Daily self-care matters. If you’re joining this mini-series now, begin with the intro on home and body self-care, then check the post about creating a spa bathroom atmosphere and a detox bath recipe. Today’s focus is on detoxing daily routines — removing what doesn’t serve us so we can better care for ourselves and our families.
Learning to care for my home and body has been a 30-year journey. Detoxing my environment and prioritizing self-care has made a real difference: I feel better than I ever have. I consider myself healthy overall, but I also live with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and a history of Epstein-Barr virus. Managing these conditions is a daily effort. I’ve been meaning to share more about that, so here’s an update on my thyroid and what I’ve learned along the way.
What we bring into our home affects our health more than we often realize. Decisions made years ago — both good and misguided — can continue to influence our well-being. I didn’t anticipate that choices about everyday products and routines would one day relate directly to a chronic condition.
Once damage to the body occurs, reversing it becomes harder, though sometimes still possible. That is why detoxing our home and routines should be a self-care priority now, whether or not you currently have a diagnosed condition.
Good health is worth the effort; toxins should be removed from our lives whenever possible. I’m thankful to feel well most days and to have a resilient immune system that lets me do what I want. That wasn’t always the case: there were seasons when I couldn’t do basic things and years when I felt unwell without understanding why.
Health is never guaranteed. Bodies can change, and conditions may emerge beyond our control. Still, detoxing our home and refining daily habits improves our chances for better health, greater comfort, and increased well-being.
Removing unnecessary toxins from our environment and practices is a simple, effective step.
Even before my diagnosis I leaned toward natural remedies and healthier choices: I’ve never smoked, avoided drugs and alcohol, and tried to be mindful about food. Yet I didn’t fully understand how everyday household and personal-care products, or some commonly recommended “natural” items, could affect my body.
We all have habits that might not be ideal. What surprised me was learning how seemingly harmless products and ingredients can trigger symptoms or contribute to long-term issues.
I discovered that many products labeled “natural” or “organic” still contain ingredients that can be problematic. That realization pushed me to research, read labels more carefully, and be selective about what I bring into my home.
I’ve become more intentional about researching products and ingredients.
I’ve also learned that some foods once considered healthy can cause problems. For example, my son had severe emotional reactions to casein in common foods like whole-grain bread and some packaged snacks. Hidden ingredients can cause surprising reactions, so testing and observation matter.
Home and body are deeply connected; choices in one area affect the other. In my book Dwelling, I share my health journey and practical tips for caring for both home and body. I’m not a doctor, but I learned about toxins by observing symptoms, consulting multiple practitioners, and studying root causes. Those lessons came from trial and error and from paying attention to how my body responded.
My experience may not mirror yours, but I believe in sharing stories because they help others make better choices. I love home decor, but caring for ourselves and our living spaces goes beyond aesthetics — it’s about creating an environment that supports health.
Adopt a “know better, do better” approach to health, without guilt. I don’t dwell on past choices or pursue perfection. Adding anxiety won’t help. Instead, take steady, informed steps forward — those small actions yield the biggest differences over time.
Be your own health advocate. You will likely be the most informed person about your body and your family’s needs. Awareness and curiosity matter: keep learning, ask questions, and make the best decisions you can with the information you have.
My Thyroid Update
Stay proactive, even when you feel well. Over the past year I felt excellent, and I let that comfort lead me to postpone routine care. I skipped regular blood work, my naturopath went on maternity leave, and I ran out of my natural thyroid supplement. I delayed seeking care elsewhere and put self-care on the back burner. That brief lapse led to my thyroid levels becoming significantly abnormal; my TSH climbed very high and other markers were off.
Healthy habits add up.
Small choices can set off a chain reaction for better health or cause major disruption. I’m recovering from that short break in my routine: my levels are improving daily and most of the random symptoms have faded.
I feel grateful to be doing well despite my thyroid fluctuation. I credit consistent healthy choices over recent years for much of my resilience. I’m back on a regular testing schedule to ensure my treatment plan is effective. I continue to detox my home and routines by choosing quality, non-toxic products and watching what I put in my body. I’ll have food sensitivity testing soon to confirm which foods support my health. I’ve been gluten-free for about a year and a half and mostly dairy-free because my body responds better that way. I still take weekly detox baths, use targeted supplements and essential oils to support gut, thyroid, immune, and emotional health.
Daily choices about how we live at home truly matter. I haven’t been seriously ill in over four years, which tells me those healthy choices are working. Toxins are unwelcome in our household; we take wellness seriously because it affects our quality of life. I’m grateful to no longer experience the anxiety, panic attacks, and debilitating symptoms I once did.
I’ve relearned these lessons many times. Give yourself grace to learn and improve a little each day.
What’s your health story? Share it in the comments or send me a message on Instagram @theinspiredroom or by email. I’d love to hear from you and am happy to answer questions.
This post is part 2 of a 3-part series, Daily Self-Care Rituals for the Homebody. Read the intro and Part 1: Create a Spa Bathroom Atmosphere + Detox Bath Recipe.
- Read more about healthy home, body, and soul in my book Dwelling.
- You can also read why a healthy home matters to me in a separate post.
WHERE I GET SUPPLEMENTS AND NON-TOXIC HOUSEHOLD + PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS: I source many of my non-toxic household and wellness products through a recommended wholesale membership club.
Join my wellness community and learn about detoxifying your home and body. Connect with others who are also learning to dwell well and be well.
This post is part 2 of a 3-part series, Daily Self-Care Rituals for the Homebody. Read the intro and Part 1: Create a Spa Bathroom Atmosphere + Detox Bath Recipe.