In the 90s, the then Boston Metro newspaper published an article of mine with the same title. This post is similar in some ways, yet unique in others – and definitely less eloquent. You may consider this a random thought gone awry, as most of my posts are.
Flipping through a couple of dated magazines today in a hospital waiting room while my father underwent routine tests, I could not help but think about how much money we invest in the beauty industry. Not only beauty, but the proclaimed health and wellness industry overall. The ads were more abundant than the valuable content.
Sephora points, Ulta rewards, and GNC card carrying members. Medications to lose weight or regulate our dopamine and serotonin. We dole out dollars left and right to prevent aging, reclaim our youth, and gamble on a chance for that elusive thing named happiness.
Creams with claims to minimize wrinkles and facial washes designed to exfoliate, assuring us youthful, glowing skin. Shampoos to thicken hair and aggressive treatments for balding scalps. Protein powder and supplements that promise to shrink our waistline without any exercise at all. Workout routines that promise to make us thin and fit without cutting any calories or dieting. How naive can we be? Why do we continue to deceive ourselves?
Enough already! It seems as though we’ve lost sight of what’s truly important by prioritizing products and marketing pitches over authentic self-care. I’m not saying we stop trying to look and feel our best. Heck no – I’m a cosmetic addict! What I am saying is that we should take a step back and reevaluate our beauty standards – and what it’s costing us.
A depleted bank account is one issue, and an important one, but the others include disingenuous health, a false sense of self-esteem, and potential narcissism. How can we find peace and contentment when we relentlessly pursue beauty in a bottle? How will we achieve emotional hemostasis by judging the size of our thighs or how tiny our waistlines are? And why do we lose sleep over accumulative wrinkles and sagging skin – not to mention relentless comparisons of self to others. Exhausting!
This is life, my friends, and it’s not for the faint of heart. We age – and how blessed we are to get this honor! Our bodies change. Our mental acuity decreases. Our priorities shift.
My addiction to products is a reality that I battle. It’s an unhealthy way of dealing with emotions, anxiety and stress. I deem it unhealthy because I am well aware that I could release my angst by taking a walk in nature, or making time to meditate; maybe play more with my loving dog or practice the pause before I compulsively shop online for products that I will discard within an hour of arrival then stash away in a drawer forever. My purchases are not a matter a vanity, yet rather an obsessive pull to temporarily eradicate the perfect storm of feelings I suffer in the moment.
Ironically, the more vacant my cosmetics cabinet, the more content I am. It’s sparseness is liberating and a testament of happiness that comes from where it should – my heart, mind, and soul. No clutter. No need to decide which cream I’ll use that day or which lipstick to apply – just some of the ways that I distract myself from, well – myself.
Today, my hair is thinning, my middle’s expanding, and my mind wanders more frequently than I’d like. But truth be told, I’ve never been more free or happy.
No longer am I expending energy on people or things that don’t deserve my attention or effort. I’m participating in activities that enhance my existence and make a difference in the lives of others. I exercise to keep myself healthy, not necessarily get back to a size four – that would be a dream come true at this point, but I’m realistic. I do the best with what I got, and don’t waste time on what I never had.
So stop and take a moment to embrace life – embrace yourself, and others. Find the beauty within, and stop buying into the marketing machines that prey on your emotions and seek what’s in your wallet.
And if you’re suffering from compulsive purchasing?
Walk along the ocean. Look up at the moon. Wake to watch the sun rise.
This is beauty. This is happiness. This is life.
