I have a terrible time remembering to take my eye makeup off at night and put on my age-defying night cream. Now that I am embarking on 37, I realize that changing habits and taking care of my skin is just as important as any other part of my body.
Nine times out of ten the reason that my Neutrogena makes its way on to my face is that I didn’t ever put on makeup in the first place. It’s a truly vicious cycle and a seemingly bad habit I cannot break. Aside from the fact, I don’t want my skin to look sick or old is the reality that it cost $28 of my hard earned money. The financial contribution alone should be reason enough to get my butt in gear.
All this worry about my skin health started about a year ago. I asked friends, consulted with family members and completed a fair amount of internet research to determine what products to buy. Based on the anticipated benefit compared to the cost I made the decision to go with Neutrogena Triple Action Night cream. It’s soft, not to heavy and smells fairly nice. So what’s the hold-up? It’s because I have other bad habits that contribute to me not being able to change habits for the better. Falling asleep on the couch, being lazy after dinner, not doing it when I have finished work for the day, and the list could continue.
Last month, appalled by my lack of planning and willpower, I found myself ready to give up. As I weighed out all my options to ensure I utilized my “old lady cream,” I had an epiphany. Maybe if I place the cute little purple jar beside my bed then I would remember to slather it on, even if I was half asleep and exhausted. This attempt to alter my habit and my routine was about as beneficial as banging my head against the wall. I kept asking myself, “Why can’t I remember to put on my face cream? It’s not even a difficult chore.” It was beginning to feel as if that little purple jar was taunting me in some way. The Neutrogena that sits on the nightstand is there just to remind me of all the things I didn’t do.
I have been hearing all my life that it takes 21 days to make something a habit. Google research supported this 21-day theory for the most part so I will assume it’s fact until I actually change a habit for 21 days and nothing happens.
Mrs. B.
It’s all about changing habits – my habits – which is really difficult. I have been hearing all my life that it takes 21 days to make something a habit. Google research supported this 21-day theory for the most part so I will assume it’s fact until I actually change a habit for 21 days and nothing happens. Clearly, I am taking the easy route first and trying to incorporate what I consider to be a good habit instead of trying to discontinue a bad habit. Imagine the catastrophe that would ensue if my first test of the 21-day theory was to cut out coffee or sweets.
Do you ever wonder how we even got these bad habits? Of course, “bad habit” is fairly subjective terminology. Things that some of us consider bad may be inconsequential to others and vice versa. Logic indicates that we engage in habits that are not supportive of our wellbeing because someone has influenced us or we do them because it makes us feel good. Changing habits that brings us a sense of joy or relaxation is incredibly hard. So, for the next 21 days (starting today) I am going to dedicate myself to the daily application of my anti-aging cream. I promise in three weeks I will report back my findings. On the off chance this doesn’t work out for me I am comforted by the thought that technology has advanced to the point that I might be able to pay someone to make a face mask that looks exactly like me by the time 2030 rolls around.
Desperate to keep looking young,
Sincerely, Mrs. B
