Nura Salah

This challenge made me realize how easy it is to overlook nature even when it’s right in front of us. Taking the time to notice and learn about the plants around me made me feel more connected to the environment. It also helped me understand why learning about native plants is important for local ecosystems and sustainability. One challenge, thought, was realizing how little I actually knew about the plants I see all the time, but that also made the experience more interesting because it pushed me to learn more. This week reminded me that connecting with nature doesn’t always require going somewhere far away, that it can start with simply paying attention to the environment around you and learning more about the plants and ecosystems that are part of your everyday life.

One big area this showed up was with books. I love going to bookstores, and most of the time I can’t leave without purchasing something. This week, instead of buying new books, I spent more time at the library and borrowed what I wanted to read. It was a simple shift, but it made me realize how automatic my consumer habits can be. Choosing the library still let me enjoy reading without contributing to more production, packaging, and waste. Making lists and sticking to them also helped me avoid impulse spending. It felt good to try and be more intentional.

This challenge also helped me to think more deeply about how transportation choices connect to sustainability. Even though I already bus and walk regularly, I realized that being intentional about it matters. Walking more not only reduces emissions but also helped me feel more grounded and aware of my surroundings. One challenge was adjusting to longer travel times and unpredictable bus schedules, especially on busy days. However, the rewards of saving money, getting more physical activity, and knowing I was contributing to lower carbon emissions were helpful. I also started walking more for pleasure rather than as a necessity. It can be difficult not to wonder how much faster driving would get me somewhere if all I'm focused on is my destination. Learning to enjoy the scenery and seeing walking as a chance to decompress was very beneficial. It became something to look forward to rather than an inconvenience.

One obstacle was definitely time -- it’s much easier to send a quick text than sit down and write a thoughtful note. But the slowness ended up being the best part. It forced me to be present and sit with my thoughts a lot more. It felt like I was playing an active role in my community and strengthening that connection. I also got to hear from people I hadn't seen in a while, and was reminded how important fostering those interpersonal relationships are and that effort given for the sake of others, is a reward in and of itself.

This week made me more conscious of how automatic my water use usually is, and reminded me of the discussions I’ve had with classmates about how our everyday habits contribute largely to our environmental impacts. One challenge was catching myself in those moments before the water had already been wasted, especially on days where I was busy and less focused on my goal. However, as the week went on I did begin to feel more aware of my actions and conscious of my choices and their impact.

As the week went on, I noticed added benefits related to sustainability and anti-consumerism. By using the groceries I already had, I produced significantly less food waste and avoided unnecessary purchases, which made me more aware of how overconsumption plays a role in environmental harm. This approach also helped me spend less money because I was actually using what I bought instead of replacing spoiled food. One challenge was finding the time to cook consistently, but it pushed me to be more intentional and creative with meals. This week also showed me that reducing food waste through mindful food choices is a realistic way to support sustainability and I can build habits that positively affect other parts of my life..

One obstacle I faced was remembering to bring my reusable items with me on busy days. However, once I got into the habit, it became easier. A benefit I noticed was that by trying to produce less trash, by the end of the week I felt more aligned with my values around sustainability. Which goes to show the larger benefits of small intentional efforts