6 simple steps to making new habits that actually stick
January always arrives with the promise of fresh starts, but here’s the honest truth - the bigger the resolution, the faster it tends to be forgotten about. In fact, 1 in 4 of us give up our New Year’s resolutions within the first week alone. And when you’re juggling family life, work, sleep (or sometimes lack of it!), it’s no surprise that big lifestyle overhauls just don’t fit in.
But building healthy new year habits that stick doesn’t have to feel overwhelming, and it definitely doesn’t have to mean turning your entire routine upside down. In reality, it’s the simple, sustainable swaps you weave into your everyday life that make the biggest impact. That’s exactly where Kit & Kin comes in. From eco-friendly nappies and hypoallergenic wipes to plant-based cleaning products, we create easy, low-effort changes that help your family live cleaner, greener and more consciously in 2025.
If you’re ready to make this the year your habits actually last, here are 6 easy steps to help you get there in a way that’s manageable and measurable.
Step 1: Set small, measurable goals
Healthy habits stick best when they’re realistic and trackable. Instead of setting big, vague goals like ‘live more sustainably or ‘be healthier this year’, break them down into smaller, specific actions that fit naturally into your routine. Maybe it’s switching to plant-based cleaning products for your kitchen, trying recycled toilet roll for the first time, or choosing eco nappies for everyday changes.
When your goals are simple and measurable, like making one eco-friendly family swap each month, it’s much easier to stay motivated. Small wins create momentum, and momentum is what makes those new habits last. This approach is not only more manageable, but it also helps you build a routine that genuinely improves your wellbeing and reduces your environmental impact, without needing massive lifestyle changes.
Step 2: Choose habits that fit into the life you already have
The easiest habits to maintain are the ones that don’t require more time, energy or planning than you already have. That’s why habit stacking and ‘upgrade, don’t overhaul’ techniques are so effective. You don’t need extra tasks, you need better versions of the ones you’re already doing every day.
Instead of adding new chores or commitments to your to-do list, simply switch the essentials you already use to healthier, more sustainable alternatives. If you have little ones, you’ll always need nappies, so choosing plant-based, eco-friendly nappies instantly becomes an effortless new eco habit. You’ll always need to clean up after meals, so swapping to naturally derived non-toxic cleaning sprays or eco washing up liquid turns something you already do into a daily win. You’ll always buy toilet roll, so choosing a recycled, unbleached option takes zero extra effort, but makes a measurable difference.
Healthy habits for families become much easier when they blend seamlessly into real life, without the extra workload.
Step 3: Make it effortless with subscriptions, refills and fewer decisions
One of the biggest reasons habits fail is decision fatigue - when everyday choices pile up, our brains get tired, and the easy, familiar option suddenly wins. Subscriptions and refill systems remove those barriers completely, making consistency the path of least resistance.
With our Kit & Kin subscription service, your eco nappies and hypoallergenic wipes will arrive exactly when you need them. No last-minute supermarket dashes, no running out of essentials when you need them, and no mental load of remembering what needs topping up. Automatic deliveries turn your healthy choices into an easy set-and-forget habit, helping you stay consistent all year long.
Our cleaning refill pouches make it even simpler. Instead of constantly buying new bottles or remembering which cleaning spray you’re out of, you can top up your reusable bottles in seconds while cutting down on waste. It’s a low-effort routine that saves time, money and plastic - the kind of habit that practically sticks itself!
Step 4: Try simple swaps that make a big impact
When it comes to creating more sustainable habits, the magic lies in choosing changes that feel small but add up to something meaningful.
One of the easiest ways to do that is by choosing to shop with a certified B Corp. It means your purchases support a business committed to fair trade, responsible production and strong environmental and social values. As a registered B Corp, Kit & Kin goes beyond creating gentle, plant-based products - we work with the World Land Trust to actively support projects that help to protect our planet.
Through our partnership with the World Land Trust, every nappy subscription helps protect five rainforest trees, while also supporting women and children in remote communities with access to education and essential healthcare. And every cleaning product you buy contributes to the WLT’s mission to remove 1 million plastic bottles from rivers and oceans in Guatemala, protecting wildlife and supporting the local fishing economy.
These simple, sustainable swaps might feel small day to day, but together they create real, lasting impact. And when you know the choices you make are making a genuine difference, you’re far more likely to keep those habits going.
Step 5: Track progress in a way that works for you
Tracking your progress doesn’t have to mean spreadsheets, apps or anything complicated. The aim is simply to notice your wins so your brain rewards you for sticking with your new habits. For some families, that might mean bookmarking your monthly subscription email, so you can keep track of all of those eco swaps adding up. For others, it might be as simple as making a quick note on your phone, or giving yourself a pat on the back when you refill a cleaning bottle instead of throwing away another single-use one.
Healthy habits don’t have to be perfect, they just need to be repeated. And the more you recognise your efforts, the easier it becomes to stay consistent.
Step 6: Celebrate the wins - even the tiny ones!
Every sustainable choice you make, whether that’s swapping to plant-based cleaners, switching to eco nappies, choosing recycled toilet roll, or using refillable bottles, is a win for your home, your family and the planet. And celebrating those little wins is what helps you keep going. Maybe it’s the first month you didn’t run out of nappies. Or the moment you realised your cleaning cupboard is now full of natural formulas instead of harsh chemicals. Or even the simple satisfaction of knowing your lifestyle feels cleaner, greener and easier all at once.
Celebration doesn’t have to be anything big. It could be pausing to feel proud, sharing your progress with your partner or a friend, or ticking off a small goal on your phone. You could even make a list of ‘little eco wins’ on the fridge for the whole family to help with, or mark down the first time you refill a bottle instead of throwing one away. However you choose to acknowledge it, recognising your progress reinforces the habit and reminds you that these small changes do really add up.
The takeaway? Start small, stay consistent
Healthy habits in the new year don’t have to be complicated. In fact, the simpler they are, the more likely they are to stick. By choosing measurable goals, upgrading the products you already use and leaning on effortless systems like refills and subscriptions, you can build a cleaner, more sustainable lifestyle that supports your family’s wellbeing all year long.
You don’t need a total life overhaul - simple, everyday swaps can make a big difference. And with Kit & Kin in your corner, making healthy, eco-friendly habits stick has never been easier.
TL;DR? Here are the 6 steps you need to take to make those healthy new year resolutions stick.
Step 1: Set small, measurable goals
Step 2: Choose habits that fit into the life you already have
Step 3: Make it effortless with subscriptions and refills
Step 4: Try simple swaps that make a big impact
Step 5: Track progress in a way that works for you
Step 6: Celebrate the wins - even the tiny ones!
FAQs
How do I make healthy habits stick in the New Year?
Healthy habits stick when they’re simple, measurable and easy to repeat. Instead of trying to overhaul your entire lifestyle, start with small, manageable changes - like swapping to eco nappies, choosing natural skincare, plant-based cleaning products or using refillable bottles. These everyday actions slot into your existing routine, making them much easier to maintain long-term.
What are some easy eco-friendly swaps for busy families?
The easiest sustainable swaps are the ones that replace products you already use. Switching to plant-based cleaning sprays, eco-friendly nappies, non-toxic baby wipes, natural skincare without the nasties, or recycled toilet roll are quick, low-effort changes that make an immediate difference. With Kit & Kin subscriptions and refills, you can keep these eco swaps going without even thinking about it.
Why are small changes better than big resolutions?
Big resolutions can feel overwhelming and often lead to burnout. Small changes - like choosing naturally derived cleaning products or using recycled bathroom essentials - are much more achievable. Replacing products one at a time avoids those big, overwhelming life overhauls - and because they fit into your everyday routine, they build momentum and become long-term habits that have a genuine impact on your health and home.
How can subscriptions help me stick to my sustainable goals?
Subscriptions remove the mental load and decision fatigue that often derail good intentions. With a Kit & Kin subscription, your eco nappies and wipes arrive exactly when you need them, making those healthy new habits automatic. No last-minute dashes to the shops or running out of your essentials!
What are the benefits of choosing to shop with a B Corp?
Choosing a certified B Corp means supporting a brand that uses business as a force for good, meeting high standards for the environment, ethical production and social impact. Kit & Kin’s eco-friendly nappies, non-toxic cleaning products, natural skincare and hypoallergenic baby wipes not only care for your family, but also help protect rainforest habitats, support community healthcare and remove plastic from rivers and oceans through our charity projects.
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