365 Sustainable Decisions Challenge

11 days into my 365 Clover Challenge:  One thing I'm sure of is that I know a lot, including that there are many more things I don't know. As I didn't know how to draw a clover and make it look less flat, I looked it up. Now I know more. That's also how I gained more knowledge on living more sustainable.

Looking back: 183 days into my 365 Sustainable Decisions Challenge . Today, I'm celebrating as I'm half way through my Challenge. Some are wondering how I keep up the energy: that's because I believe that every single action in favor of our environment is important. In this video, I explain why:

10 days into my 365 Clover Challenge:  Every day, I give to the world by doing my Challenges and take as little as possible by living sustainable. I do keep an eye on finding a healthy balance between giving and taking though: if I'd only give, I wouldn't survive and can't keep on giving anymore.

9 days into my 365 Clover Challenge:  One reason for choosing a clover for my second Challenge is its positive symbolic meaning. Apart from representing luck, the individual leaves also have a specific meaning: luck, faith, love, hope. The latter three are essential to keeping my sustainability work up.

8 days into my 365 Clover Challenge:  On Day 271 of my 365 Sustainable Decisions Challenge, I shared that this Challenge is a project that involves many smaller projects. As I now also have additional projects building on this Challenge, such as the book (Day 268), which run parallel, I feel like a juggler trying to keep all balls in the air.

Looking back: 167 days into my 365 Sustainable Decisions Challenge: For the first time, my Challenge feels like a real challenge. As I am doing this project in my spare time, parallel to my full-time job, I have noticed that my energy is getting low. So I am currently looking at what I can do differently, so that I can keep it up.

7 days into my 365 Clover Challenge: Q&A: Where did you learn English?  I learned it in school and as a student, I lived in the UK for a while to improve my English. I'm happy I learned there for life, as it helps me to share my ideas the way I do now.

6 days into my 365 Clover Challenge:  Yesterday, I went for a walk with a friend in the forest and traveled there by train. Even when it takes me longer to get there, I prefer train over car: on a train I can spend my time better, for example by relaxing, working, enjoying the landscape, etc.

5 days into my 365 Clover Challenge:  A few years ago, I came across this quote and saw a video with a similar message: "Too many people need to earn a lot of money, to buy expensive things, to impress people they don’t like". As it is also more sustainable, I only buy things I really need. 

Looking back: 139 days into my 365 Sustainable Decisions Challenge: I am excited about reaching 10.000 followers on Twitter, as it shows me that I am making a positive difference. It also shows me that many are eager to act and learn how. So thanks for your continuous support with spreading the word so that many others can learn about it too!

4 days into my 365 Clover Challenge: I really have to get used to drawing every day and noticed thoughts that aren't helpful, such as "I can't draw this". These are called limiting beliefs. Finding and replacing them has allowed quantum leaps for me in the past, so I believe it will again.

3 days into my 365 Clover Challenge: Today, I mirrored a drawing. Mirroring is in human behavior similar to imitation, both being important to learning. That's also why I believe "a better world starts with myself": it's easier for you to copy than invent behavior when being asked to live more #sustainable.

2 days into my 365 Clover Challenge: During my first Challenge, I noticed that I'll never know what impact my work has exactly (🌱Day 212). However, I do believe it reaches further than I realize due to the ripple effect: when you feel inspired, you inspire others, and they will again other people, etc.

Looking back: 51 days into my 365 Sustainable Decisions Challenge:  Yesterday, I walked to town and picked up rubbish on the way. I passed a man who asked whether I’m an activist. I answered: I do this to do good for our environment. With a broad smile he said he really appreciates it. Such comments, likes and shares keep me going. Thanks!

1 day into my 365 Clover Challenge:  I've researched exercises when starting to learn how to draw, as it makes more sense to begin with easy drawings than with complex ones. When I started to live more sustainable a year ago, I also made small and easy changes first. That's why I practiced straight lines.

0 days into my 365 Clover Challenge:  On 🌱Day 284, an urge to draw inspired me for my next Challenge. As there are many links between drawing and sustainability (🌱Day 340) and I've wanted to improve my skills for years, I'm excited to take you on my 365 Clover Challenge: drawing another clover every day!

-1 days into my 365 .......... Challenge: As I experienced and learned a lot during my 365 Sustainable Decisions Challenge, which will help me during my next Challenge, I'll look back at these stories every two to three day by sharing them again. And if you have a question, let me know for the Q&A on Sunday.

-2 days into my 365 .......... Challenge: The first 365 ideas were all related to my daily life. As I don't have a dog (#366) and haven't done beekeeping yet (#367), the ideas from now on can also be things I'd like to do or how I would do it if relevant. In Dutch we would say: "What isn't yet can still come".

-3 days into my 365 .......... Challenge: Today I shared idea #1, as repetition is important when learning a new skill. So, from now on, I'll alternate between a new idea and one I shared before. Also, you'll find out soon that repetition is key to my next Challenge. I'll give you another hint: 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

-4 days into my 365 .......... Challenge:  Yesterday was amazing! Thank you so much for celebrating with me, it really made my day! 😁 And as promised on Day 284 of my 365 Sustainable Decisions Challenge, I'll keep going. However, before I set out on the next 365 journey on Day 1, I'll share with you what "keep going" involves.