Why I choose natural: 3 simple reasons for a happier life

There are so many ways we can opt for a more natural alternative these days; in our skincare, the food we buy, the products we clean our homes with and the fabrics our clothes are made of. They often cost more and, in the case of beauty products at least, they don’t always last as long once opened. There are many different benefits of natural over synthetic (of which each could have it’s own separate blog post!), but there is one significant positive for me… simplicity.

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There was a time in my life, not too long ago, where I felt completely overwhelmed - with life, with work, with motherhood - with all of the choices each part brings, all of the decisions, all of the mental noise. The gravity of each choice would weigh on me. What if I made the wrong decision? What kind of impact would that have on my health, the planet, my children? I know this may seem dramatic - and I am prone to sweating the small stuff now and then - but I am an over-thinker by nature, and some of these little things can add up to, well, big things! I’m also indecisive which is not a great combination if you’re striving for peace of mind.

After watching a string of documentaries as well as reading a load of different articles, blog posts and online advice about the impact of pollution within your own home, let alone the environment, I decided it was time to use up what I had left and then gradually replace it all with a natural alternative. The journey has actually been a lot of fun - and what I didn’t realise is that it would make my life a whole lot simpler.

Less stuff

Since ‘going natural’ our bathroom products have reduced dramatically. The shampoo I use is now suitable for the kids too, so we all share. Same with the soap - no more flowery stuff for me and manly stuff for Floyd - we buy a big box of citrus-y (or whatever) natural soap from our local wholesaler and it does the lot of us (and smells gorgeous too). Many cleaning sprays will work for your kitchen, your bathroom, on wood, glass… the great thing about cleaning with natural ingredients is that one thing has many uses. Again, this could have a blog post all of its own.

Less choice

Now I’m not saying there isn’t a whole load of wonderful, natural cleaning and cosmetic products out there - there definitely is! But as most of it isn’t stocked in my local supermarket, or at Boots or other nearby and convenient shops, I tend to go for what’s available to me. If I like it I’ll buy it again, if not then I’ll do a bit more research. Simple huh? It’s definitely helped to take away some of the less crucial decisions of the day, which then leaves me more time to ponder on which Netflix series to watch next - which leads me on to the next positive…

Faster decision making

So I’ve already mentioned I’m terrible at making decisions, and often regret the decisions I do end up making (not the big ones thankfully!), so having a personal rule that limits my options helps me to make my mind up. And I need all the help I can get in this area! Just ask anyone that’s been to a restaurant with me - I’m the queen of food-envy.

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So there you have it. By simplifying my choices I’ve managed to also simplify my life and get rid of some of that annoying brain-chatter. It also, helpfully, aligns quite well with my values and concerns around the future of our planet. I have more space in my home and, honestly, everything smells a lot nicer (which is so important to me) - I wouldn’t swap my White Lavender natural shampoo for anything new and fancy L'Oreal came out with!

I’m still near the beginning of my ‘natural’ journey and I know there is so much more to discover: more amazing brands, products and benefits. There is also, of course, making my own natural cleaning and beauty products, which I fully intend to experiment with.

In the meantime, if you are thinking about making some small changes in your lifestyle and have any questions I might be able to answer then please let me know! I am happy to help out in any way I can and hopefully impart some wisdom. Or vice-versa! I’m always open to suggestions :)

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