Little Magazine 23

It’s Fall. Let’s clasp our hands together in thanks. (For this perfect sun and crisp air.)

For better

or for worse, Covid has coerced me to be inwardly reflective. Of all of the intensive leadership/personality assessments that I’ve taken, reflection was repeatedly my achilles’ heel. I’m constantly propelled forward. It’s my nature. It’s conveniently “NY” of me, but as it turns out, it’s terrible for my soul—and ultimately, my skin. This is a beauty blog, afterall! I’ll tie this together, I promise.

I was taken aback by my wiser counter parts back when I interviewed Tiffany and Peony, among the first to be featured in Little Magazine, when they mentioned that self-care (of some form—be it meditation, etc.), was routine form in their beauty regimen. I thought it was one of those “holistic” practices for the sake of being holistic. Not gonna lie, I was almost disappointed. Ha. Ha. Oh, silly me. How 2020 has humbled me. Hard topic shift…

There’s a gangster

jellyfish called Turritopsis dohrnii. To date, they’re the only species that has been called 'biologically immortal’ because they can turn back time by reverting to an earlier stage of their life cycle. That’s pretty amazing. God stuff. I’m not trying to live forever, though. I’m not even trying to look 21. I’m just trying to look “fresh” for my age, knowhatimeanjellybean? So you can imagine how frustrated I was when I was getting all the sleep, perhaps even squeezing in a live Keoni morning Bootcamp sesh and doing proper full-face cleansing, including masks… and I still looked like doo-doo. Then I started getting all of these messages about feelings. From my therapist, from church, from journaling… then I started heeding all of the messages and allowed myself to, wait for it… cry. I cried. I hate crying. It’s not cute. It bloats you and it’s dehydrating and just all-around messy and—ugh. I just abhore it for all of its thievery. Save all the juicy bits—after a long-needed cry, I noticed that the next day… my skin was aglow.

We live in an

emotionally costive society. It’s not exactly an appealing notion, but it’s true. I’ll save you some time on therapy costs and share my therapy homework assignment: watch Inside Out (yes I’m serious). I had to see it twice before I realized I reflexively checked out the first time. I numb myself when I get uncomfortable. I don’t allow myself to get sad. My hair may be carefully coiffed, makeup on point—I may even be coordinating my accessories to my outfit, on a good day, but, guess what… I can be completely out of touch with the deepest part of myself, and I had no. Clue. It took some seriously intentional, extensive deep-diving into super uncomfortable places to realize just how long I’ve been in this state (and I consider myself a proactively self-aware person).

What are you inhibiting yourself from doing? From feeling? What do you dislike about yourself? What about yourself makes you uncomfortable? I suggest taking a moment to carve out some time with yourself and really reflecting on these things. Perhaps in a comforting setting—taking a bath, a candle-lit evening journaling, whatever. Then sit with yourself. And be kind to yourself. Forgive yourself, and allow yourself to be guided into a freer place of peace. It’s going to be a process, and that’s all gravy. It’s a life-long process, I’m coming to realize. Here were my daunting clouds propelling me forward, always: that I’m not good enough, and that I’m unworthy of being loved. WHO KNEW! Also, apparently crying isn’t a once-every-few-years thing. Apparently it’s supposed to happen, like, fairly frequently. Also, healing is an ongoing process? NEWS TO ME! All jokes aside, I realize the importance of being proactive in carving out time to allow ourselves to purge.

That’s it.

That’s your beauty assignment. I’ve been sleep-deprived, been neglecting my thorough nightly skincare routine, and yet… I’m glowing. I think, perhaps, Covid has had its upsides afterall. The slowing down, the reconnecting—with our families, our loved ones… with ourselves. It’s a realignment of the basics. Yes, I miss wearing my drag-queen makeup sometimes, but also… I’m kind of loving my natural skin. I’m also enjoying the authentic conversations I’m getting to have with my clients that I’ve known for years. There’s a rawness that’s uncomfortable, vulnerable, but— needed. And it’s so beautiful and perfect, just like you. I hope you find part of the beauty that I see in you, and in every client that sits in my chair—that there is no one like you. There is only one you, and it’s such a treat to be given the opportunity to see you. Please allow yourself to see yourself. And be loved.

Here’s an article for proof if ya want (correlating emotional wellness with beauty).

I apologize this article was sent out late this week. I was allowing myself the margin to prioritize my heart this week. :)

I hope you appreciate how perfectly and beautifully you are made, dear friends! You are loved! I’ll see you next Tuesday. :) -Renee