What sustains, and what haunts? A smartphone without a charger, a chip packet, and an old love letter—three everyday objects become metaphors in this talk that challenges the way we think about design, consumerism, and sustainability.Jhanak Sharma explores how our choices of “design for expiry” create waste and “ghosts” of consumerism, while “design for forever” enables regeneration and continuity. She reframes design as karma, a cycle of deeds that shape destiny—not just for individuals, but for communities and ecosystems.Through vivid stories rooted in the Marwar region, including the Bhogishail Parikrama mentioned in the Skanda Puraan, the talk highlights indigenous traditions where nature, culture, and spirituality coexist symbiotically. Pilgrimages, ponds, mountains, and rituals emerge as living examples of commons-based sustainability where ecology and economy are deeply interwoven.The message is sharp and personal: plastic packets designed to last forever but used for minutes, phones that die without chargers, and love letters that carry meaning across generations. Which of these do our systems resemble—ephemeral, haunting, or regenerative?Recognized by the United Nations Environment Program in 2025, this talk is a call to rethink how we design, consume, and connect. It urges us to shift from exploitation to regeneration, from ghosts to legacies, and from waste to wisdom. Jhanak Sharma is a student voice breaking beyond boundaries, where science, art, and activism intersect. A citizen scientist from childhood, she first found her place among the stars—winning global recognition in an astropoetry and astronomy podcast competition. That spark of curiosity grew into a belief that young people can be both explorers and storytellers of our shared world.Recognized by the United Nations Environment Programme in 2025 for her petition on sustainable change, Jhanak has debated at the national stage, represented nations in Model UNs, and produced a documentary on the relationship between culture and nature. Alongside her activism, she is an emerging poet, capturing the raw emotions of youth through her first collection of poetry.With conviction, creativity, and compassion, Jhanak steps onto the TEDx stage as a scientist, artist, and storyteller for change. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx