Mitzi Sugar

On one hand, I'm bummed that today was the last day of the EcoChallenge, but on the other hand, I'm excited and inspired by the new habits and momentum that's been generated (worldwide!) by this challenge. Pretty cool to have joined over 12,000 people all around the world to engage in positive actions to improve our environment, our community, and ourselves.  So proud of all the great things that team Inclusion accomplished over the last two weeks!!
 
Lessons I learned:
- It's SO much easier to just sit all day, but it's really not that hard to squeeze a 20-minute walk into my daily routine as long as I make a conscious effort to do so
- I really have way more stuff than I need, and I want to commit to continuing to de-clutter and simplify my life
- Small actions really do build over time and have a big impact
- There are many ways to make a difference
- Sometimes the biggest barrier is thinking that something will be harder to implement than it actually is.  Just try something new, and it might be easier than you think!

OK, I waited till the 11th hour but finally completed my one-time challenge to reduce unwanted mail. I've collected the junk mail that I received during the two-week EcoChallenge and tonight I created an account with CatalogChoice, a sort-of one-stop-shop for managing catalog and junk mail opt-out preferences. (FYI, this website is managed by the fine people at The Story of Stuff Project.)

It was really easy to create an account, and now every time I get an unwanted catalog in the mail, I can log on and opt out. They even give you a dashboard where you can track what you've opted out of, and when. I can't wait to stop getting these dang RedPlum ads!! If anyone else wants to tackle their junk mail, check out the website:
CatalogChoice.org

Made some more progress on my de-cluttering goal by selling some excess clothes and shoes to a secondhand store on Hawthorne. (Another 2 bags of clothes will be donated to Goodwill.) 
Enjoying a movie tonight, which I can feel extra good about because I achieved my exercise goal by walking to the movie theater instead of driving. :)

Another successful day of de-cluttering. Gathered up some excess bedsheets, towels, dishes, and other household goods, and donated them to the Community Warehouse. So glad those things will be able to fulfill their destiny and be put to good use, instead of just cluttering up my cupboards! 

Really tackling my big de-clutter project this weekend!! Spent all morning sorting through stuff in the basement. Took a box of DVDs and records to Music Millennium and got $27 in store credit! What they didn't buy, plus a trunkful of other stuff, got donated to Goodwill. Feels good to get rid of stuff I'm not using!

When life gets busy (or you feel under the weather), keeping up with the challenges is more difficult.  But I'm still managing to do something every day, and that feels good.  Planning to tackle the BIG de-clutter project some more this weekend.

Ugh. Day 2 of the "De-Clutter Your Home" challenge - this was clearly a good choice for me. Just found all my Inclusion pay stubs from 2006-2010. Thank you, Inclusion, for switching to paperless pay stubs years ago, otherwise I'd be in big trouble! Tackling the de-clutter challenge a little bit each day is making it more manageable. Time to read the next chapter of "Voluntary Simplicity" for inspiration. More to accomplish tomorrow!

I took an after-lunch break and went for a walk around the neighborhood - it was a great way to clear my mind and think about the tasks I want to accomplish for the rest of the afternoon.  I also enjoyed seeing the fall colors and the squirrels, and met a friendly cat along the way. :)  Yay for my first EcoChallenge accomplishment!