Confessions of a Healthy Lifestyle Blogger: Non-toxic living doesn’t have to be perfect

This is something that I wanted to be sure I share as eloquently as possible, an important share for the sanity of all who venture into the world of healthy living. I am going to let you in on a little secret.. You do NOT have to completely swear off baked goods, give away all of your kids’ plastic toys, or immediately throw out your entire make up collection to trade in for a healthy lifestyle. Yes, you heard me.. I, Healthy Lifestyle Blogger of Bloom & Clementine, am telling you that sometimes perfectionism in ANY aspect of your life can be more detrimental than allowing a few “toxic” elements slip into your life. Now, I don’t want to completely confuse everyone here, if you’ve followed my blog you know that I have adopted a healthy way of living which includes green beauty, healthy choices for my family, making my own cleaning products, etc. I share my way of living, eating, as well as educate people on the toxicity of most conventional products and what to swap them out for. I am the biggest advocate for healthier choices overall, and believe that the more we educate each other on these topics, there is a better chance that the companies throwing together concoctions of different poisons and labelling them “safe” will slowly die out. I also believe that knowledge is power and that everyone should have a good understanding of what it is these companies are putting into your self care products, your food, your household cleaners, amongst many other things.

However, today I wanted to share a message of equal importance to all of you and hopefully you will take it in and feel at ease. It is OKAY if you have a favourite drug store bought blush, or like to indulge in a cupcake, or you just really love the scent of that bath & body works candle so you keep it around to enjoy occasionally. Adopting a healthy lifestyle does not mean you have to give up everything and be perfect. I too, have my vices and I indulge in the occasional pizza, still own a drug store mascara that I use on special occasions when I want some va-va-voom lashes, and use blue dawn dish soap in the most amazing stain remover recipe I’ve ever tried (and I won’t give it up.. No ladies, this Mama NEEDS her stain removal fairy). I use these vices in the smallest doses and while I don’t recommend them overall, I refuse to hold onto anxiety for not being ‘perfect’ in my journey towards ultimate health.

Instead, I believe in ‘Harm Reduction’.. This term comes from my years of working in the Mental Health field, before having my baby girl and becoming a stay at home Mom. It is a term and a way of living that I’ve carried with me ever since I learned about its power to empower people and their choices. In the world of health care, it is a way of reducing harm as best as possible while working through an illness. It allows the person to adjust to big changes they are making within themselves and not feel guilty or judged for holding onto some self preserving behaviours that may not be the healthiest. In my early twenties, I beat a long standing eating disorder. Rather than being admitted to a hospital program where they feed high calorie meals (which is not the root of the problem in the first place) and potentially relapse following discharge, I opted for therapy in conjunction with harm reduction.. I introduced what I called “safe foods” slowly over time while receiving therapy. I was autonomous in this journey, I was able to take it at my own pace, all while reducing the harm by slowly gaining nutrition. I did not feel guilty if I slipped up and I did not feel judged. I now apply this method to my everyday life. I use it to avoid the slippery spiral of perfection and instead replace it with Balance. 

I began this blog in hopes that I could share my lifestyle and perhaps make the transition to green living easier on those who want to make “the switch”. I do this because I made the switch for years without guidance and found myself overwhelmed, unsure, and discouraged. I think it is SO important to know what goes into our bodies, on our bodies, and in our environment. This article is not my way of renouncing my belief in a greener world and safer products. The goal of this article is to assure that you never read my articles and worry that you are not “hitting that mark of perfection” when it comes to leading a healthier lifestyle. Take this transition at your own pace, really take the time to find healthier alternatives that you LOVE to replace your drug store products or food choices, and allow yourself an indulgence every once in a while. We only live once.. So while it is important to be mindful of what we ingest both internally and externally for optimal health, it is also important not to overburden ourselves with perfectionistic ideals. So going forward, when you read my articles know that I am sharing the best of the best in green living to give you as many amazing recommendations to make a healthy transition EASIER on you.. not harder! Use my blog as a guideline, not a ‘one size fits all’ approach to health. Take what works for you and leave what doesn’t behind. I come by this ‘crunchy’ lifestyle honestly and never want to make anyone feel they are not doing enough! Don’t become discouraged because of others’ seemingly ‘perfect’ lives on blogs or instagram. They are simply trying to give you inspiration, not a complex!

Every little step towards a healthier life is a GREAT one that you should be PROUD of!

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