Skin is Confidence?
Skin is confidence. The older I get the more I dig my heels into this belief, because I have never felt more myself than when I have freshly cleansed my skin from the physical and mental strains of the day; But I think the bigger issue is not that we don’t cleanse our skin, but we haven’t grasped what about our skin makes us so confident; further more, how do we keep nurturing that strand of soul so it becomes our very life? I had to think carefully about this, because a lot of what we see and hear about confidence is regurgitated, and nothing is wrong with that, but how do we create the layers we personally need to go about our days? Confidence is a life long process, and just like anything else worth having, it takes a decent amount of work .It will never be as simple as, quotes and a self-help book, so it’s time to accept that it is an everyday choice. I am dropping this post in the beautiful month of November, and that means extra care for skin as the weather changes.The drops in temperatures also mean a drop in moisture, because we are now using tools to keep us warm. Now, no judgement here, I am known to bump the heater to a nice 80 degrees (I am also anemic, so those of you who know me keep your comments to yourself!), so naturally those tools are taking the moisture directly from our skin. When something is being taken away, we want to replenish it, and that goes for our confidence too. Life has moments, both big and small, that can strip our confidence levels; and when that gets taken, how do we get that back?
Everyone has their own way of doing things, and this in no way takes away from the inner work that has to be done to maintain our confidence, but I think some of us need to start pretty small. When I think of small beginnings, I think of what I am building here, and even though at this moment it is just soap and my opinions in a blog that may only reach 5 people, at least it is something that makes me feel good. If you are reading this,and you want a small beginning, why not start with your skin.
So here’s what I think we should do:
Find a mirror and OBSERVE. Not just your skin, but observe what your skin does for you. It's the largest organ on the human body, a covering, your first impression, and your storybook depending on the scars you carry. We may find it hard to do, but everyday takes a little bit more time to just observe the skin you're in. Then ask yourself, "What do I need?". You may need a little lotion, a long bath, or just a bandaid for that paper cut you got a few moments ago. Whatever you need, go get that for yourself.
Use your RELEVENT senses. The number one thing about skin, in my opinion, is how it feels, both physically and figuratively. How does your skin feel? Is it over-soft, like you have not been out in the world? Is it dry because you have been in a rush to get to work or school. Has it been burned because you were too distracted in your own thoughts? Is it painful to touch because of the hurt you experienced in your life? Start to explore that when you have a moment. I understand that may be difficult, especially as a parent, but when it happens, because it will, take that opportunity.
CONNECT. When it’s all said and done, we have to connect to our confidence, and when I say connect, I mean we have to take responsibility for it. We have to decide that it is ours again and that we can’t give it to other people to care and nurture. When we are babies, our skin-care is in the hands of the big people in our life, and at some point that shifts. No matter if those people fumbled or took the initiative, when it’s our turn to take care of ourselves, we stand alone.
I worked on my confidence for years, and it was a slow process of exposing myself to things that worked for me, and I knew that the one thing that always helped me was taking care of my skin.
After a long hard day…
After ending my off and on…and off again toxic relationship…
After my low self-esteem has made me feel like I can’t do this parenting thing perfect…
After seeing my IG feed with women who seem to have it all figured out…
After being spiritually unsettled about choices I have made…
I take shower…
I take a bath…
I wash my face…
I moisturize with intention…
And then I sit with myself. Slowly, I start to heal and move forward.
Because I choose to.
Confidence is your choice too, don’t forget it.
Love,
Grace
