Empty Nest and Navigating Dorm Life Shopping

We’ve officially entered a new stage of parenting - the empty nest stage! This year, we have both a college freshman and a senior, and luckily, they’re at the same school. While it’s definitely an adjustment at home, seeing them happy and thriving makes it a little easier.

The past few months were a whirlwind of dorm prep - shopping for bedding, towels, storage solutions, and of course, personal care items like shampoo and body lotion. And because I’ve been teaching non-toxic living for years, I of course I researched just about everything before buying.

Progress Over Perfection

Did we end up with 100% non-toxic products? Nope. And I’m okay with that. Sometimes safer options weren’t available in stores, or the cost was too high. In a few instances we went with “better” choices rather than the “perfect” ones. Progress over perfection has always been my guiding principle, especially when it comes to short-term situations like dorm living.

The Frustration of Shopping Safer

What did frustrate me, though, was just how difficult it still is to shop at large retailers for safer personal care items. Even after 11 years of prioritizing non-toxic products, I found myself struggling. Labels were confusing, ingredients took extra time to decipher, and many of my favorite safer brands simply weren’t on the shelves at all locations.

So, we did the best we could in the moment, with the plan to swap in safer products once it’s time to restock.

Why Everyday Exposures Matter

You might be wondering: does it really matter if my kid’s shampoo or body wash isn’t “perfectly clean”?

The short answer: yes.

Everyday exposures add up. Chemicals like BPA, phthalates, PFAS, and other endocrine disruptors are in countless products we use daily. Even in small amounts, repeated exposure matters - especially since these chemicals interfere with our hormones. Our bodies rely on delicate, precise amounts of natural hormones to regulate growth, metabolism, and development. When synthetic chemicals throw off that balance, the effects can build up over time.

The health impacts aren’t usually immediate, which is why they’re so easy to overlook. But research has linked long-term, low-level exposures to reproductive issues, metabolic changes, and developmental concerns.

In other words: small, repeated exposures are not harmless.

This is why I’m so passionate about helping people take simple, sustainable steps to reduce toxic exposures where they can. It’s not about being perfect - it’s about making steady, meaningful shifts toward safer options.

A Few Brands You Can Trust

One thing I’ve learned is that not all brands are consistent. Some offer a few safer products—but others in their lineup fall short. This makes shopping confusing and, honestly, frustrating.

That’s why I’m so grateful for companies like Crunchi and Counter (formerly Beautycounter). These brands are committed to screening ingredients and formulating without many of the harmful chemicals I work so hard to avoid. They take out the guesswork, so I can trust every product they make.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to read labels or sort through shelves of “greenwashed” products, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too. Which is exactly why I love sharing resources and safer brand options that make this process easier for all of us.

👉 Want help navigating safer swaps? Check out my Safer Products Shop. And if you’d like more personalized help figuring out what to buy, please reach out. I’d love to work with you!