I challenge you...

I recently was recommended to a company called the Mighty Fix, by a well-known Board-Certified Behavior Analyst; Amanda Kelly (a.k.a. Behavior Babe). According to https://mightynest.com/the-mighty-fix “The Mighty Fix helps you tackle one healthy change each month with green goods that are high quality, useful, and fun.”

In a sense, this company, whether they know it or not, is using principles of behavior to reinforce sustainable behavior changes one at a time. Each month, the company will send you one product to promote green living. I’ll give you an example of five months I found on https://thisorganicgirl.com/mighty-fix-review/:

Month 1: Wool Dryer Balls

Month 2: Reusable Dish Cloths

Month 3: Reusable Produce Bags

Month 4: Bee’s wrap (an alternative to plastic wrap)

Month 5: Clean body care

By sending you only one product every 30 days, the company is challenging you to change one small thing within your lifestyle that month. After 12 months of this, you may look around and discover that you have made some real behavior changes to promote green living. I believe there is a lot to be said about this 30-day challenge. It takes 21 days to create a habit and 7 days to break an old one. Spending 30 days on each product is the ideal amount of time to create lasting change.

Now my challenge to you is not to buy a subscription to the Mighty Fix (unless that’s something you’re into). Instead, I challenge you to find one simple behavior change you could make in the next 30 days. Here are my top 20 changes we could make to promote a sustainable lifestyle:

1. Use a reusable water bottle

2. Use a reusable coffee cup

3. Use a reusable straw

4. Recycle something you aren’t currently recycling

5. Try cloth grocery totes

6. Switch to e-statements for bills and bank statements

7. Check out some reusable produce bags

8. Switch to bar dish soap

9. Switch to a new cleaner with glass bottles and natural ingredients (such as those from Blueland soap that I’ve mentioned before.)

10. Switch to a laundry detergent that doesn’t come in big plastic jugs. I’ve seen drops that are not wrapped in plastic as well as detergent sheets (they look just like dryer sheets).

11. Try out some reusable silicone Ziplock bags

12. Hang dry your clothes

13. Ditch the paper towels. Try out a reusable cloth or bamboo paper towel.

14. Try bar shampoo and conditioner. (you all already know my feelings toward this)

15. Order a set of tablet toothpaste. I know this is a stretch for most. It’s probably been the most extreme challenge I have taken in this sustainability movement.

16. Set up email receipts at the store

17. Order a set of reusable make up removal pads. The cloth pads are easily thrown in the washer and back on the counter in no time.

18. Ride your bike to work! Again, this one may be a stretch, but if you live close, give it a try.

19. Eat out less. This will save you money and save all the waste created. When making meals at home, store leftover food in glass containers.

20. Plant a garden! This is a great way to relieve stress and promote green living.

Now I don’t do all of these things by any means. But just as I am challenging you to make ONE change over the next 30 days. I am also keeping my changes small and realistic over the next month. Even if the only change you make is finding a cute water bottle to get you through the summer and taking that to the ballpark instead of buying bottles at the concession stand. That is something! That is a step in the right direction. Carrying that water bottle for the next 30 days, might just promote a habit that will last after the challenge is over. Small changes make great impacts.

If anyone decides to take my challenge, I would love to hear what you plan to do for the next 30 days and your journey toward sustainable behavior change.