have you created any ripple effects during this challenge? last night my family finally had a meatless meal with me. I would like to think my challenge has impacted them – even if it is only once. it will take time to change their habits and beliefs.
throughout my challenge I don’t feel like I’ve created much of an impact on the people around me, this is partially my fault as I didn’t think cutting out meat was that exciting or unheard of so I didn’t mention it to everyone I talked to. I’m not naturally a very argumentative person so getting Into debates about my reasons for going vegetarian didn’t seem very appealing. Looking back over the past month I think I will have to go out of my comfort zone sometimes if I’m going to influence people.
have you learned something new about how change happens?
As cliche as it sounds change takes time. It’s more sustainable in the long term if you build up small habits and actions instead of trying to dramatically alter your lifestyle. Change also takes effort – you need to be consistent for habits to stick and become part of your everyday life.
Different upbringings and cultural identities play a big part in our opinions and habits, for example, my grandparents come from a traditional rural background, and going a day without meat and dairy is unheard-of for them.
-
cCHANGE Team commented on Day 28: ripple effects 4 years agoHi Sarah, Wow, I think the family eating a meatless meal with you now sounds like a big step! You never know what might happen from here. It's hard to really know how we influence people around us. But influence them we do. I read this article the other day written for young climate activists in the lead up to the big climate meeting COP26 in Glasgow. It said "Even the most ordinary of our daily routines can be symbolic acts that send ripples through the imaginations of others. These ripples inspire other people to act, generating more ripples. By the end, the lines of influence are virtually impossible to trace or predict. This theory of change understands individual change and system change as two sides of the same coin. It is complicated and messy and confusing, but that does not mean it is not working.". (https://theconversation.com/young-climate-activists-have-far-more-power-than-they-realise-170537) You have definitely started shifting some patterns and stories in your family and around you. People will remember that and your commitment to this challenge. It is wonderful to read your learnings about change through the challenge and your observations about different generations. I think you learnt and stretched a lot. Keep going, only two days to go. :) Best, Leonie at cCHANGE Respond
You must be logged in or have the proper rights to post a comment.