Hello Lovelies,

Let us talk about “Wellness,” shall we? A concept that we should be thrilled is trending in 2019. But like so many things in life, there is a beast hidden behind the beauty. All around us, people from major retailers to beauty vloggers on YouTube are preaching “wellness” and the importance of “self-care.” This may not be a popular opinion, but I call bullshit. Forgive me for being blunt, but this is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. I mean, I began this blog with the intent of it being focused on this idea of wellness, so I, too am guilty of partaking in this movement. A movement that is glorifying well-being and monetizing self-care. To risk sounding dramatic, corporations can smell our vulnerability and you best believe that they are taking advantage of our insecurities to prey upon us to fuel their selfish desires.

We are being told that in order to be happy and to feel “well” we need to spend hundreds of dollars on beauty and skin care products; that we must pay hundreds of dollars a month to join a yoga studio and find our inner peace. I hate to be the one to tell you this but you will never find this notorious “inner peace” and satisfaction with your self through external practices. You have to look into yourself and your mind if you ever want to truly feel complete. People have an inherent desire to “fit in” and let’s be honest, we are obsessive about the latest and greatest when it comes to consumer products. We jump onto the next bandwagon without even knowing where it is going or why it is worth hopping on.

Of course make-up and skin care companies are going to try and convince you that you are broken, because then you will buy whatever it is that they are selling to “fix” yourself. Please listen to me when I say that you are not broken. Sure, you may feel broken sometimes, but heck, we all have those days. It does not mean that we need to lose site of who we truly are in an attempt to conform and be loved by others.

Forgive me for this little rant, but it is a truth that needs to be heard. Rather than teaching each other that we will be “better” and “okay” if we toss a bath bomb into the tub, we should be focused on mentally and emotionally supporting one another. Through late night phone calls, spontaneous therapy sessions with one another, impromptu movie nights with your girlfriends. Through spending time and opening our minds and hearts… that is the way to true wellness. Those moments shared with the ones we love and the moments spent in solitude with our selves.

Look… I enjoy my morning makeup and evening skin-care routine too. I am NOT shaming anyone who loves to find happiness through material products. If it truly makes your soul sing then shop till you drop! But if no amount of money spent can fill the voids that creep up on you when you let your guard down, I simply encourage you to try another way. To use the currency of time and shared moments to fuel your heart and mend your mind. At the end of the day I am just trying to navigate life just like everyone else. And I am okay with that; because the journey to get there is what makes it all worth it in the end.

What do you like to do to self-reflect and mend your mind and spirit? Some things that help me are to write my thoughts and feelings down in a journal or to take some time for deep breathing and introspection. Comment below your fave methods!

Yours Happily,

Kristyn xo