Day +1126
Keri Facer
I work at the School of Education at Bristol. I'm interested in futures, how we make better ones, how we value what we have in the world now. I'm a poor guitar player, better cello player, lazy gardener and lover of sweet things...
My challenge
My cChallenge is to reduce all unnecessary consumption

So – I am in the supermarket (which I usually avoid like the plague) and am on my way out, and as I am I see these seed packets – and I think, lovely – I could do with planting some for the garden and reach out to get them. And then remember that I can’t – that these, too, are unnecessary consumption – that they were harvested, packed, shipped around the world, so that they would sit at the exit to the supermarket to encourage me to buy them.

And I looked around, and the whole place is just designed to make you buy stuff you don’t need.

I have come home and dug out all my old, unused seed packets and will plant them this weekend.

04.03.2022
  • Shandin Rickard-Hughes
    Shandin Rickard-Hughes commented on Day 4: Just cos it’s about gardening doesn’t mean it’s 3 years ago

    Great post Keri, I really appreciate the reflection of 'wait, these too are unnecesary consumption' - this fits with one of my challenges which is rethink. I love gardening, and I too need to get into the shed and dig out the seeds that I have and take stock before buying new seed packets. Another great thing is the gardening yammer group available to UoB staff - sometimes people post seed swaps on there! This year, as with last year, I will be buying some plugs to get my veggie garden going from the good people of Werburghs City Farm, which also saves me buying seeds and germination pots and screens, etc. to sow the seedlings myself, and gives me time to focus on prepping the ground to plant them... https://propagationplace.co.uk/ Respond

    • Team cChallenge
      cCHANGE Team commented on Day 4: Just cos it’s about gardening doesn’t mean it’s 3 years ago

      Hi Keri, Leonie here! It's great reading your reflections. How you managed to resist the seeds in the supermarket. So tempting! And its interesting to reflect on that dilemma you experienced between something that is natural/sustainable, but also a purchase at the same time, and all of the impacts that are embedded in that product. It really relates to that Day 6 post about turning off our autopilot. And yes, it can be difficult, because as you reflected, the supermarket is purposefully designed to make us buy more. I also really like how you have connected your challenge to the climate justice topic. How have you been going with solving the birthday present issue? I was inspired by Shandin's comment and decided to tell my mother-in-law that I was getting an experience for her this year and we could plan it together. She seemed thrilled actually and has started planning what we will do together. That was a bit surprising. Have you noticed that this challenge is impacting your habits, patterns in any other ways? Thanks for the updates. Best, Leonie Respond

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