Although I used this move as an opportunity to get rid of a lot of my stuff, I wouldn't call myself a minimalist. However, I've unintentionally become the ultimate minimalist when it comes to my bathroom routine—mostly out of laziness.

In Japan, people generally don't wash their bodies while soaking in the bathtub. They only warm themselves up in it and wash their bodies outside of it. They get in and out a few times, but before their first soak, everyone washes up to some degree, so the water stays relatively clean. Japanese families use the same bathwater, refilling and draining it only once a day.

One winter day, it was cold outside the bathtub, so I ditched cleaning myself before soaking. At that time, I had just started living alone—why on earth would I have to keep the bathwater clean? Besides, I had stopped using soap and shampoo. My hair and body don't get that dirty. I take a bath every day and clean my hair and body thoroughly using only my hands to scrub. That's more than enough, I think.

I had been using a water ladle to wash my hair but threw it away before moving. I recently ordered a shower head holder and I'm waiting for it to arrive. I plan to set it at a low position above the bathtub. I quietly soak in the bathtub, being careful not to splash water outside, and, before getting out, I quickly clean the inside of the tub. Splashing water—especially with soap and shampoo—is what really makes the bathroom dirty. My minimalist routine makes keeping the bathroom clean much easier.

I think it's also eco-friendly. While I know that as humans, we affect the earth one way or another, I try to choose the more conscientious option when I don’t have a strong preference or desire.