While working on this project, I’ve come across challenges that I didn’t expect at the start. One of the biggest was realising how little life cycle assessment (LCA) research exists on potted plants, especially compared to cut flowers. At first, I was worried this would limit my ability to make meaningful comparisons. But as I reflected more, I realised that the absence of data is itself a valuable finding—it shows a research gap that’s worth highlighting. Many studies focus on roses, tulips, or carnations, but long-term plants like peace lilies or gerberas in pots are rarely explored. That in itself raises important questions about what kinds of environmental data we value.

This challenge also forced me to strengthen my literature review skills. I used to think reviewing literature meant reading and summarising papers. Now I know it means organising information critically and thematically. I built a spreadsheet to track key variables across studies—flower type, country, methodology, and whether circular economy (CE) ideas were included. This structure helped me spot patterns and gaps more clearly. It also reminded me that literature review is not “easier” than fieldwork—it just involves a different kind of rigour.

After my supervisor meeting, I felt more confident. He helped me simplify my research questions and confirmed that a focused literature-based review was a solid direction. That gave me space to stop overthinking and start working. I’ve now planned out the next steps: continuing to build my source base, drafting the abstract and rationale for my proposal, and starting the literature review section in June.

This stage of the project has reminded me that uncertainty and doubt are part of doing research—but so is growth. I’ve learned that it’s okay to change direction, to ask for help, and to admit when you don’t know something. Each challenge has actually moved me forward, and I’m excited to see where this leads next.

Learning Through Uncertainty: Data Gaps, New Skills, and Moving Forward / Xizhi Zhang / Circular Economy: KIPP and Futures Project by is licensed under a