Momma In The Mitten

So… what is a morally grey crunchy era?

Well, if you’re a romantasy reader like I am, the phrase morally grey probably makes you think of characters like Xaden Riorson, Rhysand, or Hawke — complex, not perfectly good, not outright bad, but operating somewhere in the middle where context matters more than rigid rules.

They’re not villains. They’re not saints. They live in the grey.

Now add the word crunchy — which likely brings to mind low-tox living, ingredient labels, homemade food, and being more intentional about what comes into your home.

Put the two together and here’s the truth: life isn’t just black or white. There’s a whole lot of grey in the middle.

And that grey space?

That’s exactly what my 2026 is about.

Leaning toward lower-tox living — without feeling bad when it’s not perfect. Making better choices where I can — without spiraling when convenience wins. Doing my best — without driving myself mad trying to do everything right.

For me, that balance looks like this:

I want to be as low-tox as possible… but yes, we’re still having takeout sometimes. I want to reach for more natural remedies when my family is sick… but I’m absolutely still using Tylenol or ibuprofen when it’s needed. I want less junk TV… but Pokémon is still very much on repeat. I want to thrift more… but I’m not giving up my Amazon habits.

I want to stock our pantry with solid staples, make more things from scratch, and learn to can. I want to sew more, work with yarn, craft with my hands, and lean into slower homemaking rhythms — without turning it into another thing I have to do perfectly.

That’s the balance I’m choosing.

Doing better where I can. Letting go where I need to. And not attaching guilt to either one.

If this sounds like you — the label-reader and the takeout-orderer, the homemade girlie and the convenience realist — you’re not alone.

I’m not here to preach or pretend I have it all figured out. I’m here because I’m tired of the all-or-nothing mentality.

This year, I’m learning in real time. Trying things. Keeping what works. Letting go of what doesn’t.

More pantry staples. More cozy homemaking. More small swaps.

No perfection. No pressure. No guilt when convenience wins.

If you’ve ever thought, “I want to do better… but I also want to enjoy my life,” then this space is for you.

Come learn with me. Come figure it out together.

This is the morally grey crunchy era — and we’re just getting started.