Last week, I was waxing philosophical about taking charge of my life and my health. And I was celebrating that one pound I lost that stayed off.
Well, it didn’t stay off but I didn’t get one bit discouraged. I still drink my green smoothies and, yes, I just finished week 2 of the Couch to 5k program. At least now I feel like I might have a fighting chance if a homicidal maniac was ever chasing me. And did I mention why I’m doing all of this?
Because I’m getting old.
There. I said it. If you don’t know my age, you can look back at my posts or ask someone. It’s not a secret. I don’t deny my age or the fact that I’m getting older. I just don’t necessarily like it. The gray hairs that are popping up are okay. The thinning hair is not. The settling of certain body parts is okay with me. The inner tube around my waist is not. The drier skin on my cheeks in the winter is okay. The lines under my eyes are not.
So I’d like to change a few things. And to keep me in check, I always refer back to one of my favorite sayings:
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.”
I seem to have serenity about plenty of things. And I have courage, especially when it comes to hair dye. But what about my skin? Where’s the wisdom?
Here’s what I’ve picked up in the past few decades…
Beauty starts from within but it’s also reflected on the outside.
I’m not being shallow. I’m being serious. I have a good heart and soul and I’d really like my face to youthfully reflect that. So I’m working both angles.
On the inside…
I’ve changed my diet. More fruits and veggies, lots more water, less meat, less really bad food like french fries. I’m also trying to get more sleep. I’ve been letting things go if I’m tired at night. You may have noticed I have more afternoon posts than morning posts these days. Now you know why.
Then there’s the external stuff. I’m fortunate enough to have had several opportunities to work with The Museum Spa, a medical spa here in Raleigh, NC. I had a great consultation and a few treatments. Then I received a bounty of skincare products that I’ve been using religiously. But was there more work to be done?
Oh yes.
I tend to be more of a natural girl at heart so I still stuck to my guns on having treatments that didn’t require injections or anything along those lines. I took the advice of Collette, my aesthetician at The Museum Spa, and signed up for two more treatments: IPL treatment and a chemical peel. Here’s how it went down.
So I look good (most of the time) and I feel good (most of the time). And I think I’ve finally found a little serenity and wisdom.
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I had to make sure (just in case you didn’t watch the video but I really wish you would PLEEEEEASE!) that I emphasized one of my secret weapons that I showed you in the video. It’s my Clarisonic Mia and women have told me (you know who you are) that they just can’t live without it. Personally, I love mine and my face has never felt cleaner.
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Disclosure: The Museum Spa treated me like a queen and provided me with complimentary services and even arranged for Clarisonic Mia at no charge. I love the women there and would gladly say nice things about them just because, but this post was strictly my opinion. All views and content are my own. This post contains affiliate links.
5 comments
I agree with your list, Fadra, but I would add that the gravitational pull on assorted body parts is particularly heinous. Also, I think you are beautiful and your skin looks great!
Thank you, Helene. I’m mostly okay with aging but if someone wants to offer me treatments, I’ll take it!
You have gorgeous skin! Sometimes I think it would nice to receive a new spa treatment here and there, but I have sensitive skin and that is what holds me back. I am afraid my skin will melt away, lol.
Fadra, I hear you. I just turned 45 and have been traveling with with my son for the last 3 years. Backpackers are all in their 20s. Seems like because I’m living an alternative lifestyle they feel compelled to ask me my age. I always oblige, but the thing I hate the most is when a 20 year old tells me I look great for my age!! What does that mean? I have the same issues as you do + the dark circles around my eyes when I don’t get enough sleep. Yep, my body takes longer to recover from an overnight bus trip then a 20 year old, or my 12 year old son, but on the inside, I’m just as vibrant and filled with life as I ever was.
Oooooh, free spa treatments!!!
Good for you for taking care of yourself. I’m trying to do that too, but I’m slightly less successful!