12 Years TSW

 Another TSW anniversary DONE!!

I obviously knew what today was, but I literally had to do a quick mental count to work out how many years it’s been since I started my wild & transformative path down the road of TSW. It’s a path that none of us have a map for, and so for most of it we are in literal & metaphorical darkness, scrabbling about for answers that we only find as we keep putting one foot in front of the other.

12 years ago today I Googled something like ‘addicted to steroid cream’ and changed my life. Even writing that sentence, a lump has formed in my throat. It will always move me because at the time I didn’t know the impact that decision would have.

I think most of us can handle some physical pain, but the true agony of this process is the fact that we don’t know when the pain will end. Then, when the physical pain ends, that is usually when the mental symptoms really kick in.

We are living in a very strange period of time where there is no room for discussion or debate which is so sad. I found myself withdrawing from this online space that is so precious to me because my experience of giving it time and sharing my opinions on eczema associations etc became something controversial, but I would like to share my message today because giving it time was the best thing I ever did for myself and whether you agree with me or not, this is what I did to get better. I didn’t use a magic product, drug, or take out five different food groups… I literally gave it time - that is it, and to anyone trying to navigate this mostly loving but sometimes toxic and intense space, I urge you to use it with caution, and before connecting online, take some time to reconnect with yourself. Until we get any kind of unbiased research on this, your gut voice is the most valuable guide at your disposal, so listen to it.

To anyone suffering right now, you don’t deserve this, you didn’t use the medication wrong, you don’t have a damn phobia of steroids - AND, most importantly, this is not your fault. 

Free yourself from the fear of the what if and doubt and try to focus on today. You’ve absolutely got this and I’m sending you all my love <3

Cara xxx

The saga is finally over...

Probably a little late seeing as summer is pretty much over, but it would appear my sunscreen saga has finally come to an end and I’ve found one that I don’t react to!!!

If you’ve been following the saga on my Instagram stories (here), in a nutshell, ever since they discontinued Sunsense three years ago, I’ve been looking for a replacement … but cautiously so for two reasons:

Left: what it looks like when it first comes out of the tube
Right: what it looks like on the skin just after
it's been rubbed in

Firstly, I seem to be allergic to most brands and break out in hives wherever I’ve applied it, then, every time I try a new one, it takes me a while to give another one a go – ah the joys of PTSD…

Secondly, if I was following my gut voice, I wouldn’t be using one at all because I have to be honest and say that I don’t know how I feel about sunscreens in general and whether they are right for me. I think that TSW tends to make you think differently about everything and you start to see things with new eyes, but peer pressure and worry about whether I was doing the wrong thing won. I don’t know if I’ve made the right choice, but I am grateful to Green People for making one that is rather lovely.

It’s thin(ish), sinks in very quickly, and after five minutes, it’s like you’re not wearing one. Tip: don’t slather it on, use it sparingly, and build up if you need to because I found when I got a bit gung ho one day and used a thick layer, my skin felt a bit suffocated – but I think that would be the same with any sunscreen.

Pictured in 200ml and 30ml bottles

They sadly no longer do sachets for you to be able to try before you go ahead and buy one of their full-size products, but they do have a 30ml travel-size tube (here) which lasted around 17/18 days, using it on my face/neck and hands once a day. 

I think products are such a subjective thing, and what works for me might be a nightmare for you, but if you’ve not tried it, and like me have tried so many brands and struggled to find one that’s good, it might be worth giving this one a go.

The 200ml bottle I am pictured with can be found (£10 cheaper!!!) here and it's so big it's going to last me months!

Sending so much love and healing to you all, dear skin friends xxx