The less I do, the happier I am. Anyone else?

[NorthEndGal]

I used to love to colour my hair, trying out different looks. Then there was always the growing out, or colouring out, roots, damage etc.
I decided to just let it be. No colour, no styling products, just keep it clean and healthy and tidy.

I used to love buying makeup, changing looks with the new seasons and trends.
Then I'd feel guilty about having to get rid of expired make up that wasn't finished, spending loads on new stuff every six months, and then fixing my skin (which didn't really like being covered every day).
I started to cut back how often I wore it, used lighter amounts, trimmed my routine.
Eventually, I reached the point where I just moisturize and pluck stray hairs.
Make up is for special events now.

I used to love getting my nails done, then started doing them myself, now I just keep them clean and trimmed.

Honestly, I used to see people like me and think, "aw, she's given up, poor thing"
Now , I get it. I feel happy and free and comfortable as I am, the same as I used to feel by doing those very things!
I don't feel like I have given up at all, more like I have won the race already, by stepping out of it, if that makes any sense?
Anyone else sidestepped it all, and feeling good with it?

Shouldn't need to be said, but clearly I don't judge those who are still happy with doing those things, as it made me happy too

All those things you list are from external pressure to do or be something for other people’s benefit (some women argue its so they feel better but that’s social conditioning I’d argue so still not truest for themselves) so of course you feel happier to let go of striving to fix something that wasn’t even broken.

I do feel better though the more I do! But it’s doing things for me and the ones I love. The more gardening I’ve managed, the more of my work I’ve achieved, the more exercise and outdoor time I’ve fit in, the more organised I am for our meals and the more time I’ve carved out to do things I enjoy.

That's a good point about external pressure, I hadn't thought of that really.

Also I should have clarified I meant in maintaining my looks. I am busy as a one legged man in an ass kicking competition, day to day!

I’m the opposite actually in that for years I have been as you describe but recently I got some tinted moisturiser and powder and have enjoyed feeling a little more put together.

I also notice you are keen to point out that you are still busy and I also try not to be so busy busy all the time. I honestly think most women have too much on their plate these days

That’s a total generalisation- sorry! I should say, many women! Not all, of course.

I never did the hair and makeup thing

Couldn't be bothered to spend an extra 20-30 minds every morning.

That's time better spent in bed

I feel the same. Less is more for me these days. I still wear make up and do my hair but the fake tanning, buying the new wonder beauty product, the high maintenance part of being me has gone. I have stepped away from bloggers, instagrammers, most forums purely because I was being suckered to try this product or routine and it has freed me up mentally, time wise and my bank balance is a lot healthier for it. I have a stash of products to use up and when they go my routine will be pared down further.

I think the guy who founded IKEA said recently that retail sales were down because people had reached peak stuff. That's what I felt like, stuffed full of stuff I did not need. I am a middle aged woman, my chances of being discovered as the new supermodel are gone, as long as I don't scare the horses, I don't need it or miss it one little bit.

Me too! I go in cycles of wearing a bit more or less make up/skin care. I had to work hard at feeling 'presentable' with none. I've stopped all the hair management too (except the beard on my chin- I still shave that).

Im looking at my Jewellery collection and wondering why on Earth I ever bothered.

I've streamlined my wardrobe.

I'm also quite happy being generally not busy. I've run around after other people all my life. I'm just sitting about and pottering around the house and garden at the moment. Bliss.

My daily routine is always shower, body moisturise, make up, hair & dressed. Throughout the month I'll do all the other bits & bobs - shave underarms & legs, cut/file fingernails, soak/moisturise feet & every 6 weeks get my hair cut. I'm in a good rountine with it all & enjoy pampering myself.

However the one thing I have cut back on is exfoliating. I realised that I'd allowed myself to be convinced that ONE single dead skin cell on your body is a definate no no & must be exfoliated IMMEDIATELY - at one point I was exfoliating my face, lips, elbows, legs, (paying SPECIAL attention to my knees as advised by every beauty expert) feet, cuticles. My skin isn't even that dry & didn't look any different afterwards so now I just exfoliate my face every couple of weeks.

Now I've realised not everything is for everyone. Just do what suits you, your skin, your budget & your schedule. Not everyone has the time & money to buy into every trend.

Is it too much to admit that I’ve also adopted a Steve Jobs approach to my wardrobe?!

I’m happiest in jeans and a black top so I’ve been building up my collection so I can just wear that each day!!

having to get rid of expired make up that wasn't finished, spending loads on new stuff every six months

I forgot, I still pluck the chin hair! Never going to stop getting rid of them!

@Flower777 - I like that approach. Who cares as long as you're comfortable. In winter I wear denim leggings, t-shirt, jumper & boots. In summer I wear denim leggings, t-shirt, blazer/denim jacket & pumps. Basically the same outfit but just switch my coat & shoes. Comfort is definitely my priority

I thought this would be about doing less overall; being less busy.

But it’s about make up/hair.

I totally get you- on both fronts! I do wear tinted moisturiser as my skin is a bit dodgy. I have short hair. Crappy nails. I spend any spare time I have on other stuff!

Going from your title 'the less I do ....' I would say that was true of me but not in terms of grooming or style but of my life in general.
I used to have a massive FOMO and cram my diary of stuff all the time. Even when the children were young I would have them doing everything possible. DS' girlfriend commented that there isn't anything he hasn't done from walking up volcanoes, ce climbing at 14 years old, kayaking down European rivers to motorcycling in Poland and so on that it's a surprise there was anything left for him to do. That comment hit home a bit to be honest.
I've calmed my life down. I dont need to go out every night. I don't need to go abroad for a long weekend every month, I don't need to have constant house parties. Sure I still enjoy these things but I'm just as happy not to have plans.

I have gone as far as cutting showergel out recently.

I still use soap/anti bac on my hands, and I still rinse myself off daily - but I have found it makes ZERO difference to my skin to lather it up. Sweat and surface grime rinses off easily with plain water, and the scent of showergel evaporates very quickly.

Was loitering in bed this morning, 8ish, remembering getting up at 6, shower, wash hair, make up, dress, children up,wash, dress, breakfasts, packed lunches, all out by 8 to school and work. For years. How did I do that? Didn't seem like a huge effort at the time but on reflection seems daunting. So all of you still slogging away, I salute you. It doesn't last forever

I too thought this was about a busy life generally

I'm definitely happy if I'm doing less

in fact, I might actually be interested in clothes if I had more time and money.

And yes I did just say that while slobbing about on MN

Oh no cats, I don't think I've ever exfoliated anything. Never mind, I'm pretty old, not starting now.

However, should you ever need to wake up fast, I can recommend using exfoliating gloves and original source mint shower gel.

0-100 in a few seconds

I have set things that I make sure I do because I think they make a huge difference. These are:

-tinted moisturiser every day
-get my eyebrows waxed once a month
-hair cut every three months

that is all I do and it makes me feel OK.

Sadly, I've started to use a concealer whenever I go out. I bought it for dark circles, but it's proving invaluable on the lumpy hormonal chin spots (thanks peri).

I think we've been nudged down a path of consumption that completely complicates our lives.

I've simplified the housework- one all purpose bottle of flash type stuff, vinegar, bicarb, bleach and washing up liquid.

Simplified the laundry by buying simpler clothes.

We tend to wash and clean far too often.

It is really interesting to hear about all the different way we see being busy, and how we react to it.

I was surprised that doing less makeup/beauty wise didn't make me feel shit about myself, because that was the message I had always heard from society " if you don't follow along you must not care about yourself" but I don't buy into that anymore.

But also, when I say I am really busy, it's doing things I like to do mostly, making art and going to the beach, although those in turn make the house so messy and then I do have to deal with that...

It's interesting about 'self respect', isn't it? DM's self respect seems to be bound up with what other people will think.

Absolutely!

I am clean because I shower every day, wear deodorant etc but the biggest thing that has made a difference is drinking more water & not worrying what others think

I am recuperating from an operation so have had to wear looser clothing (had an ovary/cyst removed-so still sore) I have lived in three different outfits! Why have I got a wardrobe FULL of clothes

I've trimmed my wardrobe massively, but still have too many things I don't wear more than twice a year.
That's my next pare down area