Week 2 – habits, autopilot, and cultural norms

Hi,

Yesterday in our check-in we reflected a bit about:

– switching off our autopilot and observing ourselves and what we do.

– habit change and what it has been like to try and introduce a new habit in our lives.

– culture and cultural norms around us. Which is the focus of this week.

Culture and norms can be so powerful in either supporting our change or holding it back. They are all around us and they are also often invisible, like the air we breathe. As the quote above by David Foster Wallace demonstrates.

Using the observational skills we practiced in Week 1, we can observe some of the cultural norms, conversations, and shared stories around us at home, with friends or colleagues, and reflect on them and how supportive they are for helping us create sustainable and equitable change. Do they help or do they make it harder?

Here is the chat from our check-in yesterday. Get in touch if you would like to request the recording:

Shandin: Yay! I got my first [Milk and More] order this morning 😀

Shandin: I have been talking to the central UoB Sustainability team and they would like to share the story of what we are doing – so if people are willing to work with me on sharing a few photos and testimonial statements that you are happy for them to put in their social media and newsletter, etc that would be fantastic!

Alf Coles: @Shandin – that would be brilliant to share stories, I hope others will contact you and help with this!

Leonie, cCHANGE: In breakout rooms, talk about what you have learnt about yourself in relation to changing your habits and turning off autopilot, and what your family and friends think about your challenge.

Plenary chat:

Maria Pulman: Being sustainable in a way that is also sustainable for you personally
Alison Oldfield: Me too! Got my first milk delivery this morning, inspired by others 🙂
Francesca Mahon: What was the dog food brand called please?
Heidi Arctander: Harringtons
Caroline Falzon: does this work for cats too?

How many people do you think you have influenced or inspired with this challenge so far:
James He/Him: 5
Maria Pulman: Hopefully at least a couple!
Michelle Graffagnino: Hopefully more than 10…
William Browne: got to go – apologies – hopefully a few
Leonie, cCHANGE: I think around 10
Shandin: a handful…
Francesca Mahon: 5..ish!
Reuben: a few!
Karolina Bacinska: I think at least 2
Emilie Enslen: 5 ish
Michael Rumbelow: not many yet

Shandin: Amazing Michelle!
Emilie Enslen: I’m sorry I have to leave earlier but it was great chatting with everyone! Thank you!
Reuben: Sorry I have to go! Lovely seeing and hearing from you all!
Francesca Mahon: https://biophiliaeducational.org/
Michael Rumbelow: Good

To Shandin:
Michelle Graffagnino: i’m willing to share
Celia Tidmarsh: Me too
Maria Pulman: Me too
Sze Wan Maggie Ma (CC): Sure happy to try
Elias Sandoval: will do!
Michael Rumbelow: sure