Method Initiative (Round 4) – Exercise 2 & 3: 5 Unsolved Problems & 5 Close Contacts
UPDATE: I just realized I accidentally did exercises 2 and 3 together before writing this reflection. Whoops. Changed the title and graphic to account for it!
For the last Initiative project I did, I was focused on trying to find something that would align with my work, figuring that if it is another part of my job, it would be easier to accomplish. But I realized that even if the project aligns with my work, it’s not necessarily something I’m passionate about. So embarking on my latest set of Initiative exercises, I was searching for a project that resonated not just with my work but also with my personal passions. I learned from past experiences that alignment with my job alone wasn’t enough; my heart needed to be fully invested. So, I found a new approach and thought of five new projects, each addressing a distinct problem with a possible solution.
Evolution of Project Selection
In contrast to my previous approach, this time around I tried to center the selection process around a “Venn Diagram” that would hopefully highlight my strengths and how they can help the world:
- What am I good at?
- What do I enjoy doing?
- Can these talents help to solve someone’s problem?
- What does the world need?
Based on these, I tried to come up with a new set of 5 projects. The goal? Pick projects selected to contribute positively while aligning with my skills and passions.
Here’s what I came up with this time around!
The Projects
1. Eco-Anxiety Support
Problem: Overwhelmed individuals facing eco-anxiety due to climate change and environmental degradation are driven to sometimes debilitating “eco-anxiety”.
Solution: Establish a supportive service providing a space for sharing feelings, learning about the science behind the issues, and taking positive actions, ultimately transforming eco-anxiety into a force for environmental good.
2. Reconnect with Nature Events
Problem: Modern life stress leave people feeling disconnected from nature, perceiving it as distant and requiring significant time and money to see/experience.
Solution: Create regular “Reconnect with Nature” community events, demonstrating that nature is accessible anywhere. Forest meditation, beach walks, hikes, picnics, etc. Potential to integrate mini-workshops for sustainable living practices, too.
3. Nature Story-Sharing Meetup
Problem: Environmental conversations carry a stigma, hindering people from discussing their feelings of joy about nature and horror, alarm, and grief around it’s destruction.
Solution: Organize a Nature Story-Sharing Meetup, fostering a community where individuals can share personal, inspirational stories about nature and the environment, building connections with others.
4. Eco-Tour
Problem: Sustainable tourists in Hawaii seek a less touristy experience, desiring a deeper connection with nature and local culture, but are frustrated with a lack of options.
Solution: Develop an Eco Tour, emphasizing nature exploration and local culture while minimizing the tour’s impact on Hawaii—a slow tourism initiative.
5. Climate Advocacy Group
Problem: People who are dissatisfied with cities designed for cars rather than people, too slow of a transition to renewable energy, and the lack of governmental protection of our natural resources want to push the political needle in the direction of sustainability have no options for activism due to a lack of activist groups.
Solution: Form a group focused on political action, advocating for environment-focused changes in Hawaii, such as transforming Waikiki into a walkable city and improving public transportation.
Making the Choice
I really felt like the eco-anxiety support would be something that I would enjoy doing, be good at, and help people with their problems, but I also recognized that that project would probably take a significant portion of time and effort, which I’m low on in life now (baby is almost 1!). I’ve started to lean toward community building, and finding others around me who have a similar love for, and desire to protect, nature. Considering time constraints, I opted for a community-focused project, leading to the selection of the Nature Story-Sharing Meetup. Also…I just really love storytelling in all forms (spoken, written, movies, games, etc.)
The Nature Story-Sharing Meetup: Unveiling My Round 4 Project
I chose this project for several reasons. Like I mentioned, I love storytelling and I want to build community. But I also recognize that there is scientifically documented power in storytelling to influence, teach, and connect with other people. Stories weave the tapestry of our lives, offering a deep and almost primal means of understanding one another. I’m hoping that with this project, it will fill a gap in environmental conversations, capturing the essence of why we love and protect nature, while hopefully also engaging others to want to learn more about environmental problems and protect nature.
Your Involvement
I invite you to share your meaningful experiences in nature and express your thoughts on this project. Do you have stories in nature you would want to tell at events like this? Let me know your feedback!
I’m interested to see how this project evolves and see what others think about it!
Thanks for reading!
