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Mother Plants 2 Million Trees to Honor Son’s Final Wish

Mother Plants 2 Million Trees to Honor Son’s Final Wish

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Our planet is 4.5 billion years old and is often daunting to try to imagine the impact our actions can have on the fate of the world. However, it is important to think of our big picture: the impact our actions today have on future generations. The best thing we can do for the future is to ensure that our actions today provide a better life for those who will live long after we are gone.

Dreaming of a Green Future

Yi Jiefang, the 67-year-old mother of Yang Ruizhe, a young university student who died in a tragic accident in Japan, is hoped to make a difference for future generations out of love for her son. Her son always dreamed of turning their hometown into a forest, but he was unable to carry out that dream. His mother took it upon herself to carry out his wishes. 

Planting the Seeds

We can plant the seeds that will allow future generations to thrive – a sentiment that Yi Jiefang took literally as she, over the course of 12 years, planted 2 million trees in North China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. This worked to counter the deliberate desertification of China. Planting these trees could also contribute to reversing the effects of deforestation and fuel sources that are not environmentally conscious on the planet. Trees produce oxygen, capture greenhouse gasses, and help stabilize our atmospheric conditions. Yi Jiefang truly took to heart her son’s vision for a greener future.

Rooted in Community

Yi Jiefang went beyond just the work that she could physically do herself by creating a non-profit named Green Life to recruit others to join her in this mission. Not only did Yi Jiefang and her husband invest all they had in this organization, but they are using it to help others cope with similar loss of a child. They have found it is a way to cope with grief and do good despite what they have suffered. 

Be the Change

As a young person, I am constantly inspired by efforts to make a difference for future generations. There is an opportunity for each and every one of us to take inspiration from people such as Yi Jiefang who take it upon themselves to care for the planet out of love for others. Caring for the planet is an act of love for future generations. While what Yi Jiefang has managed to do is amazing, it is not the only way to carry out these acts of love. They can be as simple as recycling or experimenting with plant-based eating. It would be amazing if we could all plant two million trees, but any action can work to change the future. 

Acts of love can go beyond actions; they can take shape in the power of our words and motivate others towards doing good. We have seen a rise in young people speaking out against harmful practices and for environmentally-conscious policies. The acts of love of many people will combine to create a safer tomorrow. Everyone today, especially young people can begin by dreaming green and planting the seeds to build a better future for our Planet Home.

Celebrate The Planet This Holiday Season

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Did you know that every year the amount of trash produced in the U.S. increases by about 25% between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day? According to the National Environmental Education Foundation, that extra 25% is equal to one million extra tons of garbage each week! It’s no wonder so many people tip their garbage collectors around the holidays. 

Now is the season for giving. 2020 has been especially difficult for everyone. Why not give back to our local communities and to the environment this year? Read the list below to learn how to lessen your environmental impact this holiday season.

via GIPHY

Decorate a different way

Spread some holiday cheer, without the waste. Here are some more sustainable swaps for traditional holiday decorations.

Recycled snowflakes

These are one of my favorite decorations because there are so many ways to make them. They’re all super simple. By using discarded/recycled paper (or other recycled materials), you can make something beautiful from stuff that would otherwise end up in the trash; and it can be a fun activity to do with your loved ones! Check out these Youtube tutorials for 2D and 3D snowflakes, and for snowflakes from recycled toilet paper rolls.

You can also find tutorials for other recycled paper decorations, like this rolled paper wreath or this origami dreidel.

A guilt-free Christmas tree

Experts say that a traditional, real Christmas tree is actually a more sustainable option than a fake one. Even though fake trees can be reused, they’re made of non-biodegradable plastics & metals; and most are shipped from overseas, which causes more carbon emissions. If you celebrate Christmas with a tree, make sure to support your local economy by buying from a Christmas tree farm near you.

It’s a wrap on traditional gift wrapping

Does anyone else cringe at the mountain of discarded wrapping paper left after everyone opens their gifts? Consumers spend over one billion dollars each year on gift wrapping supplies, just for it to last a few minutes; and most gift wrapping options are non-recyclable, so they sit in landfills forever. One of the most harmful materials is glitter. Did you know that these tiny microplastics contaminate our water, soil, and air? It’s time we cancel out the unnecessary waste, with some eco-friendly wrapping alternatives.

Recycled wrapping paper

Save your old newspapers and paper bags! Many retailers launch festive paper bags during the holiday season. Starbucks’ and Panera’s bags are SO cute this year — which are perfect for wrapping gifts. Comic strips or grocery coupon flyers are also a fun option!

Try to use minimal tape when wrapping. Sometimes a glue stick works just as well, especially with newspaper.

Reuse last year’s bags

Make sure you avoid any awkward moments, by removing old tags or stickers from past seasons. (definitely NOT speaking from personal experience here). Remember to save any bags this year for future holidays!

Tags made from old holiday cards

Lots of holiday cards have cute designs that will make your presents pop.

Reclaimed ribbon

Try to use things you might have lying around (like twine!) before buying new materials. I like to save ribbon pieces from gifts and keep them all in a box. That way I always have something to spruce up the gifts I give.

You can also draw ribbon (or whatever you want) onto paper bags — get creative!

Shop smarter

Especially now during a global pandemic, it’s convenient to buy all of your gifts online; but unfortunately, online shopping (more specifically, shipping) really takes a toll on the environment. However, you don’t have to completely avoid shopping online to be more sustainable. Here are some smarter, more intentional ways to buy gifts.

via GIPHY

Make a list (and check it twice)

If you’re buying gifts for multiple people, make a list of gift ideas for each person. Not only will this help you stay organized, but it will also make it easier to buy more gifts at once, from the same places. It can significantly decrease your environmental impact, by cutting down on shipping & transportation.

Avoid express shipping

Choosing regular shipping instead of express has less of an impact on the environment. If you order multiple items from the same place, giving the business more time to ship them means they can package everything together and avoid excess packaging.

Shop small & local

This year especially, small and local businesses need our support. Whether you’re choosing to shop in person or online this season, consider giving your money to small and local businesses instead of large corporations like Amazon.

Etsy is a great place to buy unique gifts while supporting small businesses from the comfort of your own home! Plus, Etsy offsets 100% of their carbon emissions: This means that for any carbon emissions released as a result of shipping items, Etsy invests in environmental projects that reduce carbon emissions by the same amount.

A gift that keeps on giving

Give your loved ones something they can use again and again: A reusable straw pack or utensil set, a reusable tote bag, reusable makeup remover pads… The sustainable options are endless!

Gifting an experience is a great, packaging-free idea. Consider buying your loved ones gift cards to their favorite local cafes or restaurants.

Stay in (and safe) this season

‘Tis the season for traveling — but not this year. With COVID-19 cases rising higher every day globally, it is incredibly important that we all take some necessary precautions to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. For many people, this means limiting or forgoing traveling for the holidays.

This certainly isn’t anyone’s ideal plan, but it does bring some good news for the environment. Significantly less travel by car and plane means significantly less carbon emissions released into the atmosphere. While the holidays are definitely different this year, that doesn’t mean we can’t still celebrate in safe ways.

Schedule a video visit

Thankfully, technology allows us to connect with our family and friends even when we’re not in person; and while it’s definitely not the same as being in person, video calls are the next best thing. Zoom recently announced that they will be lifting their 40 minute time limit for free video calls on Thanksgiving Day, and hopefully they will do the same for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.

If you don’t use Zoom, Skype, Facetime, and Google Duo are also free options for video calls. Text or email your loved ones to set up a time to celebrate together — this is something you can do year-round!

Socially-distanced activities

Many places are holding local light shows from the comfort of your own car, or you can drive around at night and admire people’s yard displays. Christmaslightfinder.com lets you find nearby light displays using your zip code!

If you live somewhere with warmer winter weather, it’s perfectly safe to celebrate with others outdoors, while wearing masks and practicing social distancing. For more information and guidelines on safe holiday celebrations this year, visit the CDC’s website; and consult your local & state government websites for more specific information.

No matter what or how you celebrate this holiday season, make sure to do it safely, so that you and your loved ones stay happy & healthy even after the holidays are over. While the next few months may bring some stress, I and the rest of us here at Planet Home hope that you also experience a season of gratitude and joy. I hope this article has inspired you to make some sustainable changes in your holiday habits.

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Creative Solutions for the World’s Waste Problem

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One of the most daunting issues facing the world is the ever-increasing waste problem. From polluting the environment to impairing public health, it poses a significant hazard for a lot of countries, especially the developing ones. 

Countries like the United States, China, Brazil, Japan, and Germany lead in contributing to waste generation. With over 2.01 billion tons of solid waste produced globally, it is startling that more than half of the world’s population does not have access to regulated trash collection. The United Nations Environment Program predicts the amount will double in lower-income African and Asian cities because of population growth, urbanization, and rising consumption. 

litter signage

While such predictions are alarming, there are many solutions we can implement individually to tackle the problem en masse. Some of these require interventions from the government, while others need implementation at a local level to be more effective. 

Why do we create so much waste?

One of the main contributors to waste generation is littering. Littering is a modern issue, originating in the 1950s when manufacturers started producing higher volumes of materials and packaging in plastic. However, in just 70 years, littering has ended up impacting the environment rather badly. Scientific reports suggest 8 million tons of plastic waste ends up in oceans and littering continues to be a largely deliberate act. 

While it is difficult to comprehend the domino effect of throwing a cup out of the window, it is crucially important to educate the public about littering and how it affects the environment. 

The most common sources of litter are roadways. Motorists and pedestrians are the main culprits, and their justification can be boiled down to –

  • Laziness or carelessness
  • Lack of trash receptacles
  • Lenient law enforcement
  • Presence of litter beforehand

To mitigate such an issue, we should understand its serious long-term consequences. Littering causes pollution due to the presence of non-biodegradable chemicals like arsenic and formaldehyde. These chemicals make their way into the air, soil and freshwater sources, impacting humans, animals and the environment. 

glass bottle on sea shore

It also affects wildlife. Over a million animals die each year due to the ingestion of improperly discarded waste, which is commonly plastic. Improper disposal also creates breeding grounds for bacteria and diseases. This can lead to contact and transmission of germs through animals or humans, with potentially disastrous consequences. 

How do we tackle the issue as a community?

People have started to recognize the long-term hazards of littering. Cleanup initiatives have brought together like-minded individuals in communities that want to make a difference. In our digital age, apps like Litterati allows people to dispose of litter and involve others in their initiative. Jeff Kirschner, the founder of Litterati, has established partnerships with brands and NGOs such as Levi’s and WWF, with a common mission to create a deeper impact and thus, a better future for all. 

Even governments have started to recognize the nuisance and impacts of littering. For instance, the lack of public waste bins or receptacles can certainly be addressed by adding more bins. However, by also establishing systems in place to increase the frequency of cleaning and maintenance, they can contribute towards addressing this issue effectively on a larger scale.

blue trash bin on beach during daytime

Designers are creating projects that promote systematic solutions involving waste management industries, the government and advertising agencies. 

As an industrial designer myself, I have worked on projects to solve the problems of healthcare and sanitation. One of my projects, the Ad Bin, focused on the lack of proper waste management in India. My team and I identified issues with illegal advertisement boards and the lack of public waste bins in our city of Vadodara. We addressed this by creating a bin that would be maintained by the government and local advertising agencies through a circular model of operation. However, our project ended up being purchased by a real estate company. Despite that, there was a profound sense of satisfaction in contributing to the issue of global waste production.

What can you do to make an impact?

We should keep in mind to be aware of our surroundings and our impact on the environment, now more than ever. While littering is a big problem, cleaning it up does not have to be. Spare 10-15 minutes from your day to clean up the litter in your block or take a bag with you when you go for a walk or a hike. Such simple changes can help in creating a much bigger impact. 

man standing on hill digital wallpaper

Personally, I have switched from bulk purchasing bottles of drinking water to using a water filter for tap water. Switching from single-use packaging to reusable plastic or glassware can go a long way in preventing the accumulation of waste. By doing something similar, not only do you minimize your expenses, but you also contribute to waste prevention. 

And finally, try to adopt the three Rs in everything you do: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Before buying something, ask yourself if you really need it. And always leave the bin as your last resort.

How to be an eco-friendly gift giver this holiday season

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Being an environmentally conscious gift giver for the upcoming holiday season is a  relatively easy feat. In fact, many eco-friendly gift preparation practices are easily accessible and affordable. In some cases, you don’t even have to leave the house to find sustainable gift-giving solutions! From giving a certificate to a loved one to wrapping a present in recycled paper, there are several ways to integrate sustainable practices when giving gifts to your loved ones.  

Shop close to home with friends (at a safe social distance,  of course) 

The New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation encourages putting multiple heads together and recommends carpooling when going holiday shopping (only with those who are in your quarantine pod, of course!). Additionally, pinpoint a location that has several stores to shop at such as a mall or strip mall in order to prevent multiple shopping trips and to minimize your carbon footprint. Make sure to bring your own tote bags when you decide to hit the store aisles as well.  

women wearing surgical masks while christmas shoppping
Look for materials around the house to wrap and prepare gifts

According to the Peninsula Sanitary Service, Inc. (PSSI) and the Stanford Recycling  Center, trash disposal in the United States increases by 25% between Thanksgiving  Day and New Years, which means that an additional 25 million tons of garbage are disposed in landfills throughout the U.S. in this six week period. To reduce the potential waste that will end up in landfills this season, consider using recycled paper or the pages of old magazines, newspapers, or posters for wrapping gifts. Otherwise, try not to use paper when preparing gifts but opt for a basket, box, or tin container instead.  

If you’re looking to top your gift with that perfect bow, look to use cloth ribbons around the house or make your own bow out of fabric in lieu of using pre-made plastic ones.  

Get creative with homemade gifts 

Nothing is more heartfelt than giving or receiving a homemade gift. If you’re a cooking connoisseur, ponder the possibility of baking some desserts for that special someone.  Like being artsy? Paint a picture, design a scarf, or frame a photo in a nice frame that is meaningful to you and your loved one. Get creative!  

a plate of homemade christmas cookies
Give the gift of an experience 

It is always nice to give gifts that your loved ones can possibly use for months and years to come. On the other hand, giving the gift of an experience can eliminate using tissue paper, wrapping paper, and bows, several parts of a present that oftentimes are disposed of after a present is opened. In fact, the longevity of experiences can outlast the lifespan of an object, since experiences can give our loved one’s memories that can last a lifetime. Plan a hike, purchase a gym membership, buy concert tickets, give a  certificate for a day at the spa or nail salon, or create a coupon book with experiences that your loved one can redeem at any time.   

Go and give green  

Environmental solutions think tank, The Center for Eco Technology, says you can lend a  helping hand to your loved ones by giving them a gift that can help them help the environment. Try finding a gift that your loved one can use on a daily basis, such as a  water bottle, a canvas tote bag, a mug, or a cookbook that contains recipes using only leftovers. That way your loved ones’ positive impact on the planet can last for a long time. 

Look for fashion finds at thrift shops 

For the fashionista in your life, turn to your local thrift shop instead of buying new clothes from a retailer. The production of clothes uses approximately 93 billion cubic meters of water annually, so thrifting instead of buying new can help mitigate the fashion industry’s significant impact on the environment.  

clothes racks inside thrift shop
Explore e-gift cards and e-holiday cards 

What is sent by email, is sold by most retailers everywhere, doesn’t need to be wrapped up in wrapping paper, does not require a trip to the store, is not made of paper, and makes a great gift for any occasion? An e-gift card! However, here’s the challenge for the gift card to be entirely eco-friendly: find an e-gift card for something your loved one likes that will not produce waste. For example, tv and movie streaming service Netflix allows customers to purchase a membership as an e-gift at major retailers such as  Target, Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon. Don’t forget to support your local businesses by checking out their e-gift card options as well. 

When making your rounds of sending holiday cards this year, send e-cards instead of paper cards. There are several websites that offer e-cards free of charge or for purchase. 

No matter what you decide to gift your friends and family this year, there’s always a way to making sure your gift has a minimal impact on the environment. 

No turkey left behind: Thanksgiving leftover recipes

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Thanksgiving has come and gone. The annual bounty of home-cooked goodness steeped in familial tradition is on the brain, and the ideas alone of tender turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, and gooey marshmallow-topped yams have left us feeling content.

Food is on everyone’s minds. And that means food waste is on our minds.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, 30 to 40 percent of the United States’ food supply ends up wasted. At about 22 percent, food waste is estimated to be the largest single category to contribute to municipal landfills. In 2017 alone, 41 million tons of food were wasted, and less than seven percent was composted or combusted for energy recovery. 

Finishing your plate of food instead of throwing half of it in the trash won’t solve world hunger. But if millions of people consciously made an effort to reduce food waste — whether by buying only what they’ll actually use, relying on compost heaps instead of landfills, or making an effort to use up everything they cook — the planet, and its people, would be much better off.

To help prevent wasting food in your home this turkey day, here are some creatively tasty recipes that will put your Thanksgiving leftovers to good use. 

Turkey Croquettes

Recipe from Seamus Mullen

grilled chicken on black and silver grill
Photo by twohelmetscooking is licensed with CC BY 2.0.

Recipe by chef/owner of New York’s Tertulia

Yield: 24 2-inch croquettes

Time: 40 minutes

INGREDIENTS
  • 2 to 2 1/2 cups bread crumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 cups mashed potatoes
  • 4 to 6 tablespoons olive oil, as needed
  • 2 cups cooked turkey, chopped
  • 2 cups stuffing
  • Cranberry sauce and/or gravy, for serving
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. In a small sauté pan over moderate heat, toast the breadcrumbs for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and crunchy. 
  2. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool.
  3. In a small bowl, beat together the egg and water.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, stuffing, and turkey. 
  5. Using your hands or a spoon, shape the mixture into 2-inch-long, oblong-shaped croquettes (you should have about 24 croquettes) and transfer to a large rimmed baking sheet.
  6. Working with 1 croquette at a time, dredge in the egg-water mixture, letting the excess drip off, then dredge in breadcrumbs and return to the rimmed baking sheet.
  7. In a large skillet, over moderately high heat, warm 2 tablespoons of the oil.
  8. Working in batches, pan-fry the croquettes, turning them occasionally, until crispy on all sides, 5 to 6 minutes total. 
  9. Repeat with the remaining croquettes, wiping the pan clean and adding 2 tablespoons of the oil to the pan between batches. 
  10. Serve hot with cranberry sauce and/or warm gravy.

Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

Recipe from Baked by Rachel

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Time: 45 mins

INGREDIENTS
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup onion, chopped
  • 1/3 cup celery, chopped
  • 1/3 cup carrots, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 1/2 cups cooked turkey
  • 1/4 cup peas or green beans
  • 1/4 cup corn
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup gravy
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 cups mashed potatoes
  • 4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. 
  3. Add onion, celery, and carrots, cooking until onions are translucent. 
  4. Add minced garlic, cooking for an additional minute. 
  5. Throw in turkey, corn, and peas (or green beans), along with seasonings and gravy, cooking until heated through. 
  6. Transfer to a 1-quart baking dish, pressing into an even layer. 
  7. Heat mashed potatoes until lukewarm and easy to stir. 
  8. Add half of the shredded cheese to the potatoes and stir to combine. 
  9. Spread mashed potatoes over the turkey filling. 
  10. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. 
  11. Bake for 30 minutes. 
  12. If desired, broil or use a kitchen torch to char the cheese slightly. 
  13. Serve warm.

Cranberry Sauce Apple Crisp

Recipe from Kelly Senyei

shallow focus photography of red berry lot

Yield: 6 servings

Time: 50 minutes

INGREDIENTS
  • 3 Granny Smith apples
  • 1 1/4 cups homemade cranberry sauce
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup uncooked Old Fashioned oats
  • 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, plus more for greasing dish
  • Ice cream or whipped cream, for serving
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. 
  2. Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with unsalted butter.
  3. Core and slice the apples into 1/4-inch thick slices. 
  4. In a large bowl, toss together the apples with the cranberry sauce. 
  5. Pour the fruit mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
  6. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and oats until combined. 
  7. Cube the butter, then add it to the bowl, working it into the oat mixture with your fingers until it’s well incorporated. 
  8. Sprinkle the oat mixture evenly over the fruit. 
  9. Place the dish on a baking sheet and bake the crisp for 32 to 35 minutes, until the oats are toasted and the fruit is bubbling. 
  10. Remove the crisp from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes so the juices thicken slightly.
  11. Serve the crisp warm, topped with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

10 Questions for Practicing Gratitude

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This Thanksgiving will be unconventional, to say the least. Many of us will be organizing virtual gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. One way or another, this year has impacted each of us. 2020 has thrown curveballs, challenged old ways of thinking, and left us wondering what the future holds. No one knows what will happen in the future, but we can reflect and learn from our past while focusing on the present moment. 

Expressing appreciation and gratitude is one of the most important acts of self-care. It helps us build community, strengthen our relationships, and improves self-esteem. Practicing gratitude has even proven to help our immune system. Here are 20 questions that will help you practice gratitude. I took the time to answer with what I’m grateful for this year and I encourage you to join me

1. What place are you most grateful for?

I am so grateful for my apartment. As I mentioned this is the first time I have lived off-campus and it is such a beautiful place. It is spacious and keeps me warm at night. I couldn’t be more thankful that my dad found this apartment. Many of us are at home right now and missing out on visiting new places, but being able to spend time in a familiar environment can be healing. How has being home been for you?

2. What food are you most grateful for?

Right now I am most grateful for the Green Chef boxes that my roommate makes for us. She orders different healthy recipes to make for dinner. They are delicious and I always appreciate her taking the time to cook for us. Are there any foods you have been particularly enjoying lately?

3. What memory are you grateful for?

A memory I am grateful for is the day I moved into my first real apartment and my girlfriend helped me unpack and set the apartment up. The first few days we didn’t have furniture or utensils so we had to eat on the floor with plastic spoons we borrowed from the leasing office. Having her there to help me acclimate to the new place meant the world to me. It was such a special moment that I will always hold close to my heart. Now it’s your turn to close your eyes and try to visualize a memory that comes to mind when you think about gratitude

4. What smell are you grateful for today?

I am grateful for the smell of my girlfriend’s Glossier perfume. Since we don’t live together and often have to be long-distance, I keep a shirt next to me while I sleep that we sprayed with her perfume. The smell is the sense most tied to memory and being able to smell her shirt keeps me calm when I am stressed out, anxious, or when I just miss her. What smell reminds you of a person or place that you miss? 

5. What tradition are you grateful for?

I am grateful for my family’s tradition of visiting the tree in Rockefeller center and seeing a Broadway show every year around Christmas time with my mom and brother. We won’t be able to do these this year, but I’m sure we will create new and wonderful traditions for 2020. If you’re like me and looking to form new traditions this year, what are some of the creative ideas you have considered?

6. Who in your life are you grateful for?

I am grateful for so many people in my life. My parents, my brother, my girlfriend, my roommate. I love them so much and I hope I am able to show them that every day. Sometimes we forget to remind those we love how important they are to us. If you could reach out to anyone and tell them you appreciate them, who would it be and what’s stopping you?

7. What is one accomplishment you are grateful for?

I struggle to feel a sense of accomplishment, but I would say I am grateful for the protests that I helped organize for Black Lives this year. It was powerful to see my community come together like that and made me feel proud to have helped facilitate that moment. We all deserve to feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in our work. If you’re like me struggling with this try to sit down and write out three or four things you feel proud of.

8. Who is a friend you are grateful for?

I am grateful for all of my pen pals. Shoutout to Cate, Mya, Kylie, and Caroline. Letter writing has been my saving grace of quarantine. It helps me connect with people without requiring screen time and it is always the highlight of my day when I check the mail and someone has written to me. Give writing letters a try and see if you like it and if not there are dozens of other ways to stay connected with friends.

9. Name a person in your family you are grateful for.

I am so incredibly grateful for my mom and dad. I am the luckiest daughter in the world to have parents as loving, accepting, and empowering as they are. Whether biological or chosen family it is so important that we have a strong support system. For anyone who doesn’t feel particularly embraced by their family please remember that you are deserving of unconditional love.

10. What is a life lesson you are grateful for?

I am grateful that this year I learned that I am not a machine and I am allowed to rest without feeling guilty. Living under capitalism we have all been trained to value ourselves by our productivity, but we are complete and deserving people even if all we did today was a nap. 2020 has been packed full of life lessons, what have been your biggest takeaways from this year?