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October 2 - October 23, 2019
Manuel Jara Perez's avatar

Manuel Jara Perez

Walter P Moore - East Coast

"Keep it greener"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,052 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    440
    minutes
    not spent in front of a screen
  • UP TO
    110
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    380
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    420
    minutes
    of additional sleep
  • UP TO
    440
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    70
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved

Manuel's actions

Simplicity

Research My Investment Portfolio

I will find out what stocks and bonds are in my investment account portfolio to determine if they align with my values (e.g. environmental, social responsibility, community).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Track my Purchases

I will spend 10 minutes each day maintaining a record of all my purchases and learning about my spending habits.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Switch to Cold Water

I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 1,600 lbs of CO2 over the course of the next year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Healthy Sleep

Effectively working for sustainability requires self care! I will commit to getting 30 more minute(s) of sleep each night to achieve at least 7 hours per night.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

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 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

5-Minute Showers

I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Take Control

Both systemic and personal sustainability are important! I will develop a plan with my medical professionals to achieve my best health and live my life to the fullest.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Spend Time Outside

I will replace 20 minute(s) each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.

COMPLETED 0
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?

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity Research My Investment Portfolio
    In what ways can you increase the positive impacts and decrease the negative impacts of your financial investments?

    Manuel Jara Perez's avatar
    Manuel Jara Perez 10/23/2019 4:07 PM
    Reaching out. By being thoroughly invested in the type of financial investments I make and letting other people know about them reaching out to the financial service might be worth the effort if the chain reaction is large
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health Take Control
    How do environmental health, community health, and your personal health intersect?

    Manuel Jara Perez's avatar
    Manuel Jara Perez 10/23/2019 8:48 AM
    They intersect continuously. The environment (both natural and community) impact one's state of mind. People are social beings who are affected by whatever happens in their surroundings. For example, our mood changes depending on the weather and the type of people we surround ourseleves. As such, keeping a good perspective on whatever path we take does not solely rely on our drive to accomplish our daily goals, but also on the external factors that can fuel or decrease that drive.

  • Manuel Jara Perez's avatar
    Manuel Jara Perez 10/22/2019 6:23 AM
    I have come to the realization that recently I have been more mindful about my eating habits and the products I use to cook and consume in general. Finding new recipes for healthier meal options utilizing fresher produce, which in turn impacts my energy levels and the way I feel. I am a strong believer that with a healthier lifestyle a fuller life can be carried without necessarily leaving some guilty pleasures out

  • Manuel Jara Perez's avatar
    Manuel Jara Perez 10/11/2019 11:11 AM
    Although exercising daily is not in my challenges, I try to do it at least every weekday and sometimes over the weekends. It energizes me, sets the tone for the rest of my day, and helps me stay focused, which is needed to not only do my work but also pay attention and work for the causes that I care about (like the environment!). Today was pretty difficult to do it, but I am glad I did! I am ready to check my challenges off and keep on incorporating these sustainable practices into my daily life.  Do you have other ways to stay focused?

  • Manuel Jara Perez's avatar
    Manuel Jara Perez 10/09/2019 6:04 AM
    I joined the challenge because it is a fun way to learn more about sustainable practices, and even daily habits that I wanted to improve on. For example, 5-minute showers have been a great way to not only save water, but also keep myself in check during my morning routine! Now I can get to work a little earlier and sometimes beat rush hour, or sometimes catch a little more sleep too :) . Have you noticed any other advantages from completing your challenges?
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Energy Switch to Cold Water
    What do you plan to do with the money you save from making more energy efficient choices?

    Manuel Jara Perez's avatar
    Manuel Jara Perez 10/07/2019 6:45 AM
    Since I started tracking my expenses I have realized that sometimes I am spending it in more superficial or unnecessary things. As such, I will probably save it or look for a place/cause to invest it. Perhaps having a goal to aim to will help on this regard. Do you have any suggestions?

    • Mia Jimenez's avatar
      Mia Jimenez 10/08/2019 5:21 AM
      Invest in the things you care about! NPR is also a great cause ;)
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity Track my Purchases
    What have you noticed about your purchases? Where are you inclined to make shifts, if any?

    Manuel Jara Perez's avatar
    Manuel Jara Perez 10/04/2019 11:36 AM
    I have noticed that I spend more money on sometimes superfluous things and that I am more driven by my wants than by my needs. Having said that, I know that I need to make shifts accordingly to manage my money better so I can spend it in more worthwhile experiences that will allow me to grow better personally
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health Healthy Sleep
    Consider how many hours of sleep you get now. How would you like to shift your sleep patterns? What are you finding works for you to be successful in this action?

    Manuel Jara Perez's avatar
    Manuel Jara Perez 10/03/2019 6:11 AM
    I typically average 4-6 hours of sleep/day. Aiming for at least 7 would be a huge improvement on my sleeping patterns, which I have been meaning to work on for a while now. Being a little more mindful about my time, not prioritizing non-pressing tasks, and having dinner earlier than I typically do are key ways for me to achieve more sleep and hopefully be even more energetic throughout the day. What are your ways to achieve a good night's sleep?
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Nature Spend Time Outside
    Rachel Carson said that we need the beauty and mysteries of the natural world for our spiritual and emotional development. Does that ring true for you? What are the implications for a culture that spends most of its time indoors?

    Manuel Jara Perez's avatar
    Manuel Jara Perez 10/02/2019 9:48 AM
    I think it holds a great degree of truth. By spending most of the day inside we miss out on beauties that we often take for granted, whether it is a breath of fresh air or some sunshine. I believe it has been proven that for people who spends more time outside, the level of productivity increases. It is always good to take a break to remain focused on our daily tasks, even if it is a 30-minute lunch break outside enjoying some friendly conversation
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Water 5-Minute Showers
    Five minute showers are an impressive step toward reducing your water footprint. What is the next step you can take?

    Manuel Jara Perez's avatar
    Manuel Jara Perez 10/02/2019 6:03 AM
    Evaluate the amount of water used by washing dishes by hand and using the dishwasher, and compare. Sometimes, the use of a dishwasher may not be warranted