When I was 16 I started to break out in spots, it quickly turned into cystic acne. 

I compared my skin to everyone around me. I found it hard to love myself and would often cry when I looked at my bare face reflection in the mirror. Somewhere along the way, after years of social influences, opinions, hormones, and not so lovely memories, I had slowly but surely forgotten how to love that little girl within. 

I forgot how to look after my body. I forgot how to fuel it with food for the soul, like my Mum had taught me the importance of doing. My skin got increasingly worse. I tried every product, cream and treatment to try and ‘fix it’ so that I could love myself, but I didn’t remember the importance of loving my inner self for a good few years or the significance of doing the inner work - beginning to understand those triggers along the life-long journey of discovering who you are and who you can become. 

Self care, even a 5 - 10 minute skincare ritual - fuelling and looking after my skin with natural organic products and calming my nervous system by breathing in those essential oils - allows me to take time to tune in with myself and recharge, so I’m excited for whatever life has to offer me that day. It’s a chance to listen to how I’m feeling and what I may need in each moment. It affects how I show up for the people in my life and allows me to set those healthy boundaries when my energy is at 30 percent. Later on, my nighttime routine is an opportunity to reflect on the day that’s been and any lessons to be learnt.