You’re excited to begin a more sustainable lifestyle, but where do you actually start? It seems like there are so many paths you can take, in every area of your life. The possibilities seem hopeful but overwhelming.
The good news is that wherever you start, you will be making a difference right from the beginning. Every step matters. You don’t need to do everything at once. Just take that first step.
This guide will help you start powerfully small, and you can grow from there. Enjoy the journey!
Start Where You Shop
A simple first step toward sustainable living is to bring your own bags to the grocery store—in store or curbside. Start by bringing four bags from home: one for produce, another for meat, one for frozen, and another for dry items. You’ll soon figure out what works best for you. Keep your bags in a place that’s easy to spot on your way to the store, so you’ll remember them.
In the produce section, instead of reaching for those plastic bags, just put the produce in your grocery cart. At checkout, it’ll go into the produce bag you brought from home.
That might seem like a small first step. But when you combine your step with the steps others are taking, and carry out those numbers over time, look at how much plastic will not go into the landfill. Sustainable living works very well when everyone takes small steps together.
Your next step at the store could be to try one reusable item. You could try beeswax wraps—reusable food wraps. Or try a refillable cleaner, where you purchase a durable container and refill pods. That way, you won’t need to keep buying plastic bottles with every cleaning purchase.
Again, you don’t need to try everything at once. You’re taking a step-by-step journey of sustainable living. That journey must be sustainable. Try one change first, and when you get used to that change, add another change. Each step adds up over time and from person to person.
Simplify at Home
Look for one way to live more sustainably at home, like waiting till you have a full load of dishes or laundry to save on water.
Consider trying a natural cleaning product, which is often safer to use as well as sustainable. Take the time to do some research before switching. Be sure you’re getting a product that fits your lifestyle and is safe for your family.
You don’t need to overhaul your cleaning cupboard at once. Try one new product and see how it goes. When that seems to be working, try another.
Create a Sustainable Kitchen Habit
Look for one simple way to be more sustainable in the kitchen. A good step is to store food so it stays fresh longer. Start with a favorite fruit or vegetable and learn how to store it well.
Use airtight, clear containers, so you can see what food items you have and don’t forget what’s in there. If you have extra meals, you can store them in the freezer. Use what food you have, and nothing will go to waste.
Cook only what you need for your meal, or cook a batch of meals in advance and freeze them. You can find lots of meal prep apps that provide simple shopping lists. Be creative, putting leftover vegetables into soups and turning breadcrumbs into salad toppings.
Compost your food scraps if you can. Some communities have composts, or you can learn how to create a small compost at home. Composting creates good garden soil and minimizes landfill waste.
If you want to start composting at home, take the time to learn how to do it right, so your home doesn’t become overrun with worms! Avoid putting meat, dairy, or oily foods in your compost.
Sustainable Mindset, Sustainable Journey
Sustainable living is partly a mindset shift and partly a practice shift. If you have the right mindset, you will be surprised at how easily you find ways to live sustainably. Your mindset will help you along the way.
Remember it’s a journey. Don’t beat yourself up if you forget your cloth bags at the store and have to use plastic. If you run out of cleaner and grab a new bottle, it’s okay. Change happens over time, and you have to be realistic and kind to yourself.
Sustainability only works when it’s sustainable for you. If your sustainable steps cause too much stress, take a step back. Make a simpler change. Choose what fits your lifestyle and your family’s well-being. Notice what’s working and keep going, one sustainable step at a time.
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Janet Eriksson 