I didn’t expect a documentary to change how I live but it did. After watching the plastic detox documentary on Netflix I realised it wasn’t introducing me to entirely new information but rather highlighting things I was already aware of, just on a much larger and more confronting scale.
I’ve always been quite intentional with my home environment. Over time, we’ve naturally moved towards using glass containers, wooden utensils, and stainless steel pots. These swaps never felt like a “lifestyle overhaul” just small, thoughtful decisions that made sense for how we wanted to live.
Because of that, I wouldn’t say this documentary made me start from scratch. Instead, it reinforced what I was already doing and encouraged me to be even more mindful with the details.
There were also two deeper reasons this topic resonated with me more recently.
I’m slowly beginning my TTC journey, so I’ve become more intentional about creating a home that supports long-term wellbeing and fertility. At the same time, living with endometriosis has made me much more aware of hormone health, inflammation, and the everyday environmental factors that can quietly impact the body.
So for me, this wasn’t just about “reducing plastic” it became about creating a home that feels supportive, conscious, and aligned with my body and future.
The documentary also touched on wider conversations around environmental exposures and women’s health, including discussions about hormone disruption and how everyday products may contribute to long-term health outcomes. It referenced research exploring disparities in breast cancer risk factors among Black women, including earlier onset of menstruation and potential concerns around certain chemical hair relaxers.
That part stayed with me personally because I’ve already been making changes in that area of my life too. I transitioned from relaxed hair in 2023 to natural hair in 2024, as part of a wider shift towards more intentional, lower-toxic living.
It wasn’t about fear it was about awareness, and choosing to be more mindful with what I use on and around my body.
What Shocked Me Most
What stayed with me wasn’t necessarily new information, but the scale of it all.
- Microplastics in our food, water, and air
- How everyday materials can contribute to long-term hormone disruption
- Just how many household items quietly contain plastic without us really noticing
It made me reflect on how modern living can feel very “clean” aesthetically but still be full of materials that don’t always support long-term health and wellbeing.
What I’ve Already Changed
Rather than making dramatic changes, this has always been a gradual process for me building on habits I already had in place.
Kitchen Swaps
The kitchen has always been quite intentional in our home, so this wasn’t about starting over more about refining.
- We already use glass containers instead of plastic
- Wooden utensils have replaced plastic tools over time
- We cook and store food using stainless steel pots and pans
- I also stopped drinking from plastic water bottles about 6 years ago and i only buy glass bottles - i know its bit pricey but for my health i felt it's vital.
These choices have slowly made the kitchen feel more grounded, natural, and aligned with how I want to live. More recently, I’ve made smaller swaps like replacing traditional kitchen scourers with bamboo alternatives from Seep, which felt like a simple but meaningful upgrade.
Bathroom Upgrades
The bathroom has been a slower evolution rather than a complete change.
- Switching to bar soaps instead of bottled body washes
- Gradually choosing products with less plastic packaging
- Introducing glass or ceramic storage where possible
It’s still very much a work in progress, but each small change makes the space feel a little more intentional.
Shopping Habits
This is probably where the shift has been most internal.
- I now use reusable bags consistently
- I think more carefully before bringing new items into the home
- I’m focusing on fewer, better-quality purchases rather than constant replacements
It feels less like restriction and more like alignment choosing what actually adds value.
A Subtle Shift in Aesthetic
Something I didn’t expect was how naturally this shift also influenced the way my home looks and feels.
As I’ve moved away from plastic-heavy items, I’ve found myself gravitating towards:
- Linen instead of synthetic fabrics
- Wood instead of plastic finishes
- Ceramics and glass instead of acrylic materials
The home feels warmer, softer, and more timeless not because of a re-design, but because of the materials themselves.
Affordable, Realistic Swaps
One of the most important things I’ve learned is that this doesn’t need to be extreme.
You don’t have to throw everything away or start from scratch.
For me, it has always been about:
- Replacing things gradually when they naturally run out
- Making better choices over time rather than all at once
- Progress over perfection
That mindset has made it sustainable and far less overwhelming.
💭 Real Talk
I’m not plastic-free, and I don’t think that’s a realistic expectation.
There are still plastics in my home, and there likely always will be in some form. But I’ve learned that awareness matters more than perfection.
This journey isn’t about doing everything perfectly it’s about doing better where you can, in a way that feels sustainable and supportive.
Closing Thought
What this experience has reinforced for me is that a beautiful home isn’t just about how it looks it’s about how it supports your wellbeing.
And sometimes, the most powerful changes aren’t the visible ones but the intentional choices behind them.
