Even a little effort is enough.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could all practice zero-waste perfectly, and the planet would be miraculously saved by our collective amazingness? Well, the reality is that real life can make it very challenging just to get by sometimes, never mind worrying about how to recycle bubble wrap. Read on to learn how to practice zero-waste when life is kicking your butt.
We all have roadblocks. What’s yours?
We all face different challenges that can make living more sustainably feel difficult. Whether you’re neurodivergent, navigating trauma, grief, or mental health challenges, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life, it’s okay to start small.
Whatever obstacles you’re facing, we’re here to share practical, realistic tips that can help you reduce waste in ways that work for your life. Because every small step matters.
The first thing to get rid of? Guilt.
When you’re overwhelmed or struggling, it’s hard to focus on zero-waste habits like sorting recycling, making your own cleaning products, removing yourself from mailing lists, and all the other little things on the list. You might even be tempted to give up on the whole zero-waste idea because it feels overwhelming—or because you feel guilty that you’re not doing more.
May we suggest letting go of the guilt? It isn’t serving you, and it isn’t necessary. When life is coming at you from all directions, just do what you can. Every small step counts, and those little efforts matter more than you might think.
So, exactly what is the little stuff?
If you’re feeling ready to take a few small steps toward living more sustainably, here are some simple ideas to consider. We don’t recommend trying to tackle the whole list! Instead, choose just one that feels doable this week. Once it becomes a habit, try another.
- If you don’t already use reusable grocery bags, pick up a few the next time you shop.
- Make a shopping list—and stick to it—to help reduce food waste.
- Choose fresh produce that isn’t packaged whenever possible.
- Wash and reuse glass jars for leftovers or pantry storage.
- Recycle something you might normally toss in the trash, like empty toilet paper rolls.
- If you pack lunches for yourself or your kids, try replacing disposable plastic bags with reusable silicone or washable fabric bags.
These are just a few examples of small, meaningful changes. You don’t have to do all of them—or even any of them—if you’re simply not up for it right now.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress. Every small choice adds up over time, and doing one positive thing today may inspire you to take another step tomorrow.
The five-minute rule
Okay, it’s not really a rule, but I didn’t want to call it the “five-minute thing.” The idea is to take five minutes to do something sustainable. This is good for anyone (like me) who has a short attention span. Set a timer for five minutes and do one of these quick tasks…
- Grab an unwanted catalog from your mail pile and call the company to get removed from their mailing list.
- Cut up a couple of old t-shirts to use as dust cloths.
- Look at one shelf in your fridge. Is there something that needs to be used soon? Bring it to the front of the shelf so you’ll use it before it goes to waste. Has something expired or grown mold? Toss it!
- Clean out one drawer in your dresser (this one may take 10 minutes, sorry). Many of us have so many clothes we don’t know what we have, so we buy more, often of the same thing. Knowing what you have can mean less wasteful shopping. Donate what you don’t want.
- Sign up for paperless e-statements from your bank or credit card company.
- Change the settings on your printer to print on both sides of the paper.
But what if…
If you’re really struggling, your home may be more disorganized than you’d like—maybe even chaotic—and the idea of thinking about zero-waste feels completely out of reach.
And you know what? That’s okay.
Give yourself permission to shift priorities. Right now, your energy may be better spent creating a little more order in your home than worrying about reducing waste.
But how do you do that when you’re already overwhelmed?
Like we’ve been saying… start small.
Choose one manageable project—a junk drawer, medicine cabinet, or pile of mail—and focus only on that. Completing even one small task can help you build momentum and experience the benefits of living with less, which is one of the core ideas behind zero-waste.
One word of caution: avoid making a bigger mess than you started with. As tempting as it may be, don’t empty your entire closet onto the bed with plans to sort it “later.” There’s a good chance you’ll be sleeping next to that pile tonight! Instead, work in small, manageable sections so you can enjoy the satisfaction of finishing what you start.
Don’t forget an important task: Rest!
Too many of us feel guilty when we slow down. But here’s the truth: rest isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. It’s not just a reward for hard work; it’s something we all need to care for our bodies and minds.
Rest when your body needs it. Rest when your mind needs it. Self-care is just as important as organizing your home or reducing your waste.
So, repeat after me: I deserve to rest.
Ask for the support you need.
Living more sustainably—and creating a more organized home—is much easier when you don’t have to do it all alone. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider where you might be able to ask for or accept support.
- If you have a partner, have an honest conversation about how household responsibilities are shared. Small changes can make a big difference.
- If you have children, look for age-appropriate ways they can help with chores and recycling. Building sustainable habits is a wonderful life skill.
- Don’t hesitate to lean on friends or family. Sometimes simply having someone sit with you while you tackle a drawer or sort through a pile of papers (what we call “body doubling” in the organizing world) can make the task feel much less overwhelming. And who knows—they may even be happy to take home something you no longer need!
Zero-waste with zero judgment
If you could use a little support getting your head above water, Big Rocks Organizing would be honored to help. Our compassionate, judgment-free team creates organizing solutions that work for your life, your home, and the way your brain works.
Ready to take the first step? We’d love to meet you. Schedule a complimentary exploratory call today.
P.S. Several ideas in this article were inspired by How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis, a compassionate and practical guide for anyone who is neurodivergent, navigating depression or anxiety, or simply feeling overwhelmed. We highly recommend it. Check out the blog post we wrote about it.
About Andrea Thompson
Andrea was an advertising copywriter/creative director for 40 years before retiring, then unretiring to start a new career in organizing, then retiring again to travel the world with her husband, John. She fully admits her home is not 100% organized.