Do you know that your home isn’t as healthy as you’d like? Are you painfully aware that areas of your home aren’t as safe as you’d like?
Realizing that you want and need a change is a HUGE step. In fact, you can’t really start making healthier changes until you know you need to.
Once you’ve made that step, though, then what? Where do you begin? And what do you do?
I’m a huge fan of making small steps to create a big difference. And while it can be hard to believe if you know that you need to make radical changes, it’s true. Little by little, bit by bit you can change.
6 Simple Steps
When it comes to creating a healthier home, where should you begin?
- My suggestion is to pick one room – either the easiest room to change or the most difficult.
- Then, make a detailed list of what needs to change. Do you need to green your cleaning supplies? Replace plastic? Upgrade to safer products?
- Once you’ve made your list, make one change. Ease into the process with something small, or tackle something huge.
- After you’re comfortable with the one change, make another change from your list.
- Keep going on your clean, green changeover until you’ve transformed the one room.
- Now, move on to the next room and repeat the process.
A real life example
A decade ago, my home was anything but healthy. I started making changes in my kitchen, though.
At the time, I wasn’t aware that I wanted to radically change. So I didn’t make a big list to motivate my changes. Instead, I fumbled and bumbled my way along … and it took eight years to make a total transformation. Here’s what I did:
In 2006
My husband and I replaced our nonstick cookware with stainless steel pots and pans out of safety concerns. We absolutely loved the upgrade.
In 2007
I discovered that antibacterial cleaning products were hazardous to my health, so I switched to natural cleaners (at that time it was Shaklee). Because I also was pregnant, I began drinking much more water and cut back on most other beverages.
In 2008
I made the switch from paper napkins to cloth napkins. Because our son was learning to eat solid food, my husband and I added a lot more fresh vegetables into our meals.
In 2009
After discovering BPA was harmful, I reduced my use of canned foods. I also pitched all of our polycarbonate containers.
In 2010
Finally I saved up enough spending money to buy reusable glass containers for our leftovers, and I got rid of our seven-year-old plastic ones.
In 2011
I switched over to safer dishwashing detergents and started making my own cleaners. I also stopped buying processed food and transitioned into a real food diet for my entire family.
In 2012
After I got rid of all plastic sippy cups, I transitioned my children over to stainless steel cups – and plain old drinking glasses and ceramic mugs.
In 2013
Finally I purged my kitchen of all plastic containers and switched to only glass or stainless steel replacements. I also discovered Norwex and began cleaning my kitchen with Norwex microfiber.
In 2014
I stopped buying paper towels and switched exclusively to cloth. My husband and I began making organic food a higher priority.
Slowly but surely
I wish I never had to make healthier changes – because I wish I had been living a healthy life all along. But that wasn’t my reality. My journey was a long one, because I had to be convinced that I needed to change. I needed to understand how I could change. And I had to ease my husband – and myself into it.
If I would have made every single change way back in 2006, I probably couldn’t have kept up with all of the reasons why I should change – and exactly what I should do. For me, the long process was a good one, because none of the changes seem radical to me. My baby steps worked.
My kitchen was, by far, the toughest room to switch over. But it’s done – until I feel convinced to change something else. Other rooms have been a quicker process, but nothing has been immediate. I’ve had to allow a lot of time for adjustment.
If you feel like you’re facing the beginning of a daunting process, be encouraged. It is completely possible. Do what you can with the resources and time you have. Ease your way into healthier choices and keep trying. You’ll have a healthier home before you know it.
What advice can you offer to beginners? How did you create a healthier home?
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