Bathroom
As I was growing up, I was observing my mother's and grandmother's collection of skin, body and hair "care" items grow. Their bathroom shelves were full of objects. As a child, I was fascinated by all those potions. But then I began to wonder, would I need all this, too? Is it so that as you grow older, you acquire/use/need more? The message of the so-called "beauty" industry is, yes. You need all this and more, and newer things every year, if not every month. At times, my mother and grandmother would buy various creams and other items for me as gifts or simply to try.
I am grateful for my autoimmune skin condition. Though it has caused much suffering and discomfort, it also encouraged me to think about my relationship with objects and products. With textiles, perfumes, skin care items. Creams that claimed to be good for me would sting my skin at best, and cause a long-lasting reaction at worst. Early in my life I realised that using less was better for me. It felt liberating. As if I got permission to not use all those creams and other items. Ever.
In my adulthood, every now and then I would use some natural skin, body and hair care items. These days, in my bathroom my partner and I have only the following: refillable soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, shampoo, a small jar of vaseline, deodorant, and laundry sheets. We share all these items, apart from toothbrushes. I don't use shampoo every day. I wash my face and body with water most of the time. I used to invite natural oils into my life instead of petroleum jelly, but I've noticed that petroleum jelly lasts longer. It doesn't ever seem to go bad.