Hey, Y’all! Just a quick warning — today’s post might be a little controversial … y’all know how intense the conversation can get when certain topics are discussed. Here we go …
Lately, I’ve been seeing a lot (I mean – A LOT!) of folks where I live jumping on the essential oils bandwagon. Now, I’ve been studying, researching and using essential oils for over 20 years, so I’m well-versed in how absolutely amazing they are. I’m super excited that more and more people are learning about them, too.
Some of the people who are now using essential oils and loving them are also teaching others about the wonder of oils, and I think that’s great. Unless, of course, you haven’t studied with and/or become a certified aromatherapist. And you’re relying solely upon the information given to you by the company whose oils you’re selling and promoting as the 100% accurate, absolute, no-way-it-could-be-slanted-toward-a-particular-product truth. In that instance, perhaps it might be a better idea to do a bit more … objective … research before putting yourself out there as an expert. Just sayin’ …
Interestingly, these same people, while telling us all how well-educated they are in the science and application of essential oils and other “natural, healthy lifestyle practices,” are also declaring themselves experts on what’s not good for us. Like scented candles …
Uh oh.
And in the process of being experts, they’re coming down in pretty harsh judgment of people who still like to burn an occasional scented candle … or six. A lot of you might say they have a ‘holier-than-thou’ attitude. I say, they’re gettin’ uppity above their raisin’. Either way, it’s a very unflattering description and I would not want it applied to my own self.
It’s well known that I love scented candles. I even posted about it, so you know it’s true. And I think I’ve established over the past couple years of blogging that I also follow a pretty healthy lifestyle. I’ve talked about the natural alternatives I’ve found for cleaning, laundry, OTC medicine, etc. And I’ve shared some of my own experiences with essential oils. But I certainly hope – and please, please tell me if I’m wrong here! – that I have never come across as preachy, or judgmental … well, about this anyway. 😉
I have done tons of research on essential oils. I’ve taken classes and become certified in aromatherapy. I’ve used oils from multiple companies, read reports about the quality of the oils from said companies and made choices based on that research about where I buy my oils. I encourage everyone who is even considering using essential oils to do the same. Be relentless in your pursuit of information – and approach every essential oils company with a cautiously suspicious attitude. There are many great companies out there, but there are some who care more about the money they make than they do the people who are selling/promoting/using their products.
I’ve also done a lot of research on scented candles. And I’ve been disappointed, disillusioned and downright infuriated that some companies I love use harmful or lowered quality ingredients in their candles. I hate that. Of course, I’ve also found some companies who are using vegetable wax and/or soy wax in their scented candles and wax melts, in addition to using lead-free wicks. I love that!
But if y’all want to burn a candle because you love the fragrance, you should feel like it’s okay to do so, without judgment or censure from me. Or anyone else. You’re an adult aren’t you? You can make your own decisions, right? You certainly don’t need me (or anyone) telling you you’re a bad/ignorant/evil/uncivilized person because you’re not diffusing 20 different essential oils combinations trying to recreate the fragrance of that one perfect pumpkin spice candle you absolutely have to have every October or it’s just. not. fall. I mean, seriously, you’d end up spending $100+ on the essential oils and still not end up with the exact scent that you can get by spending $20 on the candle!
Now, before this veers off into a soapbox rant on the nanny-state mentality that plagues our society today … I’m just going to add this one little thing.
Teaching is not preaching. Do y’all like that? I made it up myself. Well, I suppose someone else has probably said it first, but I’m not familiar so I’m claiming it. Anyway … what I mean is, if you want to teach people about something you love, do it. Teach them why you love it. Teach them how to find out about it for themselves. Tell them some of your experiences with it. But. do. not. preach. to. them. Don’t preach about how horrible they are if they choose to do something different! Shame on you! If you believe in your way of doing things, good. It doesn’t give you the right to shame or belittle or condescend to others who disagree. (The condescending attitude really chaps my pancakes … Don’t patronize people. They don’t like it.)
This world is big enough for essential oils lovers and scented wax lovers. Some of us are both. Using one or the other (or both) doesn’t make us uneducated, uncaring, less health-conscious.
But I’ve noticed when the subject of essential oils comes up in conversation – face to face or online – it tends to get very tense, territorial, and sometimes downright nasty, very quickly. People are really defensive about the brand of essential oils they use. It’s a little scary, to be honest. I tend to tread pretty lightly when it comes to oils – and I definitely don’t assert that my brand of oils is better than your brand. I secretly think it is, but I won’t say it out loud. To you. 😉 When I’m asked about essential oils, I am careful about my responses. I will definitely share with you how & why I started using oils. I will tell you all about how I use them in my home. I’ll tell you why I love them. But I won’t say you should use them, too. I will offer to help you get more information if you’re interested. I am happy to share the company where I get most of my oils. But I’m also quick to point out that I know people who have used other brands and loved them. And that I, myself, have used some other brands and been satisfied with the quality and performance. It is not (contrary to what most of the internet thinks) a 2 company exclusivity on high quality essential oils.
All this territorial, sometimes snarky, know-it-all attitude over essential oils, from people who’ve been “into” them for 2 or 3 years, is why I kind of wish they weren’t quite so popular right now. It’s like having this really wonderful secret fishing hole all to yourself and suddenly, every redneck and hillbilly* in the world finds out about it and shows up to noodle in your spot. And it would be a lot easier to share the bounty if the people coming in at the apex of \ popularity would be kinder, more teachable and less preachy.
Until next time … happy smelling – whatever you decide to burn or diffuse or melt or spray.
Love & Blessings,
That Farm Mama
*No offense meant, of course, to rednecks, hillbillies or noodlers … my hillbilly tendencies are well established in my circle of influence so I can comment without prejudice.
