Updated: March 22, 2021
Originally Published: Oct. 19, 2015
As a 44-year-old, college-educated mother of four, I’ve always prioritized my family’s needs. I dedicated myself to breastfeeding, crafted homemade baby food as they transitioned to solids, and prepared nutritious meals each night using fresh ingredients, including the essential organic coconut oil. I ensured their homework was completed, got to know their teachers, chaperoned school trips, and even gifted the bus drivers (yes, even for middle school). I’ve volunteered as a room parent and taught Vacation Bible School every July at our church.
I strive to purchase organic products, avoid soda and juice, recycle everything—even toilet paper rolls—and I prefer ghee and high-quality olive oil over inferior blends. I limit screen time and encourage outdoor play. My online browsing includes topics like minimalism, paleo diets, grass-fed meats, supporting local farms, and steering clear of GMOs. I even grow my own organic vegetables and flowers, collect rainwater, and compost as much as I can. However, I’ve come to realize that this whirlwind of “healthy” living has come at a significant cost: my mental well-being.
Here’s a little secret: I still use deodorant that contains aluminum and shampoo with sulfates. I’ve always relied on an electric blanket during chilly nights, just like my parents did. Although I experimented with no-poo methods that left my hair looking a bizarre reddish-brown, I also tried chemical-free deodorants that had me smelling like a sweaty construction worker before I even left the house.
I once read about the health benefits of adding butter to coffee, so naturally, I tried it with organic grass-fed butter. After two sips of that oily concoction, I deemed it undrinkable and regrettably poured it down the drain—what a waste! I have friends who concoct their own all-natural deodorants, yet I’ve seen reports of rashes from the frequent application of baking soda.
In my quest for health, I even switched to pink Himalayan salt for its purported mineral benefits. But then, during a sleepless night, I stumbled upon a study suggesting a higher risk of uranium in Himalayan salt, prompting me to wonder: is a trace amount of radiation worse than a chemically processed salt? Yes, pink Himalayan salt kept me up at night.
This obsessive focus on “First World problems” became overwhelming. Thoughts of whether my kids were receiving enough magnesium, the debate over grass-fed versus conventional chicken, and concerns about arsenic in rice began to take up too much mental space. Enough was enough!
A college friend and I tried the same no-poo conditioner, only to face disappointing results. Shouldn’t natural be better for us and the environment? After exchanging texts about how our hair felt like straw and the struggle to comb through it, I decided I was done. I returned the products and reverted to my usual routine of shampoo and conditioner.
I’m ready to accept potential trade-offs for my mental peace. So, I’ll stick with my trusty Secret deodorant, my classic shampoo, and that cozy electric blanket during those frigid winter nights. The emotional toll of trying to be perfectly organic and healthy was making everything feel wrong.
Growing up in the 1970s and ’80s, I indulged in Twinkies, Pop-Tarts, and Chef Boyardee while enjoying Scooby-Doo and The Brady Bunch. I loved the smell of gasoline as my dad filled the car and rode my bike without a helmet. Even though my mom received weekly mercury injections during her pregnancy with me (a mystery I still ponder), I’m healthy, as are my parents, who grew up inhaling secondhand smoke in tightly rolled-up cars.
I’m a risk-taker, and I’m reclaiming my sanity. So pass me my Secret deodorant, some regular shampoo, and crank up the electric blanket.
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In summary, while striving for a healthy lifestyle is commendable, the pressure to do everything perfectly can lead to unnecessary stress. Embracing a balance—where convenience and mental well-being take precedence—might be the key to reclaiming your sanity.