A Rollercoaster Week: From Setbacks to New Motivation

In true ADHD fashion, I completely forgot to post on Sunday. Honestly, I had a rough weekend. On Saturday, I got the news that I didn’t land the job I mentioned in my last post. I spent most of that day pretty bummed out, but by Sunday morning I woke up with a new sense of urgency to focus on my business. I ended up down a Mel Robbins YouTube rabbit hole, and let me tell you—it lit a fire under me to get moving again.

Of course, reality is reality, and until Eco Sloth Refillery LLC is up and running, I still need a paycheck. Funny enough, my stepson is also job-hunting, so we signed up for a program that helps people get jobs. We’ll be going four days a week for four hours at a time, learning interviewing skills, polishing resumes, and eventually attending a job fair with employers who are hiring. It’s actually been a lot more motivating than I expected—talking about goals and work you actually enjoy has me thinking even more about how to build a business I love.

Speaking of motivation, I have some really exciting news—I got accepted into a program for veteran entrepreneurs! It kicks off September 4th and runs once a week for seven weeks. I’m so excited to learn how to start this business the right way and build something sustainable (literally and figuratively).

On a more personal note, there’s some big change coming for our family. My husband is headed to Oklahoma for a long work assignment—likely about two years. That means it’s going to be me and the kids holding down the fort here in Florida. He’ll come home when he can, but with an 18-hour drive between us, it won’t be as often as before.

Now onto a swap story: bamboo toilet paper. It worked just fine, and I loved that it came wrapped in paper instead of plastic, but wow—it was pricey compared to my usual brand. Honestly, I think the real solution might be finally trying a bidet. From what I’ve read, it cuts way down on toilet paper use. Some people even go full “unpaper” toilet paper with a bidet, but let’s be real—I don’t think I can convince my whole family to get on board with that. That might be a solo swap just for me.

One swap that has stuck? Zero-waste laundry sheets. I wasn’t sold on the scent at first, but I added a little essential oil to the pack, and it’s much better. My husband—who’s been less than thrilled about this whole zero-waste lifestyle—folded his laundry the other night and said, “They’re definitely doable.” That’s basically a five-star review coming from him, so I’m calling it a win.

So yeah, last week had its low points, but this week I’m moving forward with a lot more motivation and excitement for what’s ahead.

Eco Tip of the Week: If you’re curious about a bidet but not ready to commit to a full installation, start small. There are affordable, easy-to-install bidet attachments that hook right onto your existing toilet. You’ll drastically cut down on toilet paper use, save money in the long run, and give the planet a break.

Another week and still unemployed....but there is hope

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Another Sunday, and I’m still on the job hunt—but I have a good feeling this week is going to bring a change. Tomorrow, I have a second interview with a BBQ place in town. Now, it’s been almost 30 years since I worked in food service, and I swore “never again,” but this one has a twist. The position is for a Community Ambassador, which means not all my time will be stuck inside the restaurant. If I land the job, I’ll share more details next week.

A couple of perks stood out right away: it’s only nine minutes from my house (no more highway commuting!), and the hours are actually human—open at 11am, closed by 9pm. No early mornings, no closing shifts that stretch past midnight. This will give me more time to work on Eco Sloth Refillery LLC. 

I also did a quick trial shift on Friday, just to get a feel for the place, and something big jumped out at me: they don’t recycle glass bottles or cans. They do recycle cardboard, which is good, but oh boy… if I get this job, fixing that will be near the top of my to-do list. Composting would be a dream too, though I know that’ll be a tougher sell.

On the home front, this week’s swap was to bamboo toilet paper and bamboo toothbrushes. I tried the toothbrush first—super soft bristles and a smaller head than I’m used to. Honestly, not my favorite as an adult, but I think it’d be great for kids. The toilet paper, though, was a win. We tried the Betterway brand. My husband thought it was a little rough, but I liked that I needed to use less than regular TP. Big family = lots of toilet paper, so that’s a big deal. It’s pricier than the standard stuff, but the packaging is plastic-free, and bamboo grows so much faster than trees—it’s basically nature’s overachiever. Trust me, I have a bamboo invasion trying to take over my fence!

I also experimented with making my own dry shampoo this week. I followed a simple recipe: baking soda + cornstarch + cocoa powder (for dark hair) + a few drops of essential oil. I poured it into a spice jar with a shaker lid, and while it’s messier than the spray versions, it worked decently well. I’ll keep testing recipes until I find the perfect one, but for now, it’s a fun, cheap, and waste-free option.

🌱 Eco Tip of the Week: Save your glass jars! Instead of tossing them in the recycling bin, wash them out and reuse them for leftovers, homemade scrubs, or even as little planters. It’s an easy swap that keeps waste out of the recycling stream and saves you money on storage containers. Your family may look at you like you are nuts for saving "trash", but it will be worth it in the end. 

Small Swaps for a Greener Home (and a Happier Planet)

Switching to eco-friendly products can feel expensive, but sometimes it’s just about choosing items in more sustainable packaging. This week, I made a simple change: instead of buying cat litter in a plastic container, I picked one packaged in a recyclable cardboard box. It was an easy swap that didn’t cost more, and when it’s empty, I can toss it right in the recycling bin.

You can do the same thing with a lot of everyday products. Take body wash, for example. Instead of the usual plastic bottle, I’ve started looking at bar soap. There are so many varieties and price points out there. Honestly, I’d never bought bar soap for my home until I tried solid shampoo last week. I always thought bar soap was kind of gross—especially when it got soggy—and I wasn’t thrilled at the idea of people rubbing it directly on their skin without a washcloth.

Then I discovered soap saver bags. They keep bars from turning to mush, make them easier to lather, and give each family member their own soap and bag. If someone wants to go “direct to skin,” that’s their choice, and it’s not shared. Bonus: bar soap lasts longer than bottled body wash, so you save money while cutting down on plastic waste.

My next swap is going to be compostable trash bags. I’ll admit, I’m nervous. My family creates a lot of trash—less than we used to since we started recycling and composting—but still a lot. My kids have a habit of cramming as much as possible into the kitchen trash can, so I’m worried the bags might tear. We’ll see how it goes.

I’m also trying plastic-free laundry detergent and fabric softener this week. This will be a tough change for my husband, who loves Gain and Snuggle. But all those plastic bottles add up, and I’m ready to make the switch. I’m buying laundry sheets, fabric softener sheets, and even recycled toilet paper. This toilet paper is 3-ply, so I’m hoping we’ll use less—because we go through a lot. It’s pricier than the store-brand I usually buy, but it’s better for the planet. And no, we’re not ready for cloth toilet “paper.” That’s one swap I don’t think my family would agree to anytime soon (especially without a bidet!).

On the business front, things are moving forward with Eco Sloth Refillery LLC. The LLC paperwork and tax ID are done, and I’m setting up the website and picking products. I’m a little stuck in the process, so I may need to get some extra help—but I’ll get there. I plan on selling versions of all the eco-friendly products listed above on my website and in-person, so keep an eye out! 

What about you? What swaps are you trying in your home? Share them in the comments below or on the blog’s Facebook page—I’d love to hear your ideas. Blog's FB page

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Eco-Friendly Tip of the Day: Before buying a new eco-friendly product, see if there’s a similar version in recyclable or compostable packaging. Sometimes the most sustainable choice is simply changing the container, not the product itself.

Big news!

Here's a little life update mixed with exciting news and, as always, some sustainable tips!

I'm still on the job hunt, having applied to over 200 positions through LinkedIn and Indeed. Thankfully, it's all digital these days—can you imagine having to fill out hundreds of paper applications and driving around town like we used to? Yikes!

On a brighter note, my husband’s work contract in Georgia ended, and he's finally back home with us for a while. It’s great to have him here again.

Now, here's something I haven't shared much about yet—my stepson, Javy. He’s 28, has an intellectual disability, and recently came to live with us due to some personal family circumstances. Javy is one of the kindest souls you’ll ever meet, constantly checking on me throughout the day (he worries I'm upset, but honestly, it’s just my resting B-face!). Unfortunately, his disability makes holding a traditional job challenging, as misunderstandings with coworkers often leave him feeling overwhelmed and frustrated.

Javy’s struggles inspired me to finally chase a long-held dream: starting my own business. It’s called Eco Sloth Refillery, where customers can refill their own containers with household essentials like shampoo, body wash, and hand soap. We’ll also carry sustainable products like dryer balls and compostable toothbrushes. Our goal is to start small—farmers' markets, pop-up events, and even a local delivery service—with plans for a website and store down the road.

The real beauty of this business idea is creating a supportive work environment for Javy. Together, we'll be our own bosses, understanding each other’s strengths and challenges, aiming for happiness and fulfillment more than wealth (though I won’t say no if it comes knocking!).

I’ll keep you posted on our journey—wish us luck!

Eco-Friendly Tip of the Day: Try switching to solid shampoo and conditioner bars. I recently made the swap and was surprised at how healthy and soft my hair feels! Plus, the packaging says one conditioner bar can replace five bottles—talk about reducing plastic waste! Just a heads up: sniff before you buy if possible, so you find a scent you love. I tried one recently and while I love the outcome, the smell leaves a lot to be desired. I'll post a picture below.