On Suffocating Systems, Sincere Self-worth and Skin Secrets

As I continue to talk about my trash ass 2023 year of business, the messages I keep getting are affirming my decision to do it. The ways folks are like “YOU TOO?” is letting me know to keep going because one of the things we need more of, is the truth. And one of the things we need to do is operate less in silos.

I’m reminded that we can truly create domino effects simply by showing up with courage, even when it’s hard. 🙏🏾

So I so appreciate y’all and the continuous dope feedback you’ve been sending my way about this season’s podcast.

Much more to come on that. Let’s jump into what is on my mind this week. 👇🏾

RANT

Meta AI is annoying AF.

I know AI is the next big thing and even though it’s absolutely giving me iRobot vibes, I still see the upside in the ways it can help us.

HOWSOEVER… the way it’s being forced down our throats by these apps is something I do not appreciate. Like… can we live? 🤦🏾‍♀️

AI has its place, sure. It’s great for crunching numbers, predicting trends, and even helping us come up with good restaurants to try. But do we really need it everywhere? Like everywhere, everywhere? Does every single feature of every single app need to incorporate AI? I don’t think so. 🙅🏾‍♀️

Recently, Meta (the evil overlords who run IG, FB, Threads, and Whatsapp) pushed an update through that integrated Meta AI search through all the platforms. So when you go to do ANY search, the default is the AI. And we cannot opt out. 😩

I’m over here just trying to find a group chat in my WhatsApp and it’s asking me if I need instructions. , not ask the robot for instructions. Ugh, it’s like having Clippy from Microsoft Word all over again, and we all know how annoying that was!

But it’s not just WhatsApp. I tried to search for something in FB, and their AI search is what butted in. I was like FACE YOUR ROBOTIC FRONT.

HATE IT SO SO MUCH! 😤

REFLECTION

We don’t have to earn our worthiness.

“Worthiness” is a word I’ve been thinking about. What does it mean? And what makes us worthy?

To be worthy is to have value. So what makes us worthy? Is it from the work we do? How we look? Who we love? Is it from the ways we can give back? Is it based on how selfless we are? Is it about how many people love us, even? 🤔💭

The answer to all of that is NOPE. Because truly, what makes us worthy? The breaths in our bodies. We were worthy the day we were born, pure and untouched. And we are worthy today, flaws, traumas, mistakes and all.

In this world of comparison and competition, it’s easy to forget this powerful thing – the reality of the inherent worthiness we carry simply by existing. It’s easy to overlook or forget, especially in a world that measures our value by external achievements, appearances, or validation from others. Yet, at our core, we are worthy beings simply because we are alive, breathing, and inhabiting this space we call the world. 🙏🏾

We push ourselves to excel in our careers, to maintain perfect appearances, to please others at the expense of our own well-being—all in the futile pursuit of proving our value to the world. But what if we paused for a moment to recognize that our worthiness is not something to be earned or proven, but rather something embedded in our very BEING?

You are worthy of love, kindness, respect, good things, dreams realized, SIMPLY because you are here, in this time and plane. ❤️

You don’t have to PROVE or EARN your worthiness. So take a deep breath, take the pressure off and know that even if/when you are rejected, it doesn’t mean you aren’t of value; it just means you were in the wrong place, or with the wrong person. Or maybe that room or relationship didn’t need you, and that’s okay too.

May we all find strength and courage in the knowledge that we are worthy, simply because we are here. 💪🏾

RECOMMENDATION

Get your skincare routine locked in.

I’ll tell you now why I’m a skincare girly: I wanna be able to leave my house without makeup on and still feel confident. Soooo even though I’ve had aight skin, now I got BOMB skin. It glows and on most days, I throw on a red lip and eyeliner and keep it moving.. 💆🏾‍♀️❤️
Me without any makeup. ❤️

Sooo lemme tell you my routine (and let the recommendation show that it takes me 3 minutes cuz I’m also lazy and I’m not tryna spend 30 minutes on my face every morning because that then defeats my original purpose).

• Cleanser – Get clean.
• Toner/exfoliant – Because dead skin where?!?
• Serums – only 1 or 2
• Moisturizer (with sunscreen) – cuz we can’t be dry out here.

My dermatologist just shouted out my skin when I was in for my annual checkup and had me on cloud 9 for the rest of the week. 💅🏾💅🏾💅🏾

One of my FAVORITE FAVE skincare brands is Paula’s Choice and it’s my tried and true go-to for a lot of my products. Been using them for 4 years. Here are 3 of my must-have products:

• 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant – put this on a cotton swab and rub over your face and it will keep dead skin gone, which means products absorb better and your face is less textured. BONUS use: under your armpits and it helps discoloration.
• C15 Super Booster – this provides GLOW so you look sunkissed even in the winter.
• Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster – I just started using this a couple of months ago and it helps with fine lines and makes my skin look plumper

These 3 are my jam and I use them every day. I will say that for the BHA exfoliant, start by using it 2-3 times a week. You ain’t gotta use it daily like me but my face also isn’t sensitive.

If you have no idea where to start when it comes to skincare, jump into this guide with all my top skincare essentials – including a good order for how to use the products: Skincare Essentials: My Guide to Flawless Skin 🧴❤️

What are your go-to products for your skincare routine? I love a good recommendation! Hit reply and let me know!

#ad #sponsored #paulaschoicepartner #planethowl