There was a time — not that long ago — when I found myself standing in the supermarket aisle, phone in hand, Googling obscure ingredients and cross-referencing them with a Facebook group of equally concerned parents. My mental tabs were overloaded. Were these dishwasher tablets truly non-toxic? Could I recycle this packaging at home? Was the almond butter certified organic?
In my effort to do the best for my family, I had somehow become the low tox police. And honestly? It was exhausting.
If you’ve found yourself in similar territory — scanning every label, fearing the chemicals in tap water at a friend’s house or questioning the source of the produce used at your local café — you’re not alone. It’s easy to tip into hyper-vigilance when we care deeply. But sometimes, in trying to avoid toxicity, we end up inviting a different kind of stress into our lives — the kind that isn’t nourishing for our nervous system, our relationships, or even our health.
Which brings me to one of my favourite reminders when it comes to conscious living: do your best, but protect your peace.
Why Perfection Isn’t the Goal
Simply put, it’s this: do your best most of the time. Prioritise low tox choices in your everyday routines — where you can control what comes into your home, onto your skin and into your body. But let yourself off the hook when life gets messy. Because it will get messy. Especially if you have kids. Especially if you like leaving the house.
This isn’t about compromising your values. It’s about protecting your peace.
Striving for a completely toxin-free life is not only unrealistic — it’s unhelpful. We live in a modern world. Living without plastic 100% of the time isn’t possible. Our children will go to birthday parties with cheap toys in gift bags and brightly coloured cupcakes. There’ll be school holidays where tap water and greasy takeaway chips covered in chicken salt are part of the itinerary. And sometimes, you’ll receive a gift made from plastic, polyester or scented with fragrance — and that’s OK too.
When we try to micromanage every single exposure, it can lead to anxiety, overwhelm and even disordered thinking. Health is holistic. It’s not just about the absence of toxins — it’s about joy, connection, nourishment, rest and resilience. And that means giving yourself permission to be flexible.
Low Tox Living, the Gentle Way
Here’s how I approach it now, in a way that feels balanced and sustainable:
1. Prioritise what you use most often.
Think daily products: skincare, deodorant, household cleaning, cooking oils. These are the areas where small shifts can add up to big impact. If you’re unsure where to start, trusted resources like the Clean + Conscious Awards directory can make finding truly low tox products a whole lot easier — everything is independently reviewed and researched, so you can feel confident in your choices.
2. Let the little things go.
Your mum refuses to bake without refined sugar? That one café meal contained seed oils? Your friend serves non-organic strawberries? Take a deep breath and enjoy the moment anyway. One-off exposures won’t undo all the good you’re doing.
3. Make your home your sanctuary.
You can’t control everything outside — but you can create a safe, low tox space at home. Whether you filter your water, swap out synthetic fragrances, switch your skincare or choose organic food— you’re creating a healthy home free of environmental toxins and harsh chemicals — and that’s where it counts most.
4. Don’t moralise every choice.
Low tox living isn’t a purity contest. Let’s not turn healthy choices into moral hierarchies. You are not a “bad” parent for accepting a plastic toy as a gift. You are not “failing” because your child ate fairy bread at the party.
5. Allow joy to be part of the equation.
Lick the icing off the cupcake. Swim in the chlorine pool. Laugh with your kids at the cinema, without questioning why the butter on the popcorn is fluorescent yellow. Effortless joy is just as nourishing as any supplement— and a happy, healthy family should always be the number one priority.
6. Lead by example, not fear.
Kids pick up on our energy. If we model stress around food or obsess over ingredients, they absorb that too. But when we make conscious choices from a place of confidence and calm, they learn that too — and carry it with them.
7. Swap scrolling for connection.
Choosing low tox isn’t just about what we put on and in our bodies — it’s also about what we feed our minds and hearts. Instead of spiralling down a social media rabbit hole, spend time doing what fills your cup. A walk with a friend, a phone call to a relative, playing with your kids — these are the moments that ground us far more than any wellness reel ever could.
In the end, I’ve found that living low tox isn’t about never being exposed to a chemical or always having the “right” product. It’s about building a lifestyle that supports your health and your sanity. One that’s rooted in love, not fear.
So here’s your gentle reminder: you’re doing a beautiful job. You care deeply. And that, in itself, is enough.
Let’s keep choosing well — most of the time. And letting the rest be what it is: life.
