Natural Living for People Who Are Tired

There’s a version of “natural living” online that feels like a full-time job.

Homemade everything.
Perfectly organized pantries.
Elaborate morning routines.
From-scratch dinners seven nights a week.

And if you’re in a season where you’re just trying to keep everyone fed, get to work on time, and maybe remember to drink water… it can feel like you’re failing.

I want to offer something different.

I call it the 5% Rule.

Instead of overhauling your life, ask:

What would make this week 5% easier?

Not 50%.
Not a full reset.
Not a transformation.

Just five percent.

Because most of us aren’t burned out from doing nothing.
We’re burned out from trying to do everything.

Why Big Resets Don’t Stick

Every time we attempt a dramatic lifestyle shift: new diet, new routine, new system, new everything, we’re adding more decisions.

More rules.
More mental load.
More pressure.

And decision fatigue is real.

When your brain is already managing:
• family schedules
• work
• meals
• texts
• appointments
• emotional labor

…adding “optimize my entire life” to the list doesn’t help.

It overwhelms.

The 5% rule works because it respects your energy.

What 5% Looks Like in Real Life

Here are some examples of 5% shifts I actually use:

In the Kitchen

Buy fruit that doesn’t have to be cut: apples, bananas, pears
Use frozen organic vegetables.
Pick up a rotisserie chicken instead of cooking from scratch.
Repeat the same 5 dinners each week. salmon, tacos, chicken, some kind of sandwich, crock pot meal

You don’t need a new meal plan; you need fewer decisions.

In Your Home

One laundry day instead of constantly doing loads. (I do mine on the weekend.) Also, my kids do their own laundry.
Throw away five things every Sunday.
Run the dishwasher every night no matter what.

Small shifts reduce background stress.

In Wellness

Add a green packet to my water every day.
Protein and fiber at breakfast. My go-to lately is chia seed pudding.
Phone on do not disturb from 9 pm - 9 am.
Earlier bedtime instead of a complicated night routine. I try to be laying in bed by 9:30.

Low energy habits > high intensity plans.

Natural Living Without the Pressure

Natural living does not require:
• making your own cleaners
• baking sourdough weekly (even though I do this and love it, it might. not be for you.)
• eliminating every processed ingredient
• saying no to convenience

Sometimes the most sustainable version of “natural” is buying the better option at the store and moving on.

Frozen vegetables count.
Paper plates, once a week count.
Store-bought broth counts.

If it reduces stress and keeps your family fed, it counts.

Sustainable Beats Impressive

The goal isn’t to look disciplined.

The goal is to build a life you can maintain when you’re tired.

The 5% rule allows you to:
• stay consistent
• lower your expectations
• reduce mental clutter
• make steady progress

And steady progress compounds.

You don’t need a new version of yourself this spring.

You need relief.

Start with five percent.

Share what you try.

XO,

Sarah

The 5% Rule