Start Small: 7 Simple Living Habits You Can Add Without Overhauling Your Life

I used to believe simple living meant going all in—baking sourdough, making my own cleaning products, growing a full backyard garden, eliminating plastic… all at once. As a busy mom juggling family, work, and the day-to-day chaos of life, I thought that if I couldn’t do it perfectly, I wasn’t doing it right.

But here’s what I’ve learned the hard way: you don’t need to change your entire life to start living more intentionally. You just need to start small—and stay consistent.

This post is for you, the overwhelmed but determined mom who wants to live with more purpose and peace but doesn’t know where to start. I’ve been there. Let’s walk through this together.

The Most Common Mistake: Trying to Do It All at Once

When we first get inspired to embrace simple or sustainable living, we often get swept up in a wave of motivation. You might find yourself:

• Trying to overhaul your entire pantry in one weekend

• Feeling guilty every time you use plastic

• Buying expensive tools, glass jars, and supplies you think you need

• Starting multiple DIY projects at once

The result? Burnout, overwhelm, and eventually—giving up. Not because it wasn’t the right lifestyle, but because the approach wasn’t realistic.

The False Belief Behind That Burnout

Many of us fall into the trap of believing that living more simply means doing everything ourselves. That if we don’t go all in—zero waste, organic, slow living from day one—we’re somehow failing.

But this belief is not only wrong—it’s unsustainable.

The truth? Simple living is about making intentional choices that fit your life—not about becoming someone else overnight.

A Better Way: The “Start Small and Stack Wins” Method

The method I teach and personally follow is something I call: Start Small and Stack Wins.

Instead of making sweeping changes, this method focuses on:

• Starting with one habit that feels manageable

• Giving yourself time to adjust

• Celebrating each win

• Adding the next habit once the first feels like second nature

Why it works:

• It keeps you from feeling like a failure

• You build momentum and confidence

• You create real change that lasts—even when life gets busy

Amanda’s Story: From Burnout to Balance

Amanda, a full-time teacher and mom of two, reached out to me feeling completely overwhelmed. She had tried going all in—homemade bread, zero-waste swaps, gardening, making her own body care products—and she was exhausted.

She said, “I thought this lifestyle was supposed to make me feel calmer, but I just feel like I’m doing everything wrong.”

We scaled back. I asked her to choose just one change for the week.

She started by replacing her store-bought all-purpose cleaner with a simple vinegar and lemon peel solution. That was it.

Within a month, Amanda had added two more small changes and—more importantly—was feeling proud, not panicked. She was building a lifestyle, not performing one.

7 Simple Living Habits to Start With

Here are seven easy wins that can gently move you toward a more intentional life—without flipping your entire routine upside down.

1. Swap Paper Towels for Washable Cloths

• Use cut-up old T-shirts or purchase a set of reusable cloths.

• Store them in a basket under the sink for easy access.

• You’ll cut down waste and avoid constant paper towel runs.

2. Make a Simple All-Purpose Cleaner

• Combine vinegar, lemon peels, and water in a mason jar.

• Let it sit for two weeks, then strain and pour into a spray bottle.

• It’s safer for kids and pets, and it saves you money.

3. Use Reusable Grocery Bags

• Keep a stash in your car or near your keys.

• Choose bags that you like using—they’ll be easier to remember.

• One small switch that adds up quickly.

4. Create a 3-Night Weekly Meal Rotation

• Choose three “go-to” meals you know your family loves.

• Rotate them each week: e.g., tacos, pasta, soup & sandwiches.

• Less decision fatigue and more dinner peace.

5. Grow One Herb Indoors

• Start with basil, mint, or green onions on a sunny windowsill.

• It’s rewarding, budget-friendly, and beginner-proof.

• A great first step if gardening feels intimidating.

6. Declutter One Small Drawer

• Set a timer for 10 minutes.

• Pick one drawer—just one—and get rid of what you don’t need.

• Clear space, clear mind. It really does help.

7. Have One Screen-Free Hour Each Day

• Light a candle, turn on some music, or just enjoy the quiet.

• It gives your brain room to breathe—and your kids will notice too.

Why This Method Is Better

• It’s sustainable. You’re not running on willpower alone.

• It fits into your real life. Even on your busiest days.

• It builds confidence. You prove to yourself that you can do this.

• It leads to long-term change. No more crash-and-burn lifestyle shifts.

Without this approach, you risk staying stuck in the all-or-nothing mindset—constantly feeling behind and guilty for not doing enough.

With it? You create a rhythm. A routine. And eventually, a lifestyle that supports the woman you’re becoming.

Action Steps

Here’s how to put this into practice today:

1. Pick just one of the habits above.

2. Commit to doing it for the next 7 days.

3. Keep a small journal or sticky note to track your win each day.

4. When it feels easy—stack on another habit.

Remember, this isn’t about doing it all—it’s about doing something. And then another something. That’s where real change happens.

Final Thoughts (From One Busy Mom to Another)

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the idea of living more simply—please know that you’re not alone. I’ve been there. And I promise, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

You don’t need to live off-grid or bake all your own bread to live intentionally.

You just need to start small.

And when you do? You’ll find more peace, more purpose, and more confidence in the way you show up—for your home, your family, and yourself.

You’ve got this. I’m cheering you on every step of the way.

Here’s to living simply, growing wildly, and vibing fully.

Until next time,

Nicole