I'm sure none of you missed me but I haven't written a "daily" email since Thursday. I aim to do them
Mon-Thurs but this week, I ended up hungover on Monday and then moving villa yesterday so here we are.
I was tempted to leave it again but I don't want to fall out of the habit.
So today I want to talk about why I hate receiving skin advice.
I am 32 and still get spots. They can be quite bad, and my face has been especially bad since I got back to Bali.
It's one of the most frustrating things in my life. There are days that I don't want to leave the house.
I am really good friends with Ireland's top skin expert Corinna Tolan (not sure if that's an official title but I just gave it to her). I'm also working with another amazing lady here in Bali.
We have nailed down the main problem with my skin:
It's really dirty and sweaty here, and worst of all:
I pick at it.
If I feel any lump or bump or dry skin, I'll pick at it.
Often, it is completely subconscious. It's a problem for years. I remember when my mam used to tell me to sit on my hands.
I have Sinead and Ed trained to give out to me when they see me touch my face.
I get so annoyed at myself, and I've considered hypnotherapy. If I manage to not touch my skin, and keep it clean with regular facials - I have no spots, and therefore no need to pick. I'm already using all the best products that money can buy for my skin.
But if I mention anything about my skin, I will get
SO MANY messages from people telling me what latest product is amazing, or what food I shouldn't be eating, or to go on roaccutane.
The thing is,
everyone is trying to be nice and helpful. I then have to reply to all these messages saying thank you but I actually just self-sabotage myself.
It makes me feel even worse about myself.
I like to compare it to
somebody who struggles with their weight.
Imagine somebody is really upset about their weight gain and because they're so conscious of it, they mention it on their story.
And then they receive 100s of messages telling them to
just stop eating so much, to try cut out carbs, or to try an unhealthy diet supplement.
They know it's coming from a good place but they have to reply and say thank you for the advice but it's actually because I have no self-control around food (for whatever reason).
I suppose the point of this email is that
there isn't always a simple solution, and to consider the situation before you offer unsolicited advice.
The person you are giving nutrition advice to good be great friends with the best nutritionist, but is not getting results for other reasons.
Soooo I guess my point is that if you have sent me skin advice, thank you, but I need to get advice on stopping subconscious habits.
Actually, (and this is me looking for advice, i.e. solicited), if anyone has advice on getting hypnotised or anything like that, I'd love a reply!
Thanks for reading,
Siobhan "Solicited advice > Unsolicited advice" O'Hagan