste bin to wear on my back. The backpack was given to me by someone who didn’t need it anymore. The waste bin is the one I’m using at home and the blue ties are some that my dad had lying around. I tried it immediately and it works very well.  

Do you sometimes wake up in the morning and still feel tired? Today, a dear fellow community member shared this article with me, which made me realize that sleep is not always the type of rest we need. I currently need emotional rest most due to my daily roller coaster ride, and you? https://ideas.ted.com/the-7-types-of-rest-that-every-person-needs

When I realized these trousers had a hole and a seam needed to be sowed together again, I did so immediately. First, when I want to do it anyway, I‘m rid of the task on my to do list. And second, it prevents the hole from becoming larger, making it less likely that it becomes so big that I can‘t repair it anymore.  

As I'm eager to develop myself, I attend courses. In the context of one course, I got 3 vouchers for an online course that normally costs $299 and is now for free. I shared these with my newsletter subscribers. Join my newsletter to get updated first too https://www.sustainabledecisions.eu/newsletter . 

Close to where I live is a "Hühnermobil": a trailer with chickens. Yesterday, the farmer gave me a guided tour. What I appreciate is that these chickens can go outside whenever they want. I prefer to eat their eggs than from chicken in a battery cage. And it uses solar panels.

In the shower I used recently, there were heat lamps available. Turning them on really made a difference, but I switched them off immediately. I know that these lamps use a lot of energy. And as I’m in the bathroom for a short time anyway (#9), I don’t think it is worth the energy. 

Yesterday, I felt dispirited for a short time and thought: "How is this project ever going to work financially? I need coaching, preferably right now". Less than one minute later, my new coach who will support me over the next 12 months called me unannounced. What a great timing! And I was able to share with her my struggles, which made me feel a lot better straight away.

Luckily, I only burned one piece, but that was enough to remind me that I want to make sure that I don‘t burn my food. It costs more energy to heat it for too long and causes unnecessary food waste. And it saves a lot of money. More on saving money .  

Recently, I got to know Wish Gardens ( www.WishGardens.com ). At first, it looked to me like a normal webshop for sustainable products. But whilst talking to Michele Barry who initiated this project, I got goose bumps from all the additional positive impact they make, such as donating a tree for each purchase, giving money to homes for people with disabilities and carbon-offsetting. To me this is an excellent example that by doing business, the earned money can be used to make an even larger positive impact.

I recently visited someone and was asked to get the ice cubes ready. It was hard for me to see that they were in plastic bags and that a lot of waste was generated by that. So, I prefer to use the reusable containers.

In one of my magazines was written that every bad quality also has a positive side. It's true: I can be very impatient, but impatience also causes me to be very eager to do lots and lots for your planet. James Clear would agree. And realizing this, I want to be impatient too.

On Day 481, I shared that I heated something up in the microwave. This time, I boiled vegetables and used the heat from the water, pan and vegetables to heat up my food leftovers from yesterday, so that no additional energy was needed. I was surprised how well that worked!  

This week, I wondered why the first few times doing something is so exciting - sometimes too exciting - and is much easier quickly. The reason: at first, I don't know what to expect and what will happen. Knowing I only have to be brave a few times makes it easier to just do it.

Fruit and vegetables are often only sold (and eaten) when they look perfect. But they can just as well be eaten and also taste good when they have an unconventional form. By buying fruit and vegetables in unconventional form, I encourage shops to sell these as well instead of throwing them away.  

When a butterfly closes its wings, it's less well visible and safer for predators. But it also hides its beauty. When I started my 365 Sustainable Decisions Challenge, I decided to open my wings and share my ideas. Theodore Roosevelt would have liked it:

When I occasionally use my microwave to heat up some food, I make sure that I heat it up as short as possible. It has happened to me in the past that I heated food up too long, so that it was too hot. and then had to wait again for it too cool down. A waste of electricity and time.