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Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.

To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?


  • Katherine  Leyva's avatar
    Katherine Leyva 5/01/2019 6:20 PM
    So far it's been easier than I had thought to reduce my energy usage and I love that! Not only am I being energetically efficient by turning off the light in each room that I leave, and by having replaced my lightbulbs with LED bulbs, but my utility bill is the lowest it has been in months since taking the initiative. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Energy Adjust the Thermostat
    Your utility company is able to tell you your average energy usage. Ask them how your energy usage compares to others in your zipcode, and in your state. What other steps can you take each day to reduce your electricity usage?

    Katherine  Leyva's avatar
    Katherine Leyva 5/01/2019 6:12 PM
    My utility bill states that my average daily use (monthly usage/days. in period) is 6.9kWh, a decrease from last month with was 8.4 kWh. However my total usage for this month was 200kWh, which falls bellow the average of other in my area and state. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Energy Turn it off
    How is electricity generated where you live? How does it impact the environment, animals, and humans?

    Katherine  Leyva's avatar
    Katherine Leyva 5/01/2019 6:06 PM
    Electricity is generated through our local power lines. It makes us humans completely dependable on this process. With the animals however, if power lines continue to expand, the local wildlife continue to be further pushed from their homes. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Transportation Walk Instead
    Half of all trips made in the US are three miles or less; 72% of them are driven. Do you feel that this fact applies to you? If so, how might you incorporate more muscle-powered transportation in your daily life?

    Jessica Zou's avatar
    Jessica Zou 5/01/2019 2:54 PM
    Due to my thinking that driving is a stressful activity, I do not drive as often as my family only when absolutely necessary; however, I do see even more value in continuing my habits of not driving or even calling an uber when I could easily walk the distance or take public transportation. If it's less than three miles, walking or biking is a really great alternative because it cuts down on harmful pollution while also helping me incorporate exercise into my daily commute. I hope to stay in cities that have good walking routes and public transportation systems. If I ever do need to drive somewhere, I would definitely ask if carpooling with others is an option. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Go Paperless
    Reducing your paper mail can be such a freeing action to take -- by reducing what is coming in, you can reduce what is going into the recycling bin too. How does it make you feel? What is the next step you will take to reduce your waste?

    Jessica Zou's avatar
    Jessica Zou 5/01/2019 2:50 PM
    In the last few years, I have switched to the paperless option and it has been less stressful contending with unwanted and pointless mail that contains information I could have learned from online or by logging into a website. It has created less clutter because we no longer need to find a place to store mail in case we think we might need it or find time to rip it pieces before trashing it. Growing up, my parents taught me to rip up mail so that people couldn't use this information but not having mail to actually rip up is less time consuming. The next step I'll be taking is buying paper from companies that are reusing old paper to make more paper instead of cutting down more trees. I also have tried to make more of an effort to use less paper in general if I don't need to. If I want to write on something, I can always use scrap paper. Being more aware of this makes me feel better about how I view trash; I see them as potential resources that I can incorporate into my daily life rather than spend more money on new products. 

  • Domonique Williams's avatar
    Domonique Williams 4/28/2019 5:41 PM
    It has been going really well, I have been very successful in meeting most of the requirements of this challenge. The only time that I have been unable to meet the challenge, is when I had to wash my hair. My hair is extremely curly and difficult to manage so it took me a lot longer to do my hair. I have been trying to figure out a efficient way to do my hair but not use as much water. I think I have a few ideas but it will take some careful planning to do. 

  • Sierra De La Garza's avatar
    Sierra De La Garza 4/27/2019 8:22 PM
    I wish I'd started this challenge earlier- its so interesting and engaging! I also wish I can do more water actions (as this class's week was water sinks) but many of the options are permanent or expensive. (ah college) 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Use a Reusable Mug
    Maybe you've heard how good it is to switch from a single use coffee cup to a reuseable one but it's just hard to make the switch. Think about what stands in your way of making this a habit. By identifying the challenges, you can begin to work through them to have better success in taking this action. Knowing the difference you are making, how does it make you feel?

    Sierra De La Garza's avatar
    Sierra De La Garza 4/27/2019 8:14 PM
    Its actually easy if at home, just use a mug. If someone goes out, use a reusable container and if its fancy it gives them a chance to flex. This implies making coffee at home instead of buying out. However if coffee is homemade, grounds can be used for compost (with acidic balanced) 

  • Domonique Williams's avatar
    Domonique Williams 4/15/2019 9:06 PM
    I had to time myself, I was kind of rushing to do this only because I didn't want to exceed 5 minutes. Determination!!