How to Start Natural Living: A Guide to Begin Your Journey
Welcome to the world of natural living, where a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle awaits. If you’re curious about embracing a more mindful approach to your everyday choices, you’ve come to the right place. This blog post will answer the questions you might have about how to start living a more natural life.
Natural living is becoming more and more popular, as it offers a refreshing alternative to the hustle and bustle of our hectic lives. There’s too much stress on most of us these days, along with the knowledge that nature isn’t doing too well either. By prioritizing sustainable practices and conscious consumption, we can begin to create a more harmonious balance between our well-being and the environment we inhabit.
The Core Principles of Natural Living
The idea of natural living may sound a bit hippie and woo woo when you first encounter it. Isn’t it just for people drinking strange teas and smoking things they shouldn’t? Have no fears, my friend. The world has changed quite a bit these last few decades. Now, more and more people like you and me are embracing the philosophy. We see it in the market place, too, where organic modern living is deemed to be the new trend. It really is gaining traction, in a very tangible way.
To break the concept of natural living down a bit, it is generally thought to have three main pillars. These are:
1) Environmental Awareness
Environmental awareness is the very foundation of natural living. It involves recognizing the impact of our choices on the planet and making conscious efforts to reduce our ecological footprint. By embracing practices such as recycling, reducing waste, and conserving energy, we contribute to the preservation of our natural resources for future generations. The main focus is to take from the planet only what you need, and to not use any more resources than necessary.
2) Holistic Health
Holistic health is another vital aspect of natural living. The idea is that your body is a part of nature too, and should be treated as such. This means that you will have to start doing things a bit differently. Instead of eating junk food, you will eat nutrient dense natural foods, and instead of using chemicals in your skin care, you will start using all natural products. It also encompasses nurturing our mental and emotional well-being. This involves prioritizing stress management techniques, being aware of how much info you’re getting exposed to during the day, and choosing to spend time in nature instead of being glued to the screens.
3) Mindful Consumption
Mindful consumption is the third pillar of natural living. It involves being mindful of the products we bring into our homes and the impact they have on our health and the environment. This can include choosing organic and locally sourced foods, opting for sustainable and eco-friendly personal care products, and making informed decisions as conscious consumers. Minimalist budgeting is a popular way of relating to money and finances, and goes hand in hand with the mindful consumption of natural living.
As you can see, these core principles intertwine with each other and create a synergetic effect when combined.
Benefits of Natural Living
Natural living offers a range of benefits that can enhance both individual well-being and the environment. By prioritizing nutrient-dense natural foods and all-natural products, you can really make an impact on your physical health and overall well-being.
Additionally, natural living encourages practices such as recycling, waste reduction, and energy conservation, which contribute to the preservation of natural resources and the protection of the environment. This, in turn, is good news for your wallet. When you cut back on the things you buy and opt for higher quality items with longer durability, you will start to see your savings account grow.
This lifestyle also emphasizes nature connection and stress management techniques, leading to enhanced mental and emotional well-being. This creates a magical ripple effect and spreads to your friends and family as well. Your inner peace is contagious. And by making conscious consumer choices, you support sustainable businesses and help create a healthier marketplace too.
Transitioning into Natural Living
So, how do you start living a more natural and sustainable lifestyle? My advice is: Start small. Take baby steps instead of changing All the Things All at Once. Although it may seem like a good idea to throw out all the chemicals and the plastic from your home immediately, it will be an enormous task and you might get exhausted and give up before you’re done. Instead, do it slowly, gradually and with purpose. Allow for it to be a fulfilling long-term project instead of a manic one-time affair. Remember, stress is not what we’re aiming for here.
With that said, here’s where to start making the transition into natural living:
Assessing Your Current Lifestyle:
Begin by taking stock of your current habits and routines. Reflect on areas where you can make positive changes, such as your diet, personal care products, cleaning routines, and waste management. This self-awareness will serve as a foundation for your transition. Start with what comes easy first. Is it your kitchen supplies? Your diet? Or do you really need some stress management before you do anything else?
Embrace DIY Alternatives:
One of the joys of natural living is the opportunity to create your own natural and eco-friendly alternatives. Consider making your own skincare products, cleaning solutions, or even growing your own herbs and vegetables. Not only does this give you greater control over the ingredients you use, but it can also be a rewarding and cost-effective way to embrace natural living. A vegetable garden will provide organic food, and the gardening itself will give you health benefits as well. And once you learn how to repurpose everything, you will start saving a lot of money.
Research and Education:
Knowledge is key to successful natural living. Once you figure out where you need to begin and what you want to start making yourself, you can start doing research. Maybe you want to learn how to use the sewing machine, for instance, or how to grow organic tomatoes on your porch. Find you passion, and run with it!
Seek Support and Community:
Transitioning into natural living can be easier when you do it with your tribe, so make an effort to find them and connect! Seek out local community groups, online forums, or social media communities focused on natural living in whatever phase of life you are in at the moment. Maybe you can cooperate too, so that one of you focuses on repairing clothes while another focuses on finding new recipes for organic meals.
Embracing the Beauty of Natural Living
Throughout this short beginner’s guide, we’ve explored the essence of natural living and its core principles, as well as the numerous benefits it offers. From assessing your current lifestyle to taking small steps towards change, you have laid the groundwork for a transformative journey towards a healthier, eco-conscious lifestyle.
And now that you know how to start natural living, it’s time to embrace the beauty of it fully. Join me in the next blog post and delve deeper into creating an eco-haven, nurturing natural living not only within our homes but also in the broader world around us.