Small Steps You Can Take to Live a More Eco-Conscious Life

Shifting to an eco-conscious life might seem like a daunting task. And if you’re trying to be “perfect” immediately, that is really overwhelming!

There’s no such thing as perfect, especially when it comes to cultivating a sustainable lifestyle. We’re here to break down eco-conscious living into small, gradual steps you can take to make it a more sustainable (pun intended) lifestyle that can you keep up for years to come instead of burning out by doing too much too quickly. Slow living is just that – slow. The more you lean into a gentle approach, the more you’ll see how simple it can be when you take small steps.

How to Switch to Eco-Friendly Products

Realistically, you can’t flip the switch to sustainable in just a day without throwing things out, which is counterproductive, even if the items are made of plastic or are single-use. Adapting a new lifestyle takes time, and it’s much more sustainable to replace items with their eco-friendly counterparts as needed instead of replacing everything in your home at once.

Here are some swaps you can make as products run out:

• Opt for bar soap over body wash
• Replace sponges with dish scrubbers
• Find reusable replacements instead of single-use products, like makeup wipes (cotton rounds), paper towels (rags or towels), plastic food bags (silicone bags)
• Look for non-toxic cleaning products
• Use shampoo bars instead of traditional shampoo

Found some product swaps you love? Set up a subscription so you never run out and don’t have to think about finding another option! Automating habits can be a powerful way to shift your lifestyle (and it takes one more thing off your to-do list).

Sustainable Habits for 2023

As you start to make changes, you’ll begin to notice all the little things you can tweak to be more eco-conscious in different areas of your life. Here are some sustainable habits you can start in 2023:

• Carry a reusable water bottle
• Bring reusable bags to the grocery store
• Shop local for everything from farmers markets to boutiques
• Minimize buying from big-box retailers
• Grocery shop according to the season (check out what’s in season near you here)
• Bring your own mug or thermos to the coffee shop
• Opt for an alternative mode of transportation – take public transit instead of driving, hop on a bike, or take a train instead of a plane
• Turn the lights off when you leave a room and unplug electronics that aren’t in use
• Set your thermostat on a schedule so the HVAC isn’t running as high when you’re out of the house or sleeping
• Try to use what you have before buying more
• Thrift instead of buying new

Habits tend to have a snowball effect – one thing leads to another and soon enough, your life is different than it was before. And even better, when people see you adopting positive changes, they are often inspired to make changes in their own lives. So even if you feel like these are small steps, consider how they can add up. And, more importantly: keep going! Have faith that all these decisions add up to a larger impact on the health of our planet, especially when you consider how many other people are doing it alongside you.