Got Milia?

plus, let's get buoyed

Welcome readers, old and new!

Please hit the ❤️ above to discover why giraffes have their special spots—information with no practical value (unless you’re a giraffe) but that’s fun to know.

☺️ ☺️ ☺️

In times of stress—wait a minute. Isn’t that how I began last week’s post? Sadly, yes. But a reader recently wrote me with a related suggestion I wanted to share with you. She’ll tell you about it:

Hi Val,

At this age/stage of life, I try to find non-dramatic, non-invasive tweaks that can buoy me when gravity—physical/chronological/political—is bringing me down.

I thought a list of these tweaks could be useful to others.

I’m sure you and your experts could expand upon this, but here are some little lifts that add to my sense of well-being and joy:

1. Getting a gloss on my grey (coarse/wavy) hair
2. A new lipstick for spring
3. Daily cardio and distance walks
4. Eating well—and by this I mean making each meal nourishing and delicious with fresh ingredients
5. Trying a new kind of self-care; I’m currently getting a lot out of monthly craniosacral therapy
6. Choosing to be with people who uplift me
7. Noticing nature’s colors as they change
8. Reading books outside my usual comfort zone; I’m especially enjoying memoirs written by women

The “experts” who might expand upon this list? That would be you, HNTFUYF-ers. Tweaks come in all shapes and sizes; some of the best are free. Please share your own for de-stressing and finding compassion in these interesting times. (For mine, check out last week’s post.)

After the paywall, advice on the best ways to get rid of an annoying—and common—complexion issue.

HNTFUYF is a payola-free, reader-supported zone. I get no cut from sales when I mention a product. My recommendations are offered without obligation, making HNTFUYF one of the very few places where you can get unadulterated beauty advice.

For full access to all posts and the extensive archives, please become a paid subscriber at the current rate of $40/year. Can’t afford a subscription? Write to me at valeriemonroe@substack.com and I’ll give you a comp. 🙏