2015 Wrap Up! 2016, Here We Come!

It’s the end of the year: time to get all sentimental about what I’ve achieved and what I haven’t in one year. Then moving on to the feeling that there is so much I had hoped or even planned to do, and the realisation that no human will ever do all those glorious things we all dream about. All in all a fairly depressing time.

And also time for a recap. What happened on this blog, what happened in my life? How is this blog, which was supposed to run for one year at first, going to continue? And how is my life going to continue?

Well, let’s dive right into it, shall we?

Week 31: Reclaim!

It’s been quieting down around this little blog, and the anticipation of Christmas (and three exams!) has kept me on my feet non-stop. I wish I could tell you that I exclusively give experience gifts for Christmas, which are both zero waste and super non-consumerist. But I have to admit that’s rather tough when your whole family lives in a different country, so there will be a few material – although not unnecessarily wasteful – gifts under the tree this year.

But enough of Christmas: I can’t give away what I’m giving just yet or I’ll spoil the surprise! Instead of giving, I’d like to talk about taking.

Moving flat… with a little help from your council!?

We made it! Three weeks after we moved flat, we have got our internet installed. What a long journey it was, back then when a pilgrimage to the library was needed to stay up to date (or, if you’re lazy, your phone’s mobile data, which made your phone bill skyrocket within a few days). It really made me learn to value my libraries anew, both the one at my university (which is open until well past midnight), and our local town library (which is just around the corner).

Despite having already moved twice before (from Germany to Cornwall, and then to Scotland), this move was entirely new, besides other reasons because of my high waste awareness. Although our actual move went relatively smooth, both in terms of getting boxes to the new flat, and not making a huge pile of waste in the process, the following weeks threw me into a deep chaotic state.

Week 24: Hands down. Carity shopping is awesome!

Having such a limited amount of any unpackaged stores in the area, I tend to clutch at straws. Bulk nuts at Lidl? Need to get them. Unpackaged soap? I’m in heaven. Free produce from the garden? I’ll dig it up! But one thing I’m never tired of and would continue doing regardless of whether I am wealthy or poor, zero waste or not, student or professional: I’d still go charity shopping.

Week 15: Sharing is Caring No.3 – Freecycle!

Last week, we tried to reduce our consumption of added-sugar or sweeteners, but we didn’t quite make it to keep this pledge (I failed basically every day), so we decided to give this another, more planned go this week. So this is how I come to talk about Freecycle.

It’s worth giving Freecycle the attention it deserves. For those who don’t know it: It’s an online platform where people can advertise their stuff to give away for free. For free! At the same time, you can insert a ‘wanted’ post in which you search for stuff you need, but this feature is less used, and the offers are where the action is happening!