Interesting thing yesterday. Sitting with a group of women, like I do nearly every Friday, all friends. Some older than me, some younger.

One friend who just had her 73^rd birthday is obsessed with aging, particularly her face and skin. Understandable, I’m not crazy about aging either.

Aging is something I know a little about. The aging process does not stop. That’s an obvious statement, but think about it for a minute.

We live in the age of immediacy. Immediate answers, immediate changes. Doing ‘long haul’ type things for ourselves isn’t always the most popular choice. My friend specifically mentioned this, she wanted a difference NOW.

It takes time and a commitment to show up every day for yourself. That’s probably why we forget to drink enough water, don’t feel like washing our face at night because we’re too tired, don’t always eat well or choose good products, don’t always get exercise…..among many others. These challenges are for ALL age groups. The encouraging thing, its never too early to have good habits, and its never too late to start.

While we sat together my friend was very open about a recent procedure she had. Expensive, painful and she didn’t feel like the results were substantial enough for the cost.

In a gentle way, I encouraged her to consider the way we age, it doesn’t stop. In order to effect change, and see results….. Consider a consistent approach to change little things. Things she could do for herself that would give her what she was looking for (and possibly extend her investment). The unpopular thing about this is…..it takes time. Changes are smaller, until one day you ‘magically’ notice healthier skin, smoothing of fine lines, dryness is replaced with dewy skin. Shiny healthy hair reappears. Growth begins again, changes happen.

It is a truth that is sometimes hard to hear. If aging does not stop, and it does not (that’s a good thing, it means you are alive!)….. then it makes sense to do specific things regularly, consistency is so important. What specific things? Drink water. Exercise. Choose products with healthy ingredients, and use them consistently. Have regular facials. Use a Gua Sha stone, or invest in maintenance appointments that DO something, like skin tightening or Photofacials. Using a home Dermaroller regularly with a good quality Hyaluronic Acid. All great choices.

For women going for procedures, absolutely nothing wrong with that! But think about what you will get out of your investment if you have good habits in between your appointments!

Looking and feeling amazing isn’t necessarily expensive. The consistency element is always the wild card. We start, we stop. We get mad, we start again. If you love what you are doing, if you are seeing results, you will keep going. At least that’s what happened for me.

Liking what you see in the mirror comes from the inside, it also comes from investing time in yourself. Immediacy is over rated, in my opinion. The greatest effect and self love, comes from loving yourself. You will know it when you show up for yourself every day.

If you don’t know where to start, just ask. Always here, always ready to listen.