Jumping in as someone who tried to go full Bea Johnson—let’s just say, I was on a first-name basis with the bulk food store by week two! The biggest game-changer for me wasn’t just toting around endless jars (though my biceps certainly appreciated it), but working up the courage to actually refuse freebies, samples, and junk mail. People give you strange looks when you say “no” to things you don’t need, but you get used to it. Oh, and if you ever figure out how to buy cheese without plastic, please tell the rest of us mortals—because right now, cheese is my zero waste kryptonite.