March 29, 2012
A Jumpstart on Less Luxuries
Yesterday my phone died; not the kind of died that can be remedied with a quick charge or the switching of a battery. Sadly this is the kind of dead that means my little electronic will be going to the great phone charger in the sky. The loss of my phone is rather timely actually, as I am starting in on my experiment “ A Few Less Luxuries” this coming week. This experiment is to attempt cutting out some of my favorite luxuries and see if I can go a week without breaking my own stipulations. Losing my phone now has given me a head start on learning about myself, and my dependence on frivolous luxuries and the amount waste I produce.
Just as I was about to throw my phone out; I wondered what kind of impact it would make in the landfill. So I goggled it. I learned 65 million tons of old phones are thrown away in the U.S. every year. This clogs our landfills with ingredients such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and flame-retarding chemicals. It is scary, because despite best efforts to contain these chemicals, there are instances where they seep into underground water supplies. Yikes! Fortunately for me, (and you) there are recycling options that will deal with these dangerous ingredients (which I plan on using). I am beginning to realize how much waste I have been creating my whole life with out a second thought for the environment. So for my experiment I am really looking forward to living more sustainably and leaving less of a carbon footprint.
While the physical affects that my dead phone will have on the environment are rather scary, I find my reaction to its absence rather disconcerting as well. Today I found myself automatically reaching for my phone as I left a building or wanted to know the time. Every time I did, I remembered my phone was dead. And every time I realized it is dead I was annoyed, but I also became slightly panicky- I feel somewhat as if my connection to the world is gone. I cannot reach my mom at anytime; I cannot text my friends or make plans. Even just walking out of my room today without my phone felt strange, as if I had forgotten my pants!
If losing the use of my phone has opened my eyes to my clingy dependence to the luxury of easy communication, then giving up some of my other luxury items (voluntarily) this week, should be an avalanche of enlightenment. Below are the luxuries that I have decided to cut out. After seeing how difficult it is to live without my phone, I am concerned that this week may prove more challenging then I first thought.
A Little Less Luxuries: The Rules.
Transportation
Being at school I tend to use Public transportation quite a bit, but I would like to reduce my carbon print as much as possible. Therefore, I have decided to only use one type of transportation, and that is the Metro. I will not use the AU shuttle, buses, bikes or taxis. I feel like this will be a challenge because I use the shuttle almost everyday and I use buses at least once a week. I will have to walk if I want to get off the metro map.
Food
I love food! It is something that I tend to spend more money on then I really need to. So I have decided to not buy any food during this project and live off my TDR meal swipes because last semester I did not use nearly as many as I should have. I will not buy groceries or snack foods, to often I buy these on a whim without thinking about what I am eating. To really be aware of what I am eating I am also going to try my hand at being a vegetarian during the day and only eat meat once a day at dinner My boyfriend I go out to eat a lot, so I am taking restaurants off the table for date night, this will save us money and give us the opportunity to go try other things.
Consumerism
I like to buy things; I do not buy a lot, but I am guilty of buying frivolous things like candy, sodas, tickets, and clothes. With spring coming it is easy for me to see things like shoes and shorts and decide that I need them, when I really have plenty in my wardrobe to get me through the season. So this week I will restrain myself from shopping and I will not buy anything from stores. This will be difficult since my roommate loves to go shopping and I am always willing to tag along.
Technology
I love my computer, I spend way to much time on it; I spend hours upon hours perusing my Facebook and viewing silly videos on you tube. So, for the duration of this project I will not be using the Internet unless it is for checking my emails and blackboard or doing research. I will also be not use my phone for texting, I will only call when absolutely necessary (like to arrange meetings).
Positive Impact/Political Action
Being outdoors has always been a huge part of my life. So when I see trash and debris in nature it is upsetting. Seeing how the environment is treated it makes me sad. So for the duration of this project, and perhaps longer I will go down to Rock Creek Park and surrounding areas twice a week to pick up trash. I will invite my friends down there to help out. Also I plan on researching the amount of energy I use in one week and figure out the cost; then work it off with community service (using minimum wage as my gage).
Health & Happiness:
Between the distractions of a dorm life, activities and schoolwork it can be hard to make the time to take care of myself and stay in touch with the people who are important to me. I love being outdoors, and there are people that I love very much but have fallen out of touch with. To make myself happier, I am going to go for a run or walk every day for at least thirty minutes and I will write and mail a letter to those who have not heard from me in a while.
