My wellness cabinet

My wellness cabinet used to be a treasure trove of thousand different products each with its own purpose. For years I was carefully choosing each item of personal care products based on brand, scent and colour.

I loved the experience of using these products, feeling clean and smelling good after each use. I still like the smell of those products and sometimes I miss not using them so much anymore. However, as time went on, my perspective began to shift and my wellness cabinet today looks a bit different.

I'm down to:

• 1 shampoo
• 1 soap bar
• 1 deo
• 1 bottle of jojoba oil with lavender which I use for dry hair & skin
• 1 toothpaste

That's it.

What has changed?

It all started with a casual conversation I had with a friend. She was telling me that she has started choosing products more consciously and gave me some book recommendations. In the books I've come across discussions on the potential negative effects of certain ingredients commonly used in popular brands. In the beginning I was very sceptical as I assumed that most of the products approved for sale would be safe. As I continued dealing with the topic I wasn't feeling comfortable using certain products anymore.

My curiosity led me to read more articles and books that pointed out the potential dangers associated with some ingredients commonly found in cosmetics, personal care items, and even processed foods. The more I learned the more I realised that there's a lack of proper regulations in the industry - some countries worth than others.

I gradually replaced conventional products with alternatives that use fewer and safer ingredients. Ever since I've been following people on social media sharing the same lifestyle as I do. I quickly realised that it's actually not too bad to use more natural products.

Shopping cheat sheet

My transition to a more conscious lifestyle came with a bunch of challenges. I soon found myself spending more time in the supermarket studying product labels and reading through an endless list of ingredients.

The majority of the listed components were unfamiliar, leaving me feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about what I was purchasing. To be honest, it became quite frustrating and I ended up buying products I was familiar with or relied on recommendations from friends or like-minded people.

In desperate search of a solution, I thought about creating a shopping cheat sheet—a handy list with common ingredients found in personal care products.

Organising them alphabetically and indicating their degree of harm would simplify the process of choosing the right products. Such a cheat sheet would simplify the process of quickly assessing product labels and making informed decisions. On top of that it would save time and energy during shopping trips.

In a nutshell

For me it's important to keep a balance between being cautious about ingredients and avoiding anxiety.

I have realised the more I read and think about it I get unnecessarily stressed. Instead, I try to choose personal care products with mindfulness, opting for safer alternatives whenever possible while allowing myself and my family to enjoy occasional indulgences, such as the fancy unicorn bathing lotion gifted to my daughter by her grandmother.

This journey has taught me to keep an open mind and continuously seek for safer swaps and brands that prioritise using fewer and more natural ingredients. I believe that making small, conscious changes in our daily routines can have a positive impact on our well-being. That's why I want to work on that shopping cheat sheet to make my life easier. At the point I will have a good version of it I will share it with you on my blog. Keep posted :)