What a great first conversation ;)
I work at a vegan restaurant, and every time I wash dishes at work it gives me abundant time to contemplate. Over the past few years I have been slowly trying to introduce new things into my life that are more healthy, and cut out things that are unhealthy. I also have been participating in a local mutual aid collective...a kind of formal social group compromised of liberal, mostly young, artistic, eco-friendly minded people that work together as a community to help each other accomplish our goals. Since I have built friendships with some of the collective members, they have really got me thinking about what things in life I accept/subscribe to. The whole experience has been positively transformational.
Yeah, yeah, what about the armpits? A couple weeks ago, I decided to start making my own natural products...household cleaning, toiletries, etc..in an effort to minimize my interaction with harmful chemicals on a daily basis. I've tried many "natural" manufactured products before, but there are still unpronounceable chemicals in the ingredients list, they are extremely pricey, or ineffective. Especially deodorant! So, I have been experimenting with deodorant recipes and alternatives. While I was washing dishes, thinking about how to make my recipe better, I thought about how my homemade deodorant/alternatives would affect my skin in relation to shaving my pits. Nothing is worse than irritated sensitive skin when you have to shave.
And then I thought: the problem is the shaving, not the deodorant.
I then started thinking how when I was a little girl and my armpit hair started growing, my mother taught me how to shave my armpits. I have spent my entire life following this practice without questioning it usefulness to me. Also, and more intriguing, is the fact that there is a part of my body I have never had a relationship with. Shaving costs money, produces landfill waste, puts chemicals down our drains and into our drinking water, and is a nuisance on my body and my time. And, what are the downsides for me to not shave my pits? Generally socially unaccepted, and possibly the hair will retain more odor and/or bacteria. But, come on...men get along just fine without being "smelly" or being considered "unhygienic."
I know this is nothing new, but having these thoughts...and deciding to grow out my pip hair is such a satisfying experience. It was been a few days now, and the stubble is starting to turn soft. I can't wait...
0 comments:
Post a Comment