The Skin I’m In

I am not always comfortable in the skin I’m in. I am quick to admit that aging shows, especially first thing in the morning when you need a crowbar to lift up your half open eye lid and your hair looks like you stood behind a jet plane for your blow out. I don’t know if you do this. But, with my recent birthday (and birthday’s before it) I find myself in a spin cycle of self-evaluation. I have to remind myself that chasing youth is an unwinnable war and my face looks lived in (crinkles, platinum grandma highlights and all).

I recently came across a bunch of notes written on scraps of paper. Things that pop into my head and if I don’t write them down straight away they will be gone in a “poof”. If you’re a blogger, I’m sure you know exactly what I mean. If you keep a gratitude journal, blessings journal or diary I bet you do this too. But, the note with the grocery list on it, well I often find myself without that note. It’s usually five minutes after I arrive at the market and have thoroughly sanitized the cart handle and the seat where cute babies sit in their full diapers.

• One note started with, “write an ageing (aging) post” for my birthday.
I’m sure I meant to write something profound, something assuring you that ageing brings clarity and a relaxed feeling of joy. But, I am a work in progress and I am always working towards being happy with the skin I’m in.
• Other notes-Don’t listen to the voice on the anti-aging infomercial.
• What to avoid at your annual “girlie bits” checkup. While you sit in an elegant paper gown waiting for …well..you know.. try to avoid eye contact with the glossy brochures calling out ways to change. How can so many anti-aging brochures have women who are in their mid-30’s representing how to turn back time. Okay, now I’m singing. I love Cher!

Although these upgrades are not for me, I am not saying don’t have an injection or lift what is sagging if it is what you feel will make you smile more when you look in the mirror. Ask your dermatologist about fillers and cool sculpting and whatever it is you feel will improve your self-acceptance. Do it for you though never for someone else. Learn to stifle your inner critic. Don’t judge your appearance too quickly. Consider any physical and permanent changes carefully. Think about it for 30 days. Chances are you might not feel you need it after all. If you think you need to make improvements on the outside go for it. I’m still trying to figure out how to make my eyebrows look like furry caterpillars instead of teeny tiny pencil lines.

Hubby calls me a classic beauty. Mother (aka Mummy) says I look much younger than my years. She is convinced it is because I have always taken good care of my skin and that I have been using Vaseline petroleum jelly to remove my eye makeup since the dawn of time. Whenever you are feeling a bit down about your appearance, ask a loved one how you look.

In addition, wash away the debris of the day. Moisturize daily, use sunscreen daily, exfoliate twice a week and drink lots of water. As we age our skin dries out and loses collagen. It’s important to keep your skin healthy and to have an annual “mole patrol”. Our skin is the largest organ of your body and no matter your age it needs to be treated with care and attention.

• More Notes
• Laughter makes the best lines
• Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
• Keep in mind the never said enough, cliché’ “beauty is on the inside”.
• Continue a healthy skin routine. I love my Olay ProX Advanced Cleansing System with Facial Brush.
• Find the sunny side ( discounts) in receiving the Aarp monthly newspaper. I get letters advertising funeral plans and retirement homes instead of Victoria Secret brochures.
• At the end of the day, wash your face, apply your moisturizer and find your “face” value in being the person you are on the inside and there is no need in seeking validation from others.
Have a little Kum ba yah moment with yourself and know that time and tide wait for no one. But good skin care is for everyone.

The Skin I’m In- My outer shell may have cracks but inside I am solid.

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