Can you really be "semi-crunchy"?

 

Just me living my best semi crunchy lifestyle 🥰

This wasn't the blog post I planned on sharing today. 

In fact, I had a completely different topic in mind, but then I came across a very interesting TikTok. 

I know, I know- Chinese info farming, yada yada yada. TikTok is a comfort thing my neurodivergent brain can handle easily, so I'm keeping it. 

One of my favorite creators on TikTok is Emily Morrow, who is @reallyverycrunchy. She shares satire docuseries type vidoes on crunchy moms, and they're just hysterical (even more so if you've been steeped in the natural community for any amount of time).

A video from another creator (@iamlevelingup) came across my FYP this morning. She had made a video that was basically saying she would no longer be making videos about Emily. Basically, she had said her videos really aren't funny at all, because they're purpose is to funnel people in the natural living pipeline. That nobody can be a little bit crunchy, because if you are, you've already started getting brainwashed into harmful thinking. 

If you're curious to hear Emily's response to this, she has an excellent video about it she posted yesterday. 

I've been thinking about this concept all day- the idea that you can be all or nothing, and there's no in-between. That one side is scientific and one side is natural. That you're either in or out, right or wrong, and there's no grace or grey in between. 

I've been around that kind of thinking enough to definitely say that it's bullshit. 

Obviously, my handle suggests that I do believe you can be "sort of crunchy". To say that one can't adopt concepts and practices from something that resonates with them and leave behind what doesn't is just absurd. 

For example, I'm a huge advocate for natural birth and home birth. We use a ton of essential oils and supplement to help our bodies. I avoid red food dye for my kids at all cost. 

But, my kids also have screen time, we can't afford organic produce or clothes and I'm pretty sure every toy we own is made of plastic. 

The whole idea that you can't be sort of crunchy is harmful to everyone- because at the end of the day, we are just trying our best. 

And as a mom who's trying her best, it's so discouraging to hear people say things like I'm being duped by conspiracy theories or being "funneled into a pipeline" when I integrate healthy practices into my life. 

Just like it's harmful to be told by other parents in the crunchy community that I'm not trying hard enough when I can't do all the natural things. 

Life is a journey to figure out how to live it in such a way that is manageable, enjoyable and sustainable. That is not going to look the same from person to person, and it shouldn't! 

Really, what I'm trying to say is- I support you in your endeavor to do well by you and your family, however that looks. And I think you should respect the people around you who are just trying to do the same. 

Also, please go give Emily Morrow a follow! She really is so funny and enjoyable to watch, and I think you'll love her. 

XOXO,

Rachel