As green as it is riding my bike to work, it means an extra shower each time; and while taking public transit is also an environmentally friendly way to go, it still technically creates more demand for gas-fuelled buses and electricity-sucking streetcars and trains (and yes, it takes all three of these vehicles to get me to work each day).
Although I don’t really believe the world would be a better place if everyone started telecommuting — the social aspects of the office environment can be vital to one’s mental health, after all, and it’s important to connect with others in person sometimes as opposed to just over the phone or by email — I do think it’s a good idea to work from home every so often.
Now that I’ve got another writing project on the go, I’ve convinced my fabulously accommodating, ridiculously supportive editor to let me go down to part-time temporarily at the office, which means I can work from home at least two days a week. This translates not only into less commuting but also less clothes and makeup being used, providing I stay inside all day.
Mostly, though, I’m looking forward to writing with the windows open, with my cat sleeping nearby, and with all my natural hippie food at the ready.
I noticed that you said you wear make up to the office. I am by no means as green as you, but one thing I’ve done is I’ve stopped wearing makeup with the exception of eyeliner (I’m NEVER giving that up). It took me forever to get used to it and was very self-conscious about it at first, but now, it’s no big deal. My skin looks and feels so much better with out it and using less product (although all my stuff is all natural) is better for the environment.
Vanessa, I definitely understand the urge to shower every time I’ve ridden my bike. Since I’m a grad student, maybe people cut me some slack with the showering-every-other-day routine. But, unless it’s the height of summer and I’m schlepping a ton of books, I have found that I don’t really need the shower. I just don’t bike incredibly fast, maybe. (Okay, so when I get home in the summer, the first thing I do is tear off my shirt, get a glass of juice, and wipe off my neck, face, and pits with a wet washcloth–but I figure the post-ride antics are worth it if my morning routine is far shorter half the time!)
Would you be willing to cut down on showering to every other day? Even while working at home? After all, what are deoderant and perfume for?
It’s probably better for your hair, too.
O.K. stop !!! No showers? no makeup?? No No. This is urban chic!! This is a woman that needs someone with XY chromosomes to have babies with !! It’s all about image and smell and strutting your stuff.
Also, Vanessa, are you staying inside or staying inbed?? Couldn’t decide if it was a typo!
Wait… does this mean that when you work from home you’re going to be naked? I am so dropping by for a cup of tea one afternoon.
Ooh, lucky. I work from home twice a week as well…it’s such a luxury. My work clothes last WAY longer since I need fewer “nice” outfits, and a tank of gas goes on forever.
I have to agree with your mom about the showering thing though
Emily–I only shower every other day too, generally, and it isn’t noticeable at all. And I haven’t worn makeup since high school.
I wonder if the energy and pollution saved by not travelling to work and working in an office is really offset by telecommuting where you’re probably using as much if not less electricty and, in the winter, you heat stays on at home during the day (instead of dropping down while you’re out) and the heat is still on at work for all the other employees.
perhaps it’s time to redefine the notion of chic. Perhaps chic can become gorgeous skin and gorgeous hair (yeah, I know, Thistle, you’re still working on the hair bit) rather than glamourous artifice.)
I have never worn makeup, shower once a week, and have a delightful boyfriend. And he’s much less hippy-ish than I am. *thhthbt*
U R a hippie2.0 person .. I enjoy reading your posts in my reader.
yeah the less showers you have and are in virtul worlds, the more hippier one gets.. who cares what one looks like at home eh ??
Yeah, I gotta suggest less frequent showers as a future green change. I shower once a week, washing the important bits daily. I also don’t soap appendages, because sweat’s water-soluble, so it rinses off with water, I never notice stinky legs or anything, and it saves soaping, scrubbing, and rinsing of a fair portion of the bod.
And I smell fab. My less observant half didn’t notice the difference for weeks, then realized that my daily wet bath towel was missing, and asked when I was showering.
Telecommuting rules, though proximity of the fridge is always an issue. I’m a back-to-school-er, so have morning classes, a big gap, then late afternoon classes, and it’s great to have all that time at home. Hope you enjoy it!
Why don’t you skip your shower before you leave, and just shower once you get to work? you’ll be stinky by the time you get there, anyway, so just cancel your first shower.
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