Jaylen Schmitt

This challenge has been rewarding and inspiring in many ways. The easiest and most consistent action was the most tangible one - turning off my computer each night instead of simply putting it to sleep. I only missed one night and that is because my husband had turned it on and used it and I hadn't so didn't know it needed to be turned off. Still, I'd say this habit is here to stay. I didn't choose turning lights off as a challenge because we do it fairly regularly in our house but turning the computer off has made me more vigilant about lights getting turned off when no one is in the room. The most difficult challenge was getting additional minutes of sleep each night. 90 minutes is a lot and getting to bed before 11:30 turns out to be quite difficult for me although I would really love to. I will continue to work on that one though - EcoChallenge or not! I chose to focus on my health in this EcoChallenge in 2 other ways - making an annual physical appointment (which I did today finally! - gotta love deadlines) and by practicing gratefulness. I didn't necessarily write 3 things I am grateful for each day but I got pretty close. Again, this is a practice I will continue - to be mindful of and grateful for those I know, that which I've experienced and the incredible elements that make up this world. And to speak my gratefulness as well. 

I always put my computer to sleep when not using it but often I leave the power on overnight for days in a row. Sometimes I don't sit at the computer for a day and instead access my email on my phone. I realize what a waste of electricity this is. I will turn the power off on my computer each night and power it back on only when I am actually going to spend time at it.