It can be really overwhelming starting a more sustainable lifestyle and creating a more eco friendly home. I often get asked about how I started a more low waste and toxin free lifestyle. ‘Where to start?!’ is a common question. It’s an ever evolving process, not something that you can turn around overnight, nor do I see it ‘ending’. I’m constantly examining the ways we do things at home and seeing there are possibilities to trying alternatives. And sometimes I find I’m not ready to make certain changes either. And that’s ok.
Going on an environmentally friendly lifestyle path often takes a shift in your thinking. We can be persuaded by brands and aesthetically pleasing things we think we need to buy. I’m a sucker for this, I like pretty things! We’re often surprised about how tricky it can be. Like, recycling, right? Don’t get me started. There can be disappointment when so much effort is put into something that just isn’t working. We can be in a race to the ‘finish line’, of which there is no such thing.
Five things to be mindful of when going zero waste are:
- It isn’t always pretty.
- You don’t always/ever need new things.
- It is sometimes more effort.
- Not everything works for all of us.
- It doesn’t have to happen all at once.
In saying this, it is so rewarding when you see progress and there are some super easy ways to make at least a start, that make a HUGE difference. And once you start, you can’t stop!
Here are four ways to start on your more low waste and toxin free lifestyle:
- Reduce the use of single use items.
- Examine the packaging on EVERYTHING and look for ways to cut it down.
- Set up a recycling station somewhere in your home that makes sorting the different types easy. And a compost system while you’re at it.
- Read the ingredients in all products you use and look for more natural and toxin free substitutes.
Starting with these super easy steps you will start to look at everything so differently around your home. But keep in mind the five things to remember when creating a more sustainable lifestyle. We are all trying to do the best we can with the time we have and the resources accessible to us, which is amazing!
Small switches can lead to big changes.