I like the idea of doing a year-long project. It sounds like a fun undertaking and seems like it can be a really transformative experience. This type of project takes a large goal and breaks it down into bite sized pieces, each of which can be focused on in-depth. I like the structure of this type of project, and the potential magnitude of the results, but never found one that really called me to action.

I have thought about doing a Happiness Project because I’m a complete Fan Girl of Gretchen Rubin’s and love all her books and philosophy, except I feel pretty (super) happy with my life already. I have considered doing a photo-a-day project, and have actually started a couple of times, but inevitably something happens (I get sick, totally space out, have a work trip, etc.) and I miss a day or so. Then the whole point is shot and I scrap the plan. Plus I take an insane amount of pictures already so having extras just for the sake of saying I took a photo every day seems kind of clutter-y, and like something I’ll have to clean up later.

Then, a few days ago, I saw a post come across my Instagram feed from SHE Changes Everything. It was asking people to commit to moving 5 minutes a day, everyday in the month of May. Immediately, the light bulb went off. I’m trying to live a more sustainable life, so why not make this my project.

Enter the Sustainable Living Challenge

There are so many aspects to sustainable living:

• Environmental – conserving and reusing resources, reducing carbon emissions, creating less waste, encouraging and protecting wildlife;
• Social – developing a stronger community, volunteering for causes that increase social justice, treating all communities fair and equitably; and
• Economic – buying brands that have/follow sustainable values, supporting local businesses and artisans, living wages for all, and so on.

…that it can be difficult to know where to start. With all the different pieces that contribute to the overall sustainable picture, it can feel daunting to commit to a sustainable lifestyle. How does someone make the commitment and know what’s important, what to work on, and what to do next?

All of this sparked my desire to create the Sustainable Living Challenge. I have decided that every month for the next year I will have a particular focus, or mission, to work on. They will range from specific (like moving every day), to broader ideas that can be tackled in many ways (like focusing on efforts at home). In creating each month’s mission, I tried to incorporate all the different aspects of sustainable living, so that this challenge really creates a life that is not only more environmentally friendly, but also engaging and rewarding socially, and helps inform and transform my interactions with the economy.

I invite you all to join me!

At the start of every month, I will post a new tracking calendar with the month’s mission so you can see what the focus is for that month. I will be sure to include suggestions and tips as well – and if you have any, please share! And of course I will keep you all up to date on what I’m doing, both on the blog and via social media. I invite you to join me and share your progress, changes, and actions using the hashtag

#SustainableLivingChallenge

I already know some month’s are going to be challenging (that’s why it’s called a challenge 😉 ), but you only grow when you’re pushed outside of your comfort zone, right? And I am SO excited to start. I think this year is going to be great and has a lot of new, different, and amazing things in store. I can’t wait to see how my life will change, how my “footprint” will shrink, and what things I learn along the way.

I really hope you join in and share your experiences too! It will be so fun to see what you’re all working on!

Have you ever done a year-long project? What helped you succeed? How did you remember to work on it every day? Any tips, tricks, or hacks are appreciated!