NST June - Turtle Power

Starlight_at_Sea

NST June: Turtle Power! 

Welcome to the NST Challenge for June.  I know we are not all in the UK, but many of us Turtles are. June has turned into an important month for those of us who are, one in which it is important that we do not feel impotent because the issues we are facing as individuals, as communities, as countries, and as a species can seem so large! 

It’s a sad truth that the more one is struggling with something, the less energy one has to advocate about that cause or issue, but voices grounded in real world experience are so important to hear. That is one of the very powerful things that Martin and team do via this forum, taking the insight it provides into the day to day barriers, challenges, inequalities and unnecessary nonsense, and turning it into evidence about impact of policies on real people. So we are all contributing our voices, even just by posting about our day to day lives.  

Somebody very wise once told me that if policies were being pushed forward that we had no power to change, but were wrong, to focus on building the evidence base that showed the impact and to strengthen the understanding of the evidence base, to get stronger at telling the stories that would shape the next set of decisions, and to make sure those stories were prominent and well understood at the right time. Tis frankly exhausting! 

But if we have any energy left over, then now is a time to try to use it.   Elections prompt candidates turn their full beam of attention to their constituents, and so it is an opportune time to make your point about things that matter to you, either as local or national causes.  This might be directly - by contacting candidates to tell them about something that matters to you, or indirectly, by adding your name to a petition or your support to a charity that lobbies about something that matters to you, by getting involved in citizen-science data gathering projects.  Now is the time to speak of the unheard of things, causes that don’t get enough attention but affect people everyday.

I fear the tribalism of politics and the divisions that come with it, and the hate that is fuelled on each extreme. One way of trying to overcome this is to seek opportunities to remove that polarisation at local levels - how can we try to build the communities we want to live in? How do we build connections at local levels, and use the place we all hold in society to influence for good? This might be about how we interact with those in our local spaces, how we improve the environment around us, volunteer, stopping and speaking, smiling at strangers.   

I would so love to live in a neighbourhood with all you Turtles, imagine how incredible we could make it and what audacious things we could achieve. Who are the hidden wannabe turtles around us? 

 

Rules for June 

1   The challenge runs from 00.00 on June 1st and ends at 23.59 on June 30th.

2    You will aim for 15 Spend Free days (medical, travel and ys spends are exempt)

3    Take time to set your budget, thinking ahead to plans for the month, and stretching your outlook ahead to the summer holiday months if these affect your day to day life. 

4   Pay to debt or savings first.  Do something beyond payments this month to help you understand your debt or your savings goal, like working out dates for milestones, or accurate costs, or scoping best rates.

5   Do something each day to benefit future-you.  This might be setting out clothes to avoid decision making first thing in the morning, or making that health appointment, or doing a task that dwells in your mind and drains you, or booking some time out.

6   Do something each day to benefit you-in-the-moment. Exercise, meditation, a healthy meal, a rest, a good book, a natter with a friend, drinking enough water

7  Think about the community and causes that matter to you, and how you might further their endeavors this month.  What are the ways you can do this without becoming overwhelmed? 

8  If in UK, register to vote, and organise a postal vote, if it makes it more likely you will have your say. All the votes add up, no matter how dispirited you are.  

RANDOM AND RETAINED RULE

Feel good about yourself. You are trying your best. You are enough

Chrystal

Thank you @Starlight_at_Sea for leading June, and @grandmanerd for leading May.

 I'll be first to sign up for June and will make a concerted effort to post instead of just reading! X

Toni'sfriend

Absolutely love it, Starlight. Missed May for technical reason. so please, please count me in.

grandmanerd

A lovely challenge Starlight. I'm in

ldee2111

I’d like to join in for part of the month. I’ll be on holiday for 2weeks in June but need to get back into a NST routine after missing a few months. 

beanielou

Thank you @Starlight_at_Sea for our lovely new thread. 

Starlight_at_Sea

Belatedly remembering to reserve for our ambassadors for real life! 

1. Chrystal 
2. Toni's friend
3. Grandmanerd
4. ldee2111
5. Beanielou
5. Starlight at Sea (nearly forgotten myself)
6. Weenancyinamerica
7. Applemuncher
8. Thriftylass
9. DawnW
10. DrCarrie
11.Shrewbie
12. Lcc86
13. F0xh0les

18. Thrifty_Taylor

weenancyinAmerica

Even though I am in America, we are having the same problems (if not stranger - someone asked why you are prepping, does getting ready for a presidential election riot need prepping - yes it does.) I would like to sign up again this month.

grandmanerd

Be you. Embrace your quirks and body and the way you see the world.
Be you. Own your  gifts and strengths and weaknesses too.
Be you. Carry yourself with strength and dignity and simply offer what you have to give.
Nothing more and nothing less.  But be you
(alfiein progress.CA)

apple_muncher

I'm in, Starlight! Many thanks for setting us up for June.

thriftylass

Hello turtles🖐 ,

I would like to join again. Can't even remember the last time i was here, but I in need some magic turtle support to the finish line. Ready to take this serious again

Luckily I'm still on target for my planned DFD. 

See you soon