Embracing Real Skin: A Journey to Self-Acceptance and Natural Healing for Imperfect Skin

"I struggled with a body that kept me in a constant state of fear and discomfort until I realized the true beauty of imperfection."

In a world obsessed with filters and airbrushed perfection where radiant skin and flawless faces are plastered over every screen, social media and magazine cover, it's easy to feel like our real selves don't measure up.

Embracing real skin isn't just about skincare; it's a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. It's about acknowledging our skin as-is with its vulnerabilities and insecurities. It's about recognizing that these ‘imperfections’ don't define us; they're simply a part of our story.

I've learned that true beauty lies not in flawlessness, but in authenticity. It's in the courage to show up as we are, and to choose to love ourselves fiercely, despite our perceived flaws.

In the midst of my recovery, I realized that in a span of two years, I aged by what seemed like 10 years. My skin and hair were not mine. Wrinkles and greys appeared seemingly overnight, leaving me feeling like a stranger in my own skin. 

I struggled with these ‘imperfections’ that appeared to magnify every time I looked in the mirror.

I tried to hide from the public by covering my hair and neck with scarves, hats and hair wraps because I was holding on to the ‘perfect’ skin I was promised.

I struggled with a body that kept me in a constant state of fear and discomfort until I realized the true beauty of imperfection. 

Now my focus is specifically on creating powerful whole plant medicine blends that ease the discomfort of issues following trauma and inflammation and skin care that supports gentle aging (not anti-aging) and conditions similar to my own story.

To anyone out there struggling with imperfect skin, I see you. I understand the pain and frustration of feeling like your skin isn’t yours. But I want you to know that you are not alone. 

Your struggles are valid, and your journey, at whatever stage is worthy of celebration.

It's okay to feel vulnerable and imperfect. It's okay to have bad skin days and to question your worth. But remember, you are so much more than the sum of your flaws. 

You are a masterpiece in progress, a work of art in motion.

"Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself"- Coco Chanel

So how do you start loving your skin, body- the real you regardless of imperfections? I’ll tell you how I do it.

✦Look to nature- Spending time in nature planting herbs, picking flowers and tending my small backyard garden has helped me develop a deep admiration for the resilience of nature, whose constant battle with harsh environments doesn’t leave a dent in its path to thrive. So, if nature can. I believe, I too can flourish in spite of life’s struggles. I choose to!

✦See the gift in your limitations- The biggest lessons I have learned in my 45 years of living have been from choosing to shift my perspective from victim to student and seeing every obstacle as a lesson and opportunity to grow every day.

✦Be present- Pause, get quiet, slow down and hold space for the real you outside of your incessant thoughts. Then listen to your inner guidance or spirit. Give it room to show you the true reality that is in front of you, instead of the distorted reality created by your mind.

Try putting these into practice today and maybe you will love yourself a little more today.

So, let's embrace our real skin, scars, marks, wrinkles and all, and celebrate the beauty of our imperfections.

With love and understanding, Flora 🤍