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Megan Young (102)'s avatar

Megan Young (102)

YCP Spring 2025

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 241 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    2.0
    locally sourced meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    1.0
    mile
    traveled by foot
  • UP TO
    1.0
    mile
    not traveled by car
  • UP TO
    30
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    30
    minutes
    being mindful
  • UP TO
    40
    minutes
    not spent in front of a screen
  • UP TO
    6.0
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    10
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    6.0
    plastic straws
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    6.0
    minutes
    spent learning

Megan's actions

Simplicity

Less Screen Time

I will replace 27 minute(s) of screen time each day with other activities.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Waste

RESEARCH LOCAL WASTE SITES

I will spend 5 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

I will avoid sending 10 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY 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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 10 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Locally-Sourced Meals

I will source 3 meal(s) each day from local producers.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Stay on the Ground

Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Choose a Carbon Offset

If buying a plane ticket, I will also buy a carbon offset.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Skip the Straw

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 6 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Simplicity

Meditate

I will meditate or create a moment of silence for 10 minute(s) each day to reflect on things important to me.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Simplicity

Needs Vs. Wants

I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Meet My Local Farmers

I will visit my nearest farm to find out who produces my food, and will learn about the quality of life of those around the world who produce my food in order to make better choices when I shop.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Eat Mindfully

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Plant an Herb Garden

I will plant an herb garden in my home, workplace, or dorm room.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Visit A Local Farm

I will visit a nearby farm to pick my own fruits and veggies.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Limit Social Media

I will limit my social media use to once each day reducing my daily use by 29 minute(s)

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Transportation

Walk Instead

I will walk 1 mile(s) each day instead of driving and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Advocate for More Food Options

I will advocate for local and/or organic food options at work or on campus.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Try a New Way to Prep

I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Transportation
    What was your process like for restructuring your trip? How can you avoid more air travel in the future?

    Megan Young (102)'s avatar
    Megan Young (102) 4/22/2025 1:27 PM
    Planning more road trips would help with this. Adding an extra day to the trip to drive will help.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Transportation
    In what ways can you advocate for transportation systems which minimize environmental impact while also meeting human needs?

    Megan Young (102)'s avatar
    Megan Young (102) 4/22/2025 1:26 PM
    I would advocate for cleaner bus stops. There isn't much we can do about the impact of the actual bus. However, we can keep the stops cleaner to reduce impact.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    Consider the ways you can garden: a plot of land? a patio container? hanging basket? windowsill gardens? What would work best for your living situation and lifestyle?

    Megan Young (102)'s avatar
    Megan Young (102) 4/22/2025 1:25 PM
    I used a raised garden bed. This works best for me because it keeps the bunnies out and gets a lot of sun.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste
    While water bottles are needed for health and safety in certain places, we can do more to reduce the unnecessary use of them. What are the barriers to you using reusable bottles and tap water instead of bottled water? How could you make this a permanent habit?

    Megan Young (102)'s avatar
    Megan Young (102) 4/22/2025 1:22 PM
    I forget to fill up my water before I leave and end up just buying water. I could prefil several water bottles to prevent this.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity
    How is creativity a necessary ingredient for practicing simplicity?

    Megan Young (102)'s avatar
    Megan Young (102) 4/22/2025 1:21 PM
    It's important to try to make use of things you have. Buying a new outfit might be fun, but resusing clothes you have is just as efficient.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity
    What would you like to invest more time in reflecting on?

    Megan Young (102)'s avatar
    Megan Young (102) 4/22/2025 1:20 PM
    I would like to spend more time reflecting on my anxiety throughout the day.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity
    What did you notice in implementing this challenge? Was it hard to choose other activities over screen time? How did you decide to spend your time?

    Megan Young (102)'s avatar
    Megan Young (102) 4/22/2025 1:18 PM
    I had a hard time choosing other activities over screen time. I feel like screen time is such an easy way to turn my brain off. I ended up reading a lot more this week to unwind.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity
    Social media can keep us connected with loved ones, make us laugh, and help us to learn new things. It can also create echo chambers and take more time than we realize or intend to give. After completing this action for a few days, how do you feel? What do you notice?

    Megan Young (102)'s avatar
    Megan Young (102) 4/22/2025 1:17 PM
    Inititally, I felt a lot of isolation and FOMO. After a few days, I felt more focused and reached for my phone less.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity
    Mindful eating is healthier for us than eating with distractions. How do your eating experiences differ when practicing mindfulness?

    Megan Young (102)'s avatar
    Megan Young (102) 4/22/2025 1:16 PM
    I eat a lot faster when I eat without distractions. I also tend to finish my food less and not focus on eatting.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    If you were to only eat what is in season locally from now on, what would be the most difficult food item for you to give up? Why?

    Megan Young (102)'s avatar
    Megan Young (102) 4/22/2025 1:14 PM
    I would have the hardest time giving up bananas. I eat them as a quick grab-and-go snack and rely on their nutrients.