Content related to Home Repairs, Projects, and Crafts
Over the past few years, several people I know have been washing their hair less often, usually about once a week (as was done in the 1950s). I have taken this trend to the extreme, mostly to see what would happen. Is it possible to retain a professional (or at least socially acceptable) look without washing your hair for two years? I like to think so.
Getting back from a restorative two-week vacation, I talked a big game about making time for myself on a regular basis. Recognizing that I’m in a job with higher stakes than I’ve ever had before and that my physical and mental health could be at stake if I don’t make myself a priority, it’s time to make good on that claim.
We have a wealth of options when it comes to beauty supplies, and a growing number of conscientious consumers are pushing for more ethical and environmentally friendly products. As usual, it does seem that the less we use, the better. In the conclusion of this series, I explore do it yourself options that result in a lighter footprint on the environment and human rights.
When I started researching this topic, I expected the result to be a quick, one-part summary of the health effects of common chemicals in nail polish. I did not expect the wealth of information I found on public health concerns related to nail salons, especially the racial equity issues faced by workers who commonly experience a range of health problems related to occupational hazards.
As someone who uses very few beauty products, I never expected to focus on them in a blog post. However, access to nail salons and habits at home have changed during the pandemic, raising questions about long-term trends. And the examination of those things also brought to light questions of health – both for people who wear nail polish and people who work in salons.
Runners know that injuries aren’t a matter of “if,” but “when.” With proper care and caution, you can often prevent repetitive use injuries; by ignoring what your body is trying to tell you, you can create them. The fibrous knot I’ve had in my foot for eight years may not have been caused by running, but my running habits have certainly made it worse.
With age, I have come to appreciate well-made products that keep ergonomics in mind. One such product, a “kneeling chair,” showed up in an online ad. I was skeptical but did some research about its benefits and decided to try it out. My parents got me one for Christmas, and it has been a welcome part of my home office ever since.
Now that I am fully vaccinated, I should be excited about seeing friends and family again, but the prospect of socializing has filled me with more anxiety than relief. I’ve gotten used to a quieter, more mindful existence over the past year, and as “returning to normal” looms on the horizon, I can admit that there are some things I don’t want back.
After eight weeks of Marie Kondo’s challenge, I can see small improvements throughout my house, but there’s a long way to go before reaching the goals I set in Week 1. Through this journey, the real transformation has not been with my things, but with me. By practicing mindful, daily gratitude for the last two months, I do feel more joy – and that is magical.
“Storage experts are hoarders,” says Marie Kondo. My struggle through the Miscellaneous category continues as I organize and store consumable goods that still that I can’t donate but can’t bring myself to trash. Our storage space is currently limited by roof and attic work, making the process even more frustrating, but hopefully keeping me more honest about what has a place in my future.