If you’re interested in living a more natural lifestyle but don’t know where to start, you’re not alone! When I was in the infancy of my natural living journey, I often found myself getting too overwhelmed with all the information and changes that needed to be made to reach my goal. I’m not always the best at properly managing the to-do list and would often dive head first, only to end up back near step one. Making the transition can feel overwhelming, but it’s definitely worth it. Not only can it improve your health, but it can also benefit the environment and help support local businesses. You can read about the benefits of living a natural lifestyle here.

Here are some tips to help make the transition to a natural lifestyle a little easier:

1. Start small: It can be tempting to overhaul your entire life overnight, but that’s not always realistic or sustainable. Instead, start with one small change at a time. For example, try swapping out one conventional household cleaner like your window spray for a natural alternative, or start buying organic produce for the items you consume most frequently. It’s expensive to live a “processed-food-free” lifestyle, so don’t feel guilty for choosing a “cleaner” processed food compared to conventional processed foods.
2. Do your research: There’s a lot of conflicting information out there about what’s “natural” and what’s not. Take the time to educate yourself on the products and ingredients you’re using, and seek out trusted sources of information. Don’t just take what someone says at face value because there is often a lot of misinformation shared. Check their sources if they provide them. If not, seek to find anything that either backs what they said or disproves what they said. The confusing part is figuring out if the content working to disprove something natural is actually true or biased information with the intent to sway people away from natural solutions. It pays to have someone in the natural world that you can bounce information off of to help you figure out what is true and what isn’t.
3. Get creative: Making your own natural products can be a fun and rewarding way to embrace a more natural lifestyle. There are plenty of recipes online for everything from homemade cleaners to DIY beauty products. Experimenting with these can be a fun way to customize your natural lifestyle and make it your own. I love making our own all-purpose house cleaner. I literally use it on everything from countertops to windows to furniture.
4. Be patient: It can take time to see the benefits of a natural lifestyle, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t notice changes right away. Stick with it and trust that your efforts will pay off in the long run. Looking back, 5 years ago, I was dealing with hormone imbalances. My periods were irregular, cystic acne in my 20s, mood swings, I needed to nap for 3+ hours every day, etc. None of that changed overnight. But I’m so thankful I began my clean living journey and am not dependent on pharmaceuticals to manage symptoms.
5. Stay motivated: Surround yourself with others who share your values and can support you on your journey. Joining a local community group or online forum can be a great way to connect with like-minded individuals and stay motivated. Take what others say with a grain of salt. Don’t let the “all or nothing” individuals get you down. You are entitled to take as few steps at a time as you need.

Remember, transitioning to a natural lifestyle is a journey, not a destination. It’s okay to take things one step at a time and to make mistakes along the way. The important thing is to keep moving forward and remember your ‘Why.’