nada

Reflecting on my journey as an individual - once I hit puberty, I've immediately had to deal with acne & scarring.

I never really cared about it, to be completely honest, I was always going about my day not really caring what my skin looked like (I still don't, thankfully), but I have fallen under the influence of others' words when they would speak up about my complexion.

I understand that most were really genuine; some most likely thought that my complexion was affecting my psyche negatively, others were more so worried about how it would affect me if I got rejected from job interviews & the like due to my appearance.

Because of that, I ended up undergoing Accutane treatment 3 times, dealing with high cholesterol at the age of 18, not taking care of my metabolism as well (which instead caused me to gain weight) - the list goes on.

But as I approach my 30s, I'm realizing more & more that I really don't care what my skin looks like. I do put in the work; I try to eat right, I exercise three times a week, I (most days lol) do my skincare routine. But honestly, I LOVE my skin.

These scars show me that I've LIVED - I've eaten delicious foods, I've undergone stressful situations, I've overcome several health issues.

Would it be easier to go out without makeup & not have every sales person ask me "would you like to check out our new skincare line?" Yes, of course! But I don't let it bring me down anymore.

I love my skin in whatever stage it's in - scarred, clear, pimply, inflamed, whatever!

Most people - usually strangers - seem to be more affected by my skin than I am. Relax, it's not the end of the world... it's just skin - MY skin - and I love it just the way it is!

If you are, however, interested in my night time skincare routine, please check out my TikTok video - link at the bottom xx

Book review: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey🚦

As the title suggests, this memoir tries to help you look at life as a traffic light; where red means stop, yellow means slow down, & green means go, & how you could turn the red & yellow lights into green lights.

Although this book was written as a memoir, it doesn't feel like one because it was less "look at all the things I've done!" & more "here are x, y, & z things I went through, & here's what I learned", & more than anything it brings you back down to earth & realize that just because you think you know someone because of how they choose to portray themselves in the public eye; you actually don't know anything about them at all.

I absolutely loved this book, it was - & is - by far the best book I have read in a very very VERY long time, & I think everyone should read it - whether you're into memoirs or not. You won't regret it.

It's beautiful, gut-wrenching, touching, & educational all at the same time.

I truly could go on & on & on about this book, & still not be able to do it justice.🤍