5 Steps to Simplify.... Personals!

So what does Simplifying "Personals" (you know, the personal stuff we do each day to ourselves) look like? I suppose a great place to start and the best place really is by example, so here is what my "personals" look like on me......with a few suggestions and encouragements for you!

I grew my hair out in order to have easy no-fuss low-cost hair which does not require me to use products or spend precious time or money going to a salon in order to maintain a high-end hairdo. Instead, I cut my own hair. I don't produce any plastic waste with product bottles as I don't use products on my hair nor do I color it even though there are more than a few gray hairs taking up residence! I use baking soda for shampoo as it is an excellent cleaner (look it up!) and apple cider vinegar (and absolute must have in your household) as conditioner which leaves my hair silky and smelling yummy! I do not wear make up as there are too many toxins in it all and even good earth friendly non-toxic-ish ones still produce plastic waste! Besides, I am beautiful as-is and want my daughter to always receive that message, so I practice what I preach in this area! I also don't want to spend my time putting on makeup only to spend more time taking it off! (P.S. my skin looks great and no one guesses my age which I attribute to not using harsh chemicals). After years of no makeup I can truly say, I have never looked better!!

I try to purchase second hand everything but stay away from pre-worn shoes and under garments for the obvious reasons! I do not use nail polish anywhere as it is toxic, remover is toxic, and again, I don't want to convey the message that I need to paint everything in order to be considered pretty! What a terrible image and script we keep sending as women! I don't use perfumes, deodorants (okay, I home make my own but found once I quit using the toxic stuff my body changed and I don't really need any most days!), body washes, bath bubbles, or commercial lotions of any kind. I used to love love love Bath and Body Works, but the plastic waste and toxic chemicals were just too much to keep justifying the use! I use local home made soaps and Epsom salt or Himalayan salt bath soaks with essential oils. I also used to buy local or organic made body lotions but found again, plastic waste was immense (think about how much you use in a year and multiply that over your life and then everyone else's....yikes!) so now I just buy Shea Butter in bulk and melt it. I also love coconut oil and use it for all kinds of wonderful home made products (see my "Recipes" blog) from tooth scrub to body lotion to hair treatment to yummy in my shake! I really like when a product you use on your body (skin absorbs 60-80% of what goes on it) can be ingested....like baking soda, apple cider vinegar and coconut oil!

I go back and forth on eye wear. Glasses are way more Earth and pocket friendly but not so easy in hot summer's or cold winters. For now, I do both and continue to debate it. If I found super comfy cool glasses, I think I would make the permanent switch...and a really cool fashion statement!

So my simple living personal philosophy is simple......less is more! I want more money, time, health, and resources so I don't subscribe to mainstream's idea of what I "should" do / wear /buy / eat / look like! I believe in a healthy, balanced, happy, natural, whole me!

But enough about me, you get the idea and this is a list of 5 for you, so here goes!

Step 1: Hair Products. Figure out and simplify (use none to less!) hair related products. I swear by the baking soda and vinegar. It's easy too, just have 2 small cups with you in the shower: 1 with 2 TBSP of baking soda and the other with 2 TBSP of apple cider vinegar. Use more or less depending on hair length. Add warm water to make baking soda paste and scrub your scalp pulling the mix thru to the ends. Use vinegar straight or dilute with warm water and pour over hair allowing it to sit a few minutes. Watch your eyes! Rinse and enjoy the silky!! Read your hair products and get over using them. We're addicted to them as a society, women especially, and we don't need them....you're beautiful as you are! Gorgeous darling!

Step 2: Hair, hair, and more hair. Get yourself an earth-friendly simple hair style! Then quit shaving all the stuff off that doesn't matter...that is simple too! I found with gluten allergies shaving and regrowing hair was terribly itchy.....so I stopped and now I produce even less waste with razors and the such! Love it! Besides, we are gorgeous as we are, right?!

Step 3: Body Products. Try buying a large jug of coconut oil and Shea Butter (melt them a bit to make them warm and supple!) and see if you don't love these on your skin! They are non-toxic, the larger amounts mean less waste, and you can use them on your skin, in your hair or brush your teeth (which we do!)! And with only 1 or 2 bottles in your closet you now have more space, more time, and a simplified beauty routine! Win-win! If you need a recipe, see my "Recipes" blog!

Step 4. Clothing. I learned that 1 pair of new jeans takes 3,000 gallons of water to make. No, not in the production but actually growing the cotton. This seems unbalanced when others have no clean water at all and we're owning 10 pairs of jeans, wearing our favorite 2! Buying used makes sense and there are lots of great thrift stores, second hand stores (locally it is Plato's Closet), garage sales, and friends who pass on their unwanted stuff to justify buying new all the time. I would love to organize one of those parties where everyone cleans their closets out and brings their unwanted things and then swaps! Fun and Earth-friendly! Remember, even used, it is about simplifying. Non-fussy (NO dry cleaning, really, do I have to rant about it!), multiple purpose, clothes that last more than one washing and can be worn for a variety of occasions are the goal. Nobody needs 10 white shirts, unless those are all the shirts you own! And don't worry, styles come back in style so you don't really need to own the latest....that is just what they tell you to get your money!! Change to thinking simply regarding your clothing: is this what you NEED or what you WANT (okay the psychology behind it is why do you believe you must have it, what hole are you filling, but I digress)? Let go of what you do not need. Sell it (make some cash!) or donate it. Living Simply is all about those 5 R's: refuse, rethink, reduce, reuse, recycle....and a bit of de-cluttering in this case!

Step 5. Everything Else. For all the other personal stuff like, feminine hygiene, or nail files or hair brushes, combs, and jewelry remember less is more! Also remember, non-toxic, eco-friendly, no plastic packaging, and buying used. No you do not need 4 different nail files....they just end up in the landfill...no matter what that slick ad says. Nor do you need to smell like Chanel No. 999, instead try natural essential oils or rose water. Keep it simple, minimalize, de-clutter, buy quality to last, don't forget buying in bulk at your local co-op or health food store to cut down on plastic, and keep in mind that sometimes enough really is enough.

It may be weird at first but I promise you will grow to love it, maybe even become obsessed with it a bit and eventually find your own ways of simplifying you personally!! You will have more time, more money and create less waste and stress! What a beautiful you!!