@mmiranda I was definitely drawn to this group because of the “moderately” part. I am also a minimalist so I’m not one to create waste and spend money by getting rid of perfectly good items. It’s a balance for me
My top 5 suggestions In no particular order:
My top 5 suggestions In no particular order:
- limit fragrances in in household items. For me it’s specifically dishsoap, dishwasher pods, my toddlers lotion and shampoo, laundry detergent, etc are all fragrance free. We also use wool balls in our dryer. I also learned one of my mascaras has fragrance in the ingredients so I stopped using that
- Swap out plastic for silicone and glass in the kitchen. I still have some plastic stuff right now but I use my glass first for storage and I avoid microwaving food in the plastic. Plan to eventually swap out of non stick pans once I learn how to use cast iron or stainless steel without ruining them
- Buy second hand where you can. This is where for me, minimalism overlaps with granola. Taking care of ourselves also means taking care of our planet. And saving money in one area means you may have extra money for another.
- Don’t blindly believe the EWG and organic industries claims. Stay away from pseudoscience and influencers with NO real credentials. Do your research (actual research like peer reviewed sources. A bias google search, podcasts, and random websites are not research) There is an outrageous amount of fear mongering within the crunchy community.
- Take care of your mental health. It is JUST as important as your physical health. If you tend to get anxious and have OCD like me, it’s not healthy to go too deep into rabbit holes of how to change your lifestyle. Don’t let it consume your mind and interfere with enjoying your life. What’s the point of trying to prolong your life if you aren’t enjoying it?? Start by making changes that are easy and convenient for you. You can’t change your lifestyle overnight. It will all come with time. If you aren’t ready to give something up (for me it’s my personal makeup, hair, and skincare products I know this would be at the top of some people’s lists but I’m not there yet) then don’t. Wait until you’re ready