Ecochallenge.org

2018 People's Ecochallenge

October 3 - October 24, 2018

Bethany Gangestad-Birk

Ability Building Center

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
784 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

300

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

150

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

435

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

1,380

minutes

not spent in front of a screen

Bethany's actions

Waste

Go Paperless

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by opting into paperless billing and ending unwanted subscriptions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Support Local Pollinators

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 60 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Less Screen Time

I will replace 45 minute(s) of screen time each day with other activities.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Spend Time Outside

I will replace 30 minute(s) each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Audit Toxic Cleaning Products in my Home

I will spend 45 minutes researching toxic chemicals found in cleaning supplies and personal care products and remove them from my home.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Improve a Bus Stop

I will improve a bus stop in my neighborhood by posting the stop schedule, adding seating or shelter, adding art or flowers, picking up litter, or some other small improvement.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Support Native Communities

I will use the resource links provided and spend 45 minutes learning about the native populations that lived in my area prior to colonization, and what I can do to support those that still exist.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Explore My Area

I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Happiness

I will write down three things every day that I am grateful for, or send one email every day thanking or praising someone.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Exercise Daily

Exercise is a great stress blaster! I will exercise for 30 minute(s) each day.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Go get a check up

I will make an appointment for my annual physical.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

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?

Bethany Gangestad-Birk 10/21/2018 8:38 PM

3 things I am grateful for today:
1) enjoying fall activities with good friends.
2) the car gods/ my moms boyfriend for making sure my car doesn’t break down constantly.
3) getting in a good cry.

Read More
Bethany Gangestad-Birk 10/19/2018 6:07 AM

3 things I am grateful for 10/18:
1) medication!!!!
2) productive and collaborative meetings.
3) new restaurants/bars opening that provide a whole vegetarian/vegan menu! (Check out Buffalo Bar downtown between the Half Barrel and Taphouse)

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Use Reusable Bags

What do you do if you find yourself in the situation of needing a bag for items but don't have a reuseable one with you? Carry things out in your hands? In a cart? Accept a disposable one? If you find yourself in this position often, what system could you put in place to try to establish this a successful habit?

Bethany Gangestad-Birk 10/19/2018 6:05 AM

For a long time I would keep all of my reusable bags in my car and completely forget to bring them in... for a LONG time.
I've gotten a lot better lately, but if that scenario happens I either have my brother (who I am generally with) run to the car to get them, in the case that we have a lot of groceries. Or we just carry them if we don't have much.
I think adding it to the mental checklist before leaving the car would help. "Okay, I have my keys, my phone, my wallet, AND my reusable bag. I'm good to go."

Read More
Bethany Gangestad-Birk 10/18/2018 7:02 PM

my brother and I got a chance to use our reusable produce bags tonight!!!
Would recommend!!

Read More
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?

Bethany Gangestad-Birk 10/17/2018 6:30 AM

I had thought I had completed this last EcoChallenge, until I received a bank statement in the mail last night. Had to stop that real quick.

After stopping that statement, I really don't receive paper mail anymore. It's absolutely freeing because 1) I never have to check the mailbox. 2) I'm not wasting paper that I did not need or want to keep anyway!

The next step I will take is sending celebratory cards online instead of through the mail. Let's be real, who keeps cards these days anyway?

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Explore My Area

How can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place?

Bethany Gangestad-Birk 10/17/2018 6:21 AM

It can be a grounding experience. No matter what is going on in your world personally, the great outdoors are still there, moving along. You can go outside and look at the leaves, feel the wind, jump because you saw a snake by your foot (don't know that from personal experience of anything).. You can notice every single detail and intricacy that the natural world has to offer and just feel free.

Read More
Bethany Gangestad-Birk 10/16/2018 6:31 PM

Haven’t done one of these is a hot minute.. 3 things I am grateful for today:
1) people caring enough to answer all of the ridiculous questions I have.
2) being able to get out of bed in the morning.
3) the motivation and time to get things done. No matter how small the task.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Go get a check up

How do you practice self care?

Bethany Gangestad-Birk 10/11/2018 12:31 PM

Real talk time: self care has not been a priority for me lately, even though it always should be.
I'm rediscovering what I need to do to practice self care by relearning about my personal needs. Whether it be focusing and maintaining a vigorous exercise schedule, watching my nutrients or taking a break when I really need it.

Also, I've been avoiding doctors since I moved to Rochester (ironic, right?) so the annual check up challenge really pushed me to realize that I do need to focus on myself and practice many different types of self care, including going to the doctor regularly!

Take care of yourselves folx!!!

Read More
Bethany Gangestad-Birk 10/10/2018 8:33 PM

3 things I am grateful for today:
1) 60 degree weather on an October morning.
2) being part of an open, caring community.
3) new music recommendations.

Read More
Bethany Gangestad-Birk 10/10/2018 6:17 AM

3 things I was grateful for on 10/9:
1) Getting to eat 3 good, healthy meals.
2) Putting sweatpants on after a long day.
3) The kindness & continuous help from friends (Thanks Emily and Hannah for helping me cut out Banquet tickets!!!!!!!!)

Read More