How Not to F*ck Up Your Face

How Not to F*ck Up Your Face

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How Not to F*ck Up Your Face
How Not to F*ck Up Your Face
Another Peek at the Chemical Peel

Another Peek at the Chemical Peel

plus, finding self-compassion in unexpected places

Valerie Monroe's avatar
Valerie Monroe
Jul 16, 2024
∙ Paid
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How Not to F*ck Up Your Face
How Not to F*ck Up Your Face
Another Peek at the Chemical Peel
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Welcome readers, old and new!

Please hit the ❤️ above to send healing vibes to our very fragile republic.

I don’t know if it’s a good or bad thing, but this summer on the broiling streets of New York City, I’ve seen myself coming and going. By which I mean there is a robust squad of women, middle-aged and older, who appear to be dressing out of my closet in my exact same clothes and shoes. Midi-length shift, Birkenstocks, Apple watch, sunglasses (or sunglasses).

Sometimes there’s a ring or two; maybe a bracelet or a modest necklace. A number of these women have said to me in passing they thought I look nice. Thanks! Of course I do. I look just like you! On the one hand, it’s kind of fun to feel like I’m part of a trend; on the other, am I not thinking hard enough about what I wear?

Either way, I feel fine about it, which has to do with a topic close to my overheated heart these days: self-acceptance.

I was recently reintroduced to a bevy of studies that demonstrate how profound self-acceptance can be on your emotional and physical health. For example, without self-acceptance, automatic negative thoughts increase when dealing with an illness. And someone with more self-acceptance has increased gray matter in the regions of the brain that help control emotions and stress. So a lack of self-acceptance can actually disrupt emotional control. It’s not for naught that I keep harping about this exercise: Learn to see yourself as a person and, along with self-acceptance, you’ll likely find compassion lurking in places you haven’t noticed before. Like in the mirror.

Have you seen this woman?

A reminder that HNTFUYF is a payola-free zone. I get no cut from sales when I mention a product. I share this so you know my recommendations are offered without obligation. The beauty Q&A in this post sits quivering with excitement behind a paywall, waiting for you to discover it. For full access to all posts and the extensive archives, please become a paid subscriber at the currently discounted rate of $40/year. Can’t afford a subscription? Write to me at valeriemonroe@substack.com and I’ll give you a comp (no questions asked). 🙏

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