Pro Tips And Tools: Bath
Things that make life better, and me happy.
Every April, August and December, I take a wee break away from regularly scheduled programming and into a themed month. This time around, I’m sharing things that make life a little easier. Which, of course, is a pathway to being happy.
I don’t know about you, but I see my bathroom as a sanctuary. Not that you would see my bathroom as a sanctuary. You would likely view it as a sad closet. Still, it tries. It’s a place of healing and rejuvenation (as well as teeth-brushing and other stuff). But it also has to be practical. Here are some of the practical things that make me feel cared for (in that sad closet sanctuary)…
Welcome to A Sassy Little Substack, a reader-supported publication about cultivating happiness, eschewing toxic positivity (we middle-finger that around here), and learning from our mistakes by certified happiness coach, Sandra Ann Miller, a.k.a. The Happyist. New posts drop each Wednesday. Please like ❤, comment, share and subscribe to help this little ‘stack grow. Free subs get all main posts. Paid get the archive and bonus posts, like monthly videos and full episodes of the podcast. Join with a friend or two to get a group sub discount! (If you want to subscribe without contributing to Substack, please see the option at the end of this post.)
Be sure to sign up for the free, subscribers-only “Last Saturday Seminars”. At 11AM PT on the last Saturday of the month, we’ll get together on Google Meets to talk happiness and address what we might need to get over to get happier. To register, email me at asassylittle@substack.com from the address you sub with and I’ll send you the details.
The list of 2025 Workshops is here! Don’t wait to sign up. All subscribers get a discount! For more information, please visit the Events page or The Happyist website.
And I started an Etsy shop! Happiness is Punk AF, friends! Check it out! xo
The Bug Bite Thing
Its literal name. This is a game-changer/life-saver. While “technically” not allergic, my body does *overreact* to spider bites. Like in big, ugly, red welts. This clever contraption saves me from that. I suggest getting two so you can stash one in the bathroom and one in your luggage, so you don’t leave home (overnight) without it. I learned that even a night away in a literal mansion will not protect me from spiders. They had a knock-off version. Don’t be fooled. Get the real deal.
By the way, no links I post are affiliate/sponcon. These are just things I dig. You’ll also notice that I don’t link to Amazon. On purpose. 😘
Arnica Gel
It only took me four vaccines/boosters to remember, “Duh! Arnica might help that sore shoulder.” And it does! It magically soothes soreness and bruising and I would hate to think how bad shot 1 of my shingles vax would’ve been if I wasn’t slathering it get on my red, painful shoulder regularly (got the shot on a Friday, hated life on Saturday, was better on Sunday, did yoga on Monday and lifted weights on Tuesday). It really is wizardly.
Sonicare Toothbrush
If there’s one place to invest in the bathroom, it’s in your teeth. While I was a fan of the Braun/Oral-B brush that I used for years, turns out that Sonicare is (supposedly) gentler on your gums (so said my periodontist). So, I switched. There are various versions that should fit any price point. I chose the Protective Care and it’s been going strong for over two years. Also, when you turn it on, it sounds like the opening chord of Roxy Music’s “More Than This”. That’s not a complaint.
Bonus Tools and Tips:
Brigeo “Don’t Despair, Repair!” hair mask. Been using this for over a decade. So very, very good.
A soap you loooove. For me, it’s South of France (which recently went through a horrible brand redesign) in shea butter.
Dawn Dishwashing Liquid…to clean your shower, sink, tub. Really! And especially if you’re using a French-milled soap like SOF.
Keep your bathroom sink drain clean and clear after it’s been professionally declogged (and, no, Liquid Plumbr is not a pro)…
2 cups boiled water (pour it down the drain), then add to the drain:
2 tablespoons Dawn dishwashing liquid
1 cup baking soda (I use waxed paper to make a funnel to help it down)
1 cup vinegar (poured in slowly, as it will react foam-ally to the baking soda)
Let that set over night to do its magic (i.e., don’t use the sink/drain for 6-8 hours), then pour 2 cups boiled water down the sink to clear. Do this once a month and ONLY after you’ve had your drains cleared by a professional plumber.
***DON’T SUE ME IF THIS DOESN’T WORK/CAUSES PROBS. I GOT IT OFF THE INTERNET AND IT HAS WORKED FOR ME FOR OVER A YEAR.*** Cheers!
Like this sassy little ‘stack? Please share it with friends and consider upgrading your subscription status. Thank you! xo
If you would like a paid subscription but don’t want your money going to Substack, I have a workaround: Use the link below, which will take you to my Tip Jar/BuyMeACoffee page. Put in the sub amount you’d like to pay for (monthly sub is $5/mo=1 coffee; annual sub is $40/yr=8 coffees; founder sub is $120/yr=24 coffees) and note that this is for a subscription in comments field. As soon as I receive the message, I’ll add your sub and send you a confirmation email. Please remember this is a manual process. Cheers! xo