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Living with less, thriving with more.

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  Making Your Own Natural Cleaning and Personal Care Products
  by Hailey
  March 14, 2025

  I used to fill my home with store-bought cleaning supplies and personal care products, never thinking twice about what was inside them. But once I started looking at the ingredients, I realized how many contained harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, and preservatives that I couldn’t even pronounce. That’s when I decided to make my own natural alternatives—and I’ve never looked back.

  Making my own cleaning solutions, soaps, deodorants, and skincare products has been a game-changer. Not only do I know exactly what goes into them, but they’re cheaper, safer, and better for the environment. Plus, they work just as well—if not better—than commercial products. If you’re looking to cut out chemicals and take a more natural approach, here’s how to get started.

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  Why Make Your Own Products?

  When I first started, I wasn’t sure if homemade products would actually be effective. But once I tried them, I was hooked. Here’s why:

  ✔ Fewer toxins – No harsh chemicals like parabens, sulfates, or artificial dyes.
  ✔ Cost-effective – Most homemade cleaners and skincare items use cheap, everyday ingredients.
  ✔ Eco-friendly – No plastic waste, no harmful chemicals going down the drain.
  ✔ Customizable – You control the ingredients, so you can adjust scents, textures, and potency.

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  DIY Natural Cleaning Products

  Most store-bought cleaners contain synthetic fragrances, bleach, and ammonia—all of which can be irritating to the skin and lungs. Instead, I switched to simple, natural ingredients that get the job done just as well.

  1. All-Purpose Cleaner

  This is my go-to for countertops, sinks, and general surfaces.

  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 cup water
  • 10-15 drops essential oil (like lemon, tea tree, or lavender for antibacterial properties)

  💡 Tip: If you don’t like the vinegar smell, infuse it with citrus peels for a few days before using.

  2. Natural Glass & Mirror Cleaner

  Forget the blue liquid—this streak-free cleaner works just as well.

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for extra shine)

  Spray on glass and wipe with a microfiber cloth.

  3. DIY Laundry Detergent

  Most commercial detergents contain artificial fragrances and harsh detergents. Here’s my alternative:

  • 1 bar grated castile soap (or natural unscented soap)
  • 1 cup washing soda
  • 1 cup baking soda
  • 10 drops essential oil (optional)

  Mix and store in a jar. Use 1-2 tablespoons per load.

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  DIY Natural Personal Care Products

  Switching to natural skincare and hygiene products was just as exciting as changing my cleaning routine. The best part? These homemade alternatives work just as well—without any questionable ingredients.

  1. Homemade Deodorant

  Commercial deodorants often contain aluminum and artificial fragrances. My DIY version is simple and keeps me fresh all day.

  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • 1/4 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch
  • 5-10 drops essential oil (lavender, tea tree, or citrus work great)

  Mix and store in a jar. Apply a pea-sized amount under your arms.

  2. DIY Toothpaste

  Fluoride-free, natural, and easy to make!

  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda
  • 5 drops peppermint essential oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon xylitol (for sweetness, optional)

  Stir together and use like regular toothpaste.

  3. Natural Face & Body Scrub

  Exfoliate your skin naturally with this gentle scrub.

  • 1/2 cup sugar (or fine sea salt)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil or coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 5 drops essential oil (optional)

  Rub gently on damp skin, then rinse for a smooth, refreshed feel.

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  Final Thoughts: A Simpler, Safer Way to Clean & Care

  Making my own cleaning and personal care products has been one of the best changes I’ve made. It’s simple, cost-effective, and gives me peace of mind knowing exactly what’s in the products I use daily.

  If you’re curious about switching to natural alternatives, start small. Pick one product—like an all-purpose cleaner or deodorant—and give it a try. You might be surprised at how easy and effective it is.

  Going natural isn’t just about health—it’s about taking control, reducing waste, and living more intentionally. And for me, that’s what this journey is all about.

• 
  How to Grow Your Own Food, Even in Small Spaces
  by Hailey
  March 14, 2025

  I used to think that growing my own food required a huge backyard, a greenhouse, or some kind of farm-level expertise. But the more I looked into it, the more I realized that you can grow fresh, healthy food almost anywhere—even in small apartments, on balconies, or in tiny backyards.

  Over the years, I’ve learned how to maximize small spaces for gardening, and let me tell you—it’s life-changing. There’s nothing quite like picking fresh herbs from your windowsill or harvesting homegrown tomatoes from a small patio garden. If you want to start growing your own food but feel limited by space, I’ve got you covered.

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  Step 1: Make the Most of Your Available Space

  The first step is to take a good look at what space you actually have. Even if you don’t have a yard, you still have options like:

  ✔ Windowsills – Perfect for herbs and microgreens.
  ✔ Balconies – Great for potted vegetables and vertical gardening.
  ✔ Indoor Shelves – With the right lighting, you can grow greens inside.
  ✔ Small Yards or Patios – Raised beds or container gardens work wonders.
  ✔ Walls and Hanging Spaces – Use vertical planters, trellises, or hanging baskets.

  You don’t need acres of land—just a little creativity and some sunlight.

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  Step 2: Choose the Right Plants for Small Spaces

  Not all plants grow well in containers or small spaces, so choosing wisely makes a huge difference. Some of the best plants for small-space gardening include:

  🌱 Herbs – Basil, mint, rosemary, thyme, and chives thrive in small pots.
  🥬 Leafy Greens – Spinach, lettuce, arugula, and kale grow quickly and don’t need much space.
  🍅 Cherry Tomatoes – Compact varieties do well in pots or hanging baskets.
  🌶 Peppers – Bell peppers and chili peppers flourish in containers.
  🍓 Strawberries – Perfect for hanging baskets or vertical planters.
  🧅 Green Onions & Garlic – Super easy to grow in small spaces, even indoors.

  If you’re just starting, herbs and leafy greens are the easiest to grow and require minimal effort.

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  Step 3: Use Smart Planting Techniques

  In small-space gardening, efficiency is key. Here are some ways to maximize your growing space:

  1. Grow Vertically

  Instead of spreading out, go up. Use trellises, wall planters, or hanging pots to grow climbing plants like tomatoes, beans, and cucumbers.

  2. Companion Planting

  Some plants grow better together, helping each other thrive. For example, basil and tomatoes are perfect partners because basil repels pests that target tomatoes.

  3. Succession Planting

  Instead of planting everything at once, stagger your planting every few weeks so you always have something fresh to harvest.

  4. Container Gardening

  Using pots, raised beds, or even repurposed containers (like buckets or old wooden crates) is a great way to grow food when you don’t have a garden bed. Just make sure your containers have proper drainage to prevent root rot.

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  Step 4: Ensure Proper Lighting & Watering

  Lighting

  Most food plants need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. If you’re growing indoors or in a shady area, consider using grow lights to supplement natural light.

  Watering

  Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes. Most plants in small containers need to be watered more frequently than those in the ground, but always check the soil first. Stick your finger in the dirt—if the top inch is dry, it’s time to water.

  💡 Pro tip: Use self-watering pots or install a simple drip irrigation system for an easier way to maintain moisture.

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  Step 5: Boost Your Soil for Healthy Plants

  Healthy plants start with nutrient-rich soil. Instead of using cheap potting soil, invest in high-quality organic soil and mix in compost or natural fertilizers like worm castings. If you’re growing in small containers, you may need to refresh your soil every few months to keep it nutrient-dense.

  To make your own compost in a small space, try:
  ✔ Worm composting (vermiculture) – Perfect for apartments.
  ✔ Small compost bins – Even a bucket system works.
  ✔ Using kitchen scraps – Eggshells, banana peels, and coffee grounds make great natural fertilizers.

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  Step 6: Keep Pests & Problems in Check

  Even in small gardens, pests can be a problem. Instead of using chemical pesticides, try natural methods like:

  🦟 Neem oil – A natural pest deterrent.
  🐞 Introducing beneficial insects – Ladybugs eat aphids!
  🧄 DIY sprays – A mix of garlic, soap, and water keeps bugs away.
  🌱 Companion planting – Some plants naturally repel pests (e.g., marigolds keep bugs away from vegetables).

  If you’re growing indoors, keep an eye out for fungus gnats, which love damp soil. To prevent them, allow the soil to dry slightly between watering and use a layer of sand or cinnamon on top.

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  Step 7: Harvest & Enjoy!

  One of the best parts of growing your own food is the reward of harvesting. With small-space gardening, you can start picking herbs within weeks and harvesting leafy greens within a month. The more you harvest, the more your plants produce—so don’t be afraid to snip leaves regularly to encourage growth.

  Nothing compares to the taste of homegrown food. The flavor is richer, the nutrients are fresher, and there’s an incredible satisfaction in knowing you grew it yourself.

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  Final Thoughts: Anyone Can Grow Food—Even in Small Spaces

  Starting a garden doesn’t require a backyard or a lot of money—just a little effort and creativity. Whether you’re growing basil on your windowsill, tomatoes on your balcony, or greens on a small patio, every step toward growing your own food is a step toward self-sufficiency and sustainability.

  So don’t wait for the “perfect” space or the “right” time to start. Plant a seed today, and watch what happens.

• 
  Cutting Back on Clutter and Living with Intention
  by Hailey
  March 14, 2025

  I used to think that more was better. More clothes, more gadgets, more decorations, more everything. My shelves were overflowing, my closet was packed, and every surface in my home seemed to collect random items I barely used. But despite being surrounded by all this “stuff,” I felt weighed down. My mind felt just as cluttered as my living space.

  That’s when I decided to take a step back and rethink what I actually needed. I didn’t want to just clean up—I wanted to live with intention, to fill my space with things that truly mattered and let go of everything else.

  The Burden of Clutter

  We don’t always realize how much our belongings control us. Every item we own requires some level of attention—whether it’s organizing, cleaning, maintaining, or just moving it around. The more we accumulate, the more time we spend managing our possessions instead of enjoying life.

  I started to notice how clutter affected my mental state. When my home was messy, I felt overwhelmed and distracted. It was harder to focus, harder to relax, and even harder to appreciate the things I actually loved. I knew I needed a change.

  The First Step: Letting Go

  Decluttering isn’t just about throwing things away—it’s about being honest with yourself. When I started going through my belongings, I asked myself some tough questions:

  • Do I use this regularly? If I hadn’t touched it in months (or years), did I really need it?
  • Does this add value to my life? Some things serve a purpose, while others just take up space.
  • Am I holding onto this “just in case”? I had so many “maybe I’ll need this someday” items. But most of them just collected dust.

  Slowly, I started letting go—donating clothes I never wore, selling extra kitchen gadgets, and recycling old paperwork I didn’t need. With every box that left my house, I felt a little lighter.

  Creating a Space with Purpose

  Once I cleared out the unnecessary clutter, I focused on intentionally curating my space. I didn’t want my home to feel empty—I wanted it to reflect my values and priorities.

  I surrounded myself with things that:
  ✔ Brought me joy (books, meaningful decorations, cozy blankets)
  ✔ Served a real purpose (tools, kitchen essentials, practical furniture)
  ✔ Helped me focus on what mattered (a simple workspace, a clean and calm environment)

  Living with intention doesn’t mean having nothing—it means choosing what you keep with care.

  Minimalism Isn’t About Deprivation

  A lot of people hear the word “minimalism” and think it means living with one pair of shoes and a single chair. That’s not true at all. Minimalism is personal. For me, it meant cutting back on things that felt like excess so I could fully appreciate the things I actually use and love.

  Instead of buying random decor, I focused on meaningful pieces. Instead of filling my closet with fast fashion, I kept quality clothes that I actually enjoy wearing. Instead of hoarding kitchen gadgets, I stuck with a few essentials that work well.

  I found that by having fewer but better things, I appreciated them more.

  Living with Intention Beyond Stuff

  Once I started decluttering my home, I realized that this mindset applied to more than just physical objects. I began decluttering my time, my commitments, and even my relationships.

  • I stopped saying “yes” to things I didn’t really want to do.
  • I cut back on mindless scrolling and digital clutter.
  • I made space for what actually brings me joy—reading, learning new skills, and spending time in nature.

  When I removed what wasn’t serving me, I had more time, energy, and focus for the things that truly mattered.

  The Freedom of Less

  Now, when I walk into my home, I feel a sense of calm instead of chaos. I don’t spend hours cleaning up messes, looking for lost items, or feeling guilty about things I never use. My space works for me, not against me.

  Cutting back on clutter and living with intention has been one of the most freeing choices I’ve ever made. It’s not about being perfect or extreme—it’s about aligning my surroundings with my values.

  If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by too much stuff or too many distractions, I encourage you to start small. Let go of one thing today. Then another tomorrow. Over time, you’ll create space for what truly matters—and that’s worth more than anything you could ever buy.