Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change-5 Final Review & Reflection

My SMART goal was to completely cut out the use of paper toweling in my home, and to reduce the amount of toilet paper I use as well. In this past week I did experience success with not using paper toweling, because there was none in the house, so there was none to use. It was helpful with the out of sight out of mind motto. I also experienced success with cutting down the amount of toilet paper I use, and just using what I need, and not taking more then just because I could. I did this by placing a small "t" on my hand to remember to count each time I went to grab toilet paper. I had my overall lowest average, so that was exciting!
This past week I didn't face any challenged regarding using paper toweling since I didn't have access to any at home. I always used old t-shirts as rags that were kept in the kitchen. I did face a bit of a challenge with the toilet paper. When I am at school especially there isn't little squares to count, so I had to estimate the amount I used, which isn't going to be 100% accurate to my count, but it will be close as I do have a good idea on what 7 squares looks like to compare it to.
My feelings after this week are accomplished and successful. I am proud of not using paper toweling, and always being aware of the amount of toilet paper I use. I feel like I am doing good when I only use what I really need verses take extra just because it is there. In a small way I feel like I am helping everyone by doing this. I am also proud when I do this as I feel like I am really changing some of my habits.
This past week I learned that if you really want to change you can, you just have to be willing to. Also, I learned that it is easy to save on toilet paper, and you don't always need as much as you think you do. It's a simple saving technique to try.
My plans for next week and the future are to continue to not use paper toweling at all in my house, and to help share and embrace this idea with my friends, as it is a simple thing to do. I will continue to do this for now on. I am always going to continually only use the exact amount of toilet paper that I actually need instead of just taking more then for no reason. I will not modify my goals for the future.
Average Number of Bathroom Use: 6.3 times a day
Average Number of Toilet Paper Squares: 6.2 (this is a record low for me!

My SMART goal did not change throughout the process. I started with wanting to stop using paper toweling and instead make my own rags (through old t-shirts) and to cut down on the amount of toilet paper I use. This stayed consistent every week.
I found my success was from not buying anymore paper toweling, so I would not even be tempted to use it. I also found it helpful to put a little "t" on my hand in the beginning to remember to think of the toilet paper I was using, and from doing this it eventually just became a habit. I did face a challenge when my roommates would buy paper toweling when we didn't need it. In the future I will just remind them more often, and have them help me cut rags so they can see we really do have them.
I believe I benefitted a lot from this project. I changed simple habits that I had never really thought of before. I believe that now in the long run I am more aware of my simple everyday actions. I am also really helping to save on paper products. I learned that it's easy to reuse and find different uses for many things that are just laying around the house.
My roommates benefited from this as well, because they have not bought paper toweling as much, and are using the rags to clean and do dishes now, which is awesome. We are also going through a lot less toilet paper as a whole house as well.
I will continue with this new behavior and habits of mine as it is a good feeling to know I am helping and it's simple to do as well!
I recomend this idea to everyone, it is simple to take old shirts and make rags, and you will also be saving money by not buying paper toweling as well. Also, you do not need as much toilet paper as you may think you do!
Overall, it was a great project and I am glad I participated in it, and in the end I changed some bad habits of mine!

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change #4

My SMART goal is to fully stop using paper toweling in my everyday life, and to cut down as I become more aware of the amount of toilet paper I use on a daily basis also. This week was a bit of a slip when it came to maintaining my goal. My roommate went out and bought paper toweling, and I remember spilling my milk, and then going to grab the paper toweling as it was right there. Then, after I had used it I thought to myself "Lindsay, what are you using?" It was just so instinctive, because it was right there. However, I did a good job with counting the amount of toilet paper I use each time I use the bathroom, which was a bit of a challenge last week. I was successful with remembering to count the amount of toilet paper I used each time by the "t" on my hand, which I eventually hope to stop doing that, but that is how I remained success with that. 

My challenges came about with the paper toweling, I know that I cut up old t-shirts, and turned them into rags, but I can't get my roommates to be on the same page with me with that. I did talk to her though and she said she wouldn't buy it anymore, so hopefully she will not. Hopefully the whole out of sight out of mind concept will work for both of us here. 

I felt like a cheater, and like I betrayed a promise or something when I caught myself using the paper toweling. Even though I wasn't breaking a law or anything I still felt guilty after I did it. I was also disapoited in myself for resorting to using paper toweling, because I was doing so well without it. However, everytime I recorded my toilet paper use I felt excited for myself in remembering to do so, and my averages went down, which was a good feeling as well.

This week I learned that it is harder then you think to change a behavior. And that just because I thought I was changed and would never use paper toweling again I was wrong. I think this little set back helped me to really see the big picture, and always just be aware of what I am doing. 

My plan for next week is to not use paper toweling at all. My roommate and I cut up more old t-shirts, and hand washed the ones we had been using so we are both going to use those. She is also not going to buy anymore paper toweling. I will continue with the behaviors I am working with, and try to remember everytime I use the bathroom to record it so my data stays accurate.

Average Number of Bathroom Use: 6.2 times per day (this is something I really can't change)

Average Number of Squared: 6.9 squares per use (down from last week, which is always my goal to reduce my average every week!)

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 3

My SMART goal was to reduce the amount of toilet paper and paper toweling I use on a daily basis and in my home. I did a good job at achieving this goal this past week. I am proud to say that I did not use any paper toweling, but instead used old T-shirts to clean up spills and other minor cleaning. There is actually no more in our house, and I do not plan on buying anymore either. I also did better with less amounts of toilet paper use. I thought of this everytime I went to the restroom.
 I found success with cutting down the amount. My strategy was again to write a little "t" on my hand for toweling to always remember to count when I reach my hand out to grab the toilet paper. However, it was challenging at times when I was not at home to use a limited amount of toilet paper. I always count the squares, but when I am at school there is not squares, so it is hard to know the exact amount I am using.
I felt really good about myself and my behavior for this past week. It was a good feeling to not use paper toweling and to know I am helping to preserve a tree, and not only was I changing but it was forcing my roommates to as well. It was rewarding to know I am not only benefitting myself, but others actually. I am excited to continue by behavior change, and to see how far I can really go with this. Everytime I used the bathroom or cleaned a spill I felt this rewarding feeling.
I learned this week that if someone really wants to change that they will. Also, that it is easy to change if you are willing to, and it's a lot easier with a little effort.
Next week I am going to tell more people (my teammates) about the old t shirt idea as we have a ton after cleaning out our locker room, and instill the idea on their heads and hope that they listen to what I say and try it! I will continue to write the "t" on my hand and count the number of squares. I am also going to measure it out, to get a better idea of the exact length to compare it to when I am in a public place with no precise squares to count. My goal is still to get down below 5 squares. However, I know this will be challenging to do, but I am going to continue to work at it.
Average Number of restroom Use: 5 times daily
Average Number of squares: 7.5 squares (this is still way to high).

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 2

My SMART goal was to not buy any paper toweling and instead cut up old t-shirts, or find rags to use for cleaning, or other around the house chores, and to cut down the amount of toilet paper I use while using the restroom. I did start to obtain my goal. I took all of the paper toweling we had in the house and hid it in the closet, and took old shirts and turned them into rags. I have been using those to dry the dishes, and clean up spills around the house. I also have become more aware of the amount of toilet paper I am using. I have started to count the number of squares. I always am aware of this now when using the restroom. I have found that I use to use way more then was actually necessary (I won't get into too much deal with that though). I did have success with the the reusable wash cloth idea, and didn't find any challenges with that, it was actually pretty easy to do! I was better most of the time with reducing the amount of toilet paper I used, but it was challenging to think about it everytime. I found that by having this goal that it helps me be more cautious of my actions, and actually think of other things I can do on a daily basis to help change some of my bad habits. I actually wrote on my hand "toilet paper" so everything I go to use the bathroom, and reach for toilet paper I see it, so that will help me remember to only use what is necessary. I found it rewarding to actually know that I am helping out our earth, even though it is minor I figure that every little thing I can do helps! This week I learned that I can't just change overnight, but if I really want to put in the effort then I will be able to change a lot of my habits. My plan for next week is to count the number of squares I use everytime I go to the bathroom for a starting point, and then with the following weeks to try and reduce that number everytime. I will continue with my goal as it is, and just try to be more accurate everytime I am in the bathroom. I am excited to see my results! I have started a tally mark for everytime I use the bathroom and the number of sheets I use each time. My total for this past week's average was; Bathroom Use: 5 times daily, Sheets of toilet paper: 8 times per use. I think this is ok for the first calculations, but I want to cut down the number by each week.

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 1- My SMART Goal

There are many behaviors I possess that I really want to change to help preserve our resources. However, I decided that my SMART goal is going to be using less toilet paper, and using wash clothes instead of paper toweling to clean. This is very eco friendly, because it will really cut down on paper use and the killing of trees. I do tend to go through a lot of these two products without even realizing that I do it. This is important to me, because I really do want to become more conscious of ways I can help our world. Also, as I said I never realize how much I really do use until after the after math. I want to do my part in helping our world! I went to the store tonight and did not even buy paper toweling, but instead I got wash cloths which I will begin using the next time I go to reach for the paper toweling in the cupboard. I also bought less toilet paper for our house, and told me roommates we have to make this last. I also have begun to count the number of squares I use..this could get interesting!

Toilet Paper Count:
I am starting off with 6 rolls just for myself, and will be counting each time I use the restroom. I am going to try and make these rolls last as long as possible. I will also be saving a lot of money by this method, and by using wash cloths from now on. I am excited to see where I can go with new behavior!

Lindsay's Loving Land

Welcome to my blog!

My name is Lindsay, a junior at UMD enrolled in the class HLTH 3500, which focuses on the importance of cutting down our resources and preserving the earth! The focus of my blog is to learn and discuss ways we can all go green and help the earth we live in! There are many simple everyday behaviors we can change and work on to not only help ourself, but everyone else around us as well! I know for me personally I am very health conscious, but there is still many things I can work on!

My blog will contain these types of posts:

1.  Advocacy Project
2.  Eye Opener
3.  Reflection
4.  Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change
5. Share and Voice

The members in my web group are:

1.  Sierra W@See-Air-Ah
2. Dr. V/Kristen@Enviro Surfing with Amy and Kristin
3.  Chnice@Eco Summit With Chnice
4. Duzong@Duzong's Treehouse

This is the beginning of making life style changes to help our earth, and also a great way to find out different ways my fellow classmates are making changes as well. I believe if we all work together we can really make a difference!