Nail care
This morning, my partner and I were discussing our new creative activity - sharing our practice and theory via posting videos online and engaging in subsequent conversations with our fellow humans. What should our next video be about?, we asked. There are so many things we want to share and discuss with others! Our academic work, our approach to pregnancy and parenting, our everyday practices of relating with food, home, success, time and space. I don't prefer any one type of discussion over others. For example, to me sharing our theory of sustainability transformations that we outlined in many of our academic works is no more important than sharing what we eat and what I use to care for my body. I strongly believe in the importance of everyday practices, both material and spiritual. They are the space where we reproduce and transform social structures.
We talked about doing a bathroom tour. We've already invited our fellow humans into our home in general, our kitchen and even our bedroom where our wardrobe is located. The bathroom is one of my most favourite spaces in our home, alongside the balcony. It makes me think about the beginning of my minimalist journey and my early attempts to live zero-waste. It also makes me think about my fellow women, e.g., by mother and grandmother, who would spend hours in their bathrooms in front of mirrors to prepare for the day or for going out. It's also a space where I can be with Water, something that I find healing.
My fellow humans who visit my home are often surprised by the amount of things I have in my bathroom. There is almost nothing. I don't wear makeup and haven't worn it for around 15 years. I don't wear perfume. My skincare consists of soap and a balm that I use for everything (face, lips, hair, hands, body). My partner and I share many items, such as the razor (though I don't shave very often), scissors, shampoo, toothpaste, and even our crystal deodorant. Something that I haven't had in my bathroom or anywhere else in my home since my early 20s (I'm 36 now) are nail care items.
My nail care consists of keeping my nails short (I use scissors and never file my nails) and using the same balm I use for everything else.
Initially, I kept my nails short because of my autoimmune skin condition. As a young child, I used to scratch my skin. Doctors recommended to keep my nails short so as to avoid damaging the skin and introducing bacteria under it.
While the skin condition is lifelong and I still live with it, it improved substantially when I began to use basic skincare, avoid perfumes and various other substances, and synthetic textiles. I could perhaps grow out my nails and try different nail care products and nail polish, I fell in love with short nails and a simple, natural look. I tried using nail polish to see if it was something I liked, but it was not for me. I also didn't enjoy the scent of nail polish and its remover either.
In my early 20s, I lived with a young dog and young cats who would often playfully bite my hands. I didn't want them to ingest anything that could potentially harm them. So I decided not to invite into my life any items that are sold specifically for nails. Maintaining a natural and simple look feels most authentic to me.
None of it is to say that fellow humans should relate with their nail care and nail colours in the same way as I do. For example, my grandmother has worn the same shade of nail polish her whole life. It's an important part of her signature look. Yet, if a fellow human feels inclined to avoid using nail polish and adopt simplified nail care, I believe they should do just that and observe how they feel about it.
