My Reported Progress with Mindful Practice on Wicked Problems as a Young Adult

I believe that I have had an innate sense of awareness in what a “wicked”

 problem is and how I may contribute to the ecological footprint of the globe since I 

began learning about sustainability at a young age. When I would do chores for my 

mother at a young age, I would often wonder, “ Where does this trash that I am taking

out to the curb end up? I am aware that the garbage man picks it up when he does his 

rounds, but what does that afterlife consist of? Furthermore, what is the process 

difference with the recycling that stands tall next to it?” This was a spark on mindfulness

that my young brain began exemplifying due to curiosity. 

I have had a passion for sustainability since I was introduced to the “Triple-R” 

concept in grade school, as this repetition melted the benefits of personal sustainability

 into my brain righteously, and made me want to do all I could to help the betterment of 

Mother Earth. But, as a child, my ability to understand how large some concepts were,

were faulty and I was too immature. Everybody is guilty of contributing to mass

industrialization in some shape or form. Being able to accept that all people are imperfect

and we must only try our best to reverse effects of the past is the first step in undoing the

 harm that humans have contributed to the environment. 

Wicked Problems of Industrial Practice has furthered my education and knowledge

of these issues by connecting mindfulness and wellbeing to present wicked matters. 

Taking breathes and reconfiguring what my motives are and what choices I may have in

 a situation is the process of being mindful. Not only does this help a person make better

 ultimate decisions, it can put an individual at ease and contribute to less stress in the 

body. Staying calm and aware is the best version of oneself self that they can be because

 they are thinking with the utmost capacity. These past few weeks every once in awhile 

when I am hard hit to make a decision, I reminisce on Professor Martinez’s explanations

 of meditation and deep-thought consideration, and these steps of mindfulness played

 a large role in my stability of inner peace. 

I feel as if I am being taught real mindfulness at the perfect age, freshly an adult

and able to see what direct consequences my actions have.This also makes it easier to

identify whether or not I should make some choices and if I have the capacity to. Now

that I am living on my own at college, I must always do my own chores and clean up after

myself. Often I do not notice until the end of the day how many things I pick up, move 

around, and throw away. I also must consider the ripples I cause when I am wandering 

outside of my dorm as well.

Intellectually, I believe the factor that I have and will struggle with most in my continuation

of mindful practice is my short memory. But, I found that this can be easily fixed with some 

alarms and reminders. My next step was to consider a schedule for mindful work and 

decision-making. Setting aside time to ponder life and a current position can help with

organizing a brain visual list of considerable solutions.

Emotionally, I feel more stable and less spiractic on a daily basis. Being a moody teenage 

girl, while it may not be true, life feels pretty overwhelming when in comes to my 

feelings. I react pretty strongly to even the tiniest of events, but I work hard to show my 

thickest of skin before that happens. Being mindful of myself and my surroundings puts me

at peace because I know that I am trying my best and that is all I can do. 

Somatically, I feel less tense and more focused on my everyday activity. One of my

favorite methods of meditating is lying down in my bed and getting in as much thought as

I can before I fall asleep. My body is in an ultimate comfort state, so I can carefully focus 

on my thoughts rather than be distracted by physical abnormalities. One of the cons of 

doing this is many people forget their nightly train-of-thought the following morning, and 

so I like to keep a handy pen and pad near me in case I want to remember an idea. 

Physical relaxation is necessary for emotional and intellectual relaxation. 

I have found that meditation and therapy helps me the most because of the constant

 stream of beneficial monologue and dialogue. Finding what’s best for the individual is

 necessary, because preferences most of the time determine if a mindful activity is hit or 

miss.

. What about mindfulness of specifically Wicked Problems? One may ponder on 

possible set solutions for a lifetime and still not find the answer. But that’s why they are

given their name afterall, finding a fix is not simple. I believe when it comes to issues like 

this that motives begin as individual efforts, and then expand to ideals that are agreeable

with others in society, often resulting in the  formation of environmental groups. As this 

growth reaches a max capacity, it will become more difficult to get everyone to agree on 

one concept. I do not see the entire globe converting to an environmental-over-industrial 

economy in my lifetime sadly, and so I will do what I can to uphold my standards and goals.

Doing the best one can do individually satisfies morality and makes them feel good about 

accomplishing something bigger than themselves.

My personal favorite mindful practice that I have begun and kept up with is my 

assignment and activity schedule that I created on my technological devices. I am always

notified when I have an academic or personal necessary date to attend, and this puts my 

mind at ease as I do not have many feelings of being excluded nor missing important

meetings. I believe having a macro, and multiple micro schedules for passions can help 

one stay involved and flourish to their fullest potentials with ease. This preparation leaves

more time for improving one’s mindfulness.

 In my dorm, I now have a recycling bin for both my roommate and I to use. We agreed

that I will crush and take out the trash if she does the dishes in bulk to save water. I sure

am glad that she and I are able to agree! We have also taken time to share our schedules, 

which includes meditation in the dorm, and so we may not disturb one another. Discussing

and coming to conclusions feels good and we are able to be mindful of ourselves and each 

other. 

 On a larger scale, I try to stay involved as much as possible, but set aside time for personal

care. On campus, I am practically around people anytime I am not in my dorm room.

As an introvert, it can be difficult to face large periods of time without breaks. Finding a 

mindful balance is what I am currently experimenting with. It depends on the situation, 

but I do not want to push myself, nor do I want to reject what great opportunities I have

to cooperate in. Notifying clubs and operations in advance if I feel too worn out is a new fear

I have faced, but one that I must have faced eventually if I am to be mindful of my health 

and ability.

I plan to carry many of these methods of sustainability past college and beyond.