Numerous global conflicts and human rights violations are unfolding, while climate change drives an increase in severe weather events. In America, the cost of living is rising, food quality has declined, and the education system faces significant challenges. With an election on the horizon, the rights and livelihoods of women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people of color, and working-class families are under constant threat. Furthermore, the impact of technology on mental health has led to increased anxiety and disconnection among individuals. Political polarization and the spread of misinformation also exacerbate these issues, leaving systemic problems that have long favored a privileged few feeling more strained and in urgent need of reform.

There's a family member on Facebook spreading weird religious images and touting political one-liners they’ve read nothing about, and your twelve-year-old cousin is overwhelmed in school due to their inability to critically navigate everything being thrown at them at such a young age. The good, the bad, the false, and the ugly are in front of our faces at all times. We search for ways to compartmentalize, to quiet our minds, go inward, or place activism where we can: call your senator, vote, donate $25 here, etc., hoping our action will help these panic-adjacent thoughts that consistently loom over our day-to-day lives subside. But it all lingers, sitting in our minds and clouding our interactions and ability to truly unplug and relax.

I read something recently that said the world is experiencing a collapse (oh, so it’s not just us?), and from this collapse, something new will emerge. This idea raises important questions: Is this true? If so, what does it mean for the common person? Do we sit idly by and watch these systems fall while also working to establish better ideologies and governing structures? Do we engage in inner work to raise the vibration of the world, shifting the energy and contributing to a new way of thinking and operating? Yes, I’m serious - grab your crystals or something. This invites us to consider both the macro (systemic) and micro (individual) aspects of addressing the current crisis, framing it as both a philosophical question and a practical challenge.

Following the uptick in things getting and feeling worse, people are experiencing unprecedented stress and anxiety, many turning to prescription drugs to help manage their everyday lives. Some have turned to breathwork, guided meditations, journaling, taking a break from the internet and social media, halting their intake of news and media as a whole, and more. But I have to ask, is any of it really enough? Enough to help us unclench our jaws, feel moments of peace, have a thought that things in our world will be okay? Feel “okay” enough to have children? I will say, the people I know that aren’t on social media and haven’t been for years seem significantly lighter than the rest of us—so maybe we start there?

I’ve got a close friend who, anytime I find myself spiraling, usually about these issues, or someone we know acting up, or someone famous doing something weird and outlandish, says, “please touch grass.” I think this sentiment is pertinent for the state of things lately. It would serve all of us well to get outside, host or attend more dinner parties, meet a friend for a walk, travel to places where you’re surrounded by nature, and better yet, meet people who aren’t the same as the ones you see every single day. We seem to be perpetually stuck on this wheel of existing, stressing, and not really living. We need less technology/internet, more social interactions with people who bring us joy and laughter, who help pull us away from the current state of affairs that seem to plague us all to varying degrees. I find that breaking up your mental and/or physical routine helps us recenter and see outside of our self-made bubbles.

I’ll close with this. First, please vote. Your vote does matter to some degree, and for those who have never voted before, registering is easy. You’re not only voting for the presidential candidate; you’re voting for local officials who will make decisions that affect your day-to-day life. Educate yourself on who’s running, what their policies are, if they have any substantive policies other than the persecution of those they don’t like, and what organizations donate to their campaigns.

Next, I encourage you to look into meditation and breathwork. Discover what works best for you, maybe it’s both, and try to carve out ten minutes a day to sit and be with yourself and your thoughts. Further, get outside or get together with friends. It will help you, even if you’re an introvert. Find your people (and better yet, new people) and infuse those interactions into your life. Keep an open mind, try to educate yourself on issues/causes that affect you but also that affect others. Find what matters to you or people you know. Focus on the value proposition of said causes and what those people or organizations are doing and why. If you’re donating your money to an organization, make sure you can follow where the money goes.

While I think there’s a lot of noise online about activism, and this weird thing where if you’re not posting about XYZ issues, you aren’t a good person or humanitarian (a conversation for another time), there is always a cause to get behind and ways in which you can make a positive difference. Lastly, be kind—it goes a long way, and I believe there’s a ripple effect when people pass along kindness that’s been shown to them, no matter how small.

I’m sure I missed a ton of suggestions on how to unburden yourself from the state of things. If there’s something you feel strongly about, or if you feel strongly that things are totally fine in our country (LOL), drop a comment below or DM me on Instagram. I’d love to chat with you about these issues or anything else on your mind, especially since there are so many nuances that surround any one or all of these issues. Okay, time to take my dogs for their morning walk.

Let me preface with a few things. I should probably put this on Substack, but I pay for this site, so we’re starting here. This isn’t one of those countless influencer posts that run rampant on TikTok and Instagram. I’m not hawking products I’m getting paid for, nor am I implying that what works for me will work for you. I’ve arrived at knowing what works for me through countless hours of researching products, ingredients, causes of rosacea, weather and its impacts on skin (Chicago: not so kind; Florida: oh so kind), gut health, oils vs. serums, and more. I suggest you do the same—said in a non-menacing tone.

I’m as fair and pale as they come, and with that comes allergies and sensitivities to certain products, perfumes, and ingredients. As my good friend Paulina reminds me, “That’s some white people shit,” and it certainly, sadly is! What I’ve discovered is my skin appreciates the less-is-more approach, aka gentler ingredients. I rotate serums, oils, and moisturizers daily. I don’t stick to a strict morning/evening routine. Instead, I see what my skin seems to need and select the products in my cabinet accordingly.

Ok, let’s get into it—and by “it,” I mean the products.

Cleanser

I recently had a facial at Sana Skin Studio, a spa with multiple locations in South Florida. Their aesthetics and ethos caught my eye, and while browsing, I noticed they carry a few brands I'm familiar with, like Augustinus Bader. Admittedly pricey, but undeniably great.

After the facial, my facialist guided me around their product section (she didn't push; I asked her to show me a few things), and I'm glad she did. She introduced me to Pai Skincare, a London-based brand known for ethical practices and great ingredients. She recommended their Rosehip Cleansing Oil, a gentle cleanser that when applied to dry skin helps remove makeup, SPF, and daily pollutants. It also smells wonderful. I've found it to be a refreshing alternative to my usual favorite, Living Libations Sea Buckthorn Cleansing Oil, a product I often recommend to friends.

Essence & Toner

Am I here to convince you to buy the ubiquitous Snail Mucin essence? Nope. But, you can certainly give it a shot in order to help your other products absorb a tad better (just remember to apply it to wet skin as a first step after cleansing in the morning).

What I'm really into is an essence from Agent Nateur. It's a hydration booster, a redness reducer, and a dead skin cell dissolver all rolled into one. Think a gentle toner. I incorporate it into my routine three times a week after cleansing, particularly at night. The founder's story is intriguing, but I'll let you delve into that yourself. Interestingly, I enjoy being on their email list, a rarity for me. They don't bombard your inbox (no one wants an email from one brand everyday, c’mon), and their emails are both informative and engaging.

Now, for a proper toner, I've been using the Danucera D22 Tonic from the founder of Rescue Spa. If you ever find yourself in the West Village, make sure to swing by the Rescue Spa for a facial, and treat yourself to lunch at Palma afterward—thank me later! This toner is packed with vitamins and works to unclog pores and boost elasticity. I use it maybe once or twice a week, depending on how my skin texture is looking, with a reusable cotton pad in upward motions. Let me add a little note here, skin texture is normal. The Kardashians and influencers have warped peoples’ minds into thinking skin needs to be as poreless and even as possible - “glass skin”. That isn’t realistic, don’t buy into their photoshop, Facetune lies. Anyway, this toner is great - moving on!

Serums, Oils, Oh My!

Whilst at the aforementioned Sana Skin Studio for a facial, my esthetician also introduced me to Linné's Renew Face Serum. It works to help with texture, hydration, and to plump the skin. I’ve also been using and loving both Pai’s Rosehip Oil and Trader Joe's Jojoba Oil (did you know that jojoba oil closely resembles the sebum on our skin and thus, our skin soaks it right up)? I also reach for Biologique Recherche's Toleskin Serum when I have a big night or event coming up, it helps even things out and lock in that glow.

Moisturizers

As mentioned, she is a fragile delicate flower (she, is me), so we have to tailor moisturizers accordingly. Enter La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Sensitive Cream, wear it day or night. A close second is Sahajan’s Ayurvedic Nourish Crème Rich cream, perfect in the evening since it's a bit thicker. I can feel my friend Amanda rolling her eyes at some of my granola skincare choices, but that’s showbiz, baby! Want something a bit more natural and easy to throw in your bag and reapply during the day? Try Apt Herbals the salve - this is a small production out of Oregon, with ingredients sourced from their garden or local farms. I adore their products, the salve helped when I was struggling with a bit of eczema while living in Austin, TX. Add their rose oil and calendula lip balm to your cart while you're at it - you won’t regret it. I’m also a big fan of French Pharmacy beauty products and I enjoy Ialuset’s À L’acide Hyaluronique cream, which is great for other parts of your body that also need some TLC. Dry elbows anyone? You can buy these products online, but if you ever find yourself in the greater Paris area, pop into any pharmacy to experience cult-favorite French shampoos, lip balms, makeup, and skincare at your fingertips.

Fun Stuff

We’re almost done, can you believe it? I bet you thought this would be short, ha, please. Alright, I mentioned Biologique Recherche earlier. To preface, their products have a ton of active ingredients, so if you're new to the brand, start slow and see how your skin responds. I adore their Masque Visolastine; it’s going to get you hydrated and leave you glowing. I use it once a week, and it never lets me down. Also, Masque Vivant is great for tightening, clearing out pores, and removing excess oil. In that same breath, let's talk sheet masks. Don’t fall for the hype that you need to buy expensive sheet masks. Hop over to your local H Mart or find a distributor of Korean skincare online and order a few based on what you think you need: clarifying, brightening, hydrating, calming, whatever, and keep it moving. They're inexpensive and great. Retinol? I haven't made the jump yet; however, my friend Ashley recently turned me onto A313. All the French girlies love it, and it’s a nice alternative to retinol. Will report back!

Skin Mist. I love a good spritz that smells nice and makes my skin feel lighter. I'm a repeat buyer of Avène’s Thermal Spring Water Mist; it's a quick way to feel hydrated or to use after your toner before adding your serums and oils. I also recently had the pleasure of being introduced to Dehiya’s Safi Face Mist, which works to do the same and smells like a nice herbal situation. Finally, I have a red light therapy mask from Omniluxe. I’m going to be honest with you, the rumors are true - these red light masks make such a difference. I start my day with a little ten minute meditation while wearing it and I’ve definitely noticed an improvement in my skin. If you're curious about them, I recommend researching the benefits and price points and making your decision from there.

Ok, that was fun - let’s do it again sometime