Three Steps to Make the Plastic Free Habit Stick (You’ve Got This!)

Are you someone who sees every Monday as a fresh start? Who loves the beginning of a month because it’s a chance to set new goals and take on new challenges?

The monthly Aim Plastic Free challenge is live and ready for you to join! It’s the perfect time for you to take action on new plastic free goals or to recommit to saying no to single use plastic. Even if a new month doesn’t thrill you (as it does me) now is a great time to join!

How to make the plastic free habit stick

Have you ever heard that it takes 21 days to build a new habit? This has been debunked, especially in recent years, but there’d plenty of ways to trick yourself into creating better habits.

1. The Goldilocks Rule

James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits, notes “The Goldilocks Rule states that humans experience peak motivation when working on tasks that are right on the edge of their current abilities. Not too hard. Not too easy. Just right.”

This is exactly why we break the challenge into easy, daily tips. When you step back and think of all the aspects of your life that you’ll need to change, it’s overwhelming and honestly demotivating.

Instead, the Aim Plastic Free challenge provides gentle daily reminders and tips for succeeding. Not too hard, but also not too easy – just enough to keep you headed in the right direction.

2. Habit stacking

Another trick from James Clear is habit stacking. With habit stacking, you attach a habit you want to begin with one you already have.

You likely already have many habits ingrained in your routine, but struggle to remember to act on new plastic free habits.

For example, you probably make breakfast each morning, but maybe you also always forget to bring a reusable mug to the coffee shop. By using habit stacking, you add the habit of packing your reusable coffee cup to your previous habit of making breakfast. Set the cup out next to your breakfast items for an extra reminder.

The Aim challenge helps you think of new habits you’d like to form, and ways to incorporate them into your life. Choose the habits that work for you and add them into your existing routine with habit stacking!

3. Daily tracker

One of the most powerful habit-forming tactics is a daily tracker. The Aim challenge gives you a monthly calendar (if you need a copy, find it in the Facebook group) with small prompts each day. Checking off each day will help you build your plastic free habits!

This is another James Clear tactic. It works because the visual cue reminds you of the action you want to take. It’s motivating to look back at the progress made, while also making you want to avoid breaking a long-running streak. It’s also super satisfying to note your progress in the moment, as you go.

Strength in numbers

Creating new habits is difficult – doing it by yourself? Even harder! When you join the challenge, you’ll feel all the love and support from the Aim Plastic Free community.

Follow along and share on Instagram, or join the Facebook group for extra motivation! Our community of close to 10,000 are ready to support you on the journey and keep you going, even when it gets tough! Together, we’ve got this!!

Ready to start saying no to single use plastic and form a plastic free habit? Start with a single-month challenge – you can sign up here if you haven’t already!