I started this journey looking for affordable, clean products. I wanted a healthier lifestyle, not one built on trends, but on a simple foundation I could actually maintain. What I didn’t expect was how much more I could do with less. Instead of buying something new for everything, I started asking: can I make this with what I already have?
That question changed everything. That’s what became The JARS Method.
A Personal Note
This didn’t happen quickly for me. It’s taken years of small shifts and I’m still working through it. It really is a one jar at a time process. Especially in a world where we’re constantly being sold something new. Every scroll, every ad, every “must-have” product is a lot to keep up with. I used to buy into it too.
I was trying every wellness trend, reading every label, and paying a premium for it. All while searching for cleaner ingredients and thinking that was the way to live healthier. But it was overwhelming and expensive. Over time, I started simplifying. And what I found was that simpler made me happier and healthier. Cheaper, more natural, and a lot more sustainable.
That shift is what led me here.
1. Start With One Ingredient
You don’t need to change everything. Pick one ingredient: vinegar, olive oil, coconut oil and start using it in multiple ways. That one shift creates momentum.
2. Replace One Product at a Time
Instead of throwing everything out, just replace things as you run out. Swap one cleaner. One skincare product. One pantry item. This is where I started and built from there. Simple changes are what last.
3. Build a Small Pantry Foundation
Focus on a handful of staples you can use over and over again. Ingredients like olive oil, oats, rice, vinegar, and honey can be used in multiple ways. When your kitchen is built on basics, everything becomes easier. Here are the 5 Pantry Staples to start with.
4. Simplify Your Cleaning With Natural Products
You don’t need a different product for every surface. I used to have a cabinet full of cleaners and still felt like I was missing something. When I switched to a few simple natural ingredients, I not only reduced what I was bringing into my home but I actually understood what I was cleaning with. Here are the natural ingredients I use to clean.
5. Create Simple Weekly Resets
Instead of waiting until everything feels overwhelming, build small resets into your week. Even 10 to 15 minutes makes a difference. I started doing this and it changed how manageable my home felt day to day. These small routines add up more than you think.
6. Use What You Already Have
Before buying something new, look at what you already own. Can one ingredient do more than one job? This is where simplicity really starts. When I ran out of something I paused before replacing it and asked if there was a simpler solution. More often than not, there was.
7. Focus on Multi-Use Over More
The goal isn’t to have more “better” products. It’s to have fewer things that do more. One ingredient that works in your kitchen, your cleaning routine, and your self-care is worth more than ten single-use products. That’s the shift that makes this sustainable.
8. Simplify Your Self-Care Routine
You don’t need a long list of products to take care of your skin or hair. I used to try everything, pimple patches, face masks, the latest serums. It felt like I was doing more but I wasn’t seeing better results. Things didn’t improve until I simplified. I started with fewer products and looked for natural ingredients instead. That’s when I actually started to see a difference. The same happened with my hair. Less, but more intentional, works.
9. Let Go of “Perfect” Routines
You don’t need perfect routines. You just need ones you can actually maintain. I used to put a lot of pressure on myself to do everything right, and that pressure made it harder to stay consistent. The more I simplified, the easier it became. The goal isn’t to do more. It’s to create a routine that works for your real life.
10. Give It Time
Simplifying doesn’t happen overnight. Patience isn’t my strong suit so I get it. But when I made too many changes at once I got overwhelmed and didn’t stick to them. Small shifts are what actually last. The more you simplify, the easier everything becomes and the momentum builds on itself. Start where you are. One jar, one shift, one small change at a time.
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