reflections – Plantiful Bounty

Plantiful Bounty from Blogging

Posted on November 10, 2016

Hey there!

As we approach the end of this blogging journey, I just wanted to share some of my reflections regarding my blogging journey.

When I first knew that I had to set up a blog, I was worried, because I was never confident with my writing skills. I wasn’t sure if I had the sufficient knowledge, or whether my ideas would be mature enough. There were just a lot of doubts and uncertainties.

These 3 months weren’t easy. I realised the amount of commitment needed to sustain a blog and update it regularly. I was so conscious with what I was posting that I could spend up to 5 hours just crafting out a single post. Seeing that I could spend so long just writing a post, I remember being worried about whether I would be able to post regularly.

However, I was thankful for this blog, because I became more confident. I used to be so afraid of expressing my ideas and would have the notion that my ideas were always incorrect. As much as I was fearful with what I was writing, this blog provides a platform for me to step out of my comfort zone and just express myself. That was when I realised that it doesn’t matter whether my ideas are good enough. As long as I know that I am passionate in what I was doing and this is what I truly feel, I am sure that the readers would also be able to empathize with me.

There are times when I could have thought more critically but I wasn’t disheartened because this means that I know the shortcomings of my posts and there is room for improvement. After all, a blog is a place for learning. Interestingly, this is one of the assignments that I love and hate. While I hate that I could spend so much time writing a post, I do enjoy the overall process. I could write whatever I want and just let my mind wander.

I was glad I was given this opportunity. Without this blogging journey, I wouldn’t be as observant and I wouldn’t be able to gain so much valuable insights. I realised there is so much I could learn just being more attentive during the simple events that happen in my daily life. This would be the main takeaway which I would practise even after this blogging journey.

I am thankful for this blog. Yes, it was tough but fulfilling. 🙂

♣ Johanah

What Now?

Posted on November 6, 2016

Hey there!
Just a few months ago, I wasn’t as environmentally-conscious as I am now. I didn’t know how drastic some of my consumption patterns could impact the environment. However, through this module, I have learnt so much about the impacts of our actions and the urgency for a change in the way we live. Through small actions in our daily lives like bringing our own lunch boxes to takeaway food, we can do our part in ensuring that damage to the environment can be reduced.

People were shocked by my drastic change in the way I live which of course lead to doubts regarding the genuity of my actions. There are times which I am disheartened when people just dismiss my behaviour. If I cannot influence the people whom I am close to (my family and friends), how am I going to influence others and make a positive change for the environment?

This brings to the topic of influence.

For the past 3 months, I have brought up some of the development, benefits and issues regarding the greenery in Singapore. Throughout my blogging journey, there have been many times that I question myself. I have spoken a lot about the issues we face, how we prioritize artificial greenery over natural sites, how certain ecologically valuable sites have to make way for development…

But I wonder, what gives me the right to speak up and influence others? As someone who still has a lot of learn, do I really have the power to make a change for the better?

What exactly can I do as an Environmental Studies student?
What exactly can we do as Singaporeans?

Some people feel that they do not have the power or the ability to protect our sites. After all, it is usually the authorities or the higher-ups who would have the final say in the usage of the land. But the very fact is, they do listen to us. As leaders, they have to listen to our needs. We are the ones who would influence their actions. The most prominent example would be Chek Jawa. If not for the public’s opposition, awareness would not have been created about the beauty of this site and Chek Jawa could possibly be gone due to reclamation by now.

This brings me back to what Dr Peter Ng have mentioned during the talk last Monday: If people do care and love these natural sites, there is no need to worry because it is unlikely that they will be taken away.

This is the power of our voice. This collective voice is the very basis of influence. Only then can progress be made to protect these natural sites and move towards a ‘truly green Singapore’.

Right now the best thing we can do is to come together to speak up when we see a plan that we know would damage the environment. It all comes down to knowing what is the right thing to do.

Don’t be afraid to be speak up.

Cheers!
♣ Johanah