Heard it on the Podcast - September 9, 2026 | Depression and Suicide: Suicide Prevention & Mental Health

  

 

 

Did you miss a link we mentioned on the podcast? Here's a quick post we'll do every Wednesday to share any links or information from the podcast. We'll also keep a running post on the "Links from the Podcast" tab so you can refer back to any previous episode. 

9-SEPT-2026

S6E36: Depression and Suicide

This week, we’re talking about suicide prevention—an important conversation in honor of Suicide Prevention Month. We’ll discuss the importance of recognizing warning signs, reaching out, reducing stigma, and creating spaces where people feel safe asking for help. If you or someone you love is struggling, you are not alone, and support is available.

Listen to the podcast:   HERE

Here are the links from this episode on depression and suicide prevention:

• Call 988: Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
• NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness (these are NOT a crisis line)
• Text: 62640
• Call: 1 (800)950-6264
• SAMHSA: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
• Call: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Don't forget to visit our Facebook group, MMC Chat. Let us know what you think! 

Heard it on the Podcast - May 20, 2026 | Anatomy of an Epidemic Part 3: Pharmaceutical Marketing & the Long-Term Effects of Neuroleptics

  

 

 

Did you miss a link we mentioned on the podcast? Here's a quick post we'll do every Wednesday to share any links or information from the podcast. We'll also keep a running post on the "Links from the Podcast" tab so you can refer back to any previous episode. 

20-MAY-2026

S6E20: Anatomy of an Epidemic (Part 3)

In Part 3 of our discussion of Anatomy of an Epidemic by Robert Whitaker, we examine how pharmaceutical marketing campaigns helped shape public perceptions of mental illness and psychiatric treatment. We also take a closer look at the long-term physical harm and disability associated with neuroleptic drugs — one of the central reasons Whitaker argues that modern psychiatric care has contributed to an “epidemic” of chronic mental illness.

Listen to the podcast:   HERE

Here are the links from this episode on mental illness, psychiatric treatment, neuroleptic medications, and disability:

• Anatomy of an Epidemic, by Robert Whitaker
• Anatomy of an Epidemic (Part 1):  Listen to the podcast
• Anatomy of an Epidemic (Part 2):  Listen to the podcast
• A Beautiful Mind, unauthorized biography by Sylvia Nasar (1998)
• A Beautiful Mind, film (2001)

Don't forget to visit our Facebook group, MMC Chat. Let us know what you think! 

Heard it on the Podcast - December 17, 2025

  

 

 

Did you miss a link we mentioned on the podcast? Here's a quick post we'll do every Wednesday to share any links or information from the podcast. We'll also keep a running post on the "Links from the Podcast" tab so you can refer back to any previous episode. 

17-DEC-2025

S5E51: Richard Webster: How to Write Your Own Magic (Part 2)

What does it really mean to “tell the Universe” what you want—and how is that different from wishful thinking? Drawing from Webster’s practical mysticism, we discuss intention as a living conversation, not a one-time request, and how clarity, belief, and emotional alignment shape what we attract.

Listen to the podcast:   HERE

Here are the links from this episode:

• Listen to Part 1 of Richard Webster: How to Write Your Own Magic
• Cultivate What Matters
• A brief announcement from us about Cultivate What Matters
• SMART Goals
• Insight Timer
• Om Mani Padme Hum - how to pronounce it

If you liked today's episode, you might like some of these episodes and blog posts:

• Listen to the Modern Musings Episode about SMART Goals
• Read our blog posts: 
• Amber: S.M.A.R.T. Goals for Everyone
• Christen: S.M.A.R.T. Start to the Year
• Cindy: Making S.M.A.R.T. Goals Happen: 5 Ways to Track Your Progress
• You can also check out our whole series called "Goals, Girl!" on YouTube and on our blog using the following tags:
• goal-setting
• goals
• goalsgirl 
• goalsgirlfriend 
• S.M.A.R.T. goals

Don't forget to visit our Facebook group, MMC Chat. Let us know what you think! 

Heard it on the Podcast - December 10, 2025

 

 

 

Did you miss a link we mentioned on the podcast? Here's a quick post we'll do every Wednesday to share any links or information from the podcast. We'll also keep a running post on the "Links from the Podcast" tab so you can refer back to any previous episode. 

10-DEC-2025

S5E50: What Are Twin Films?

Have you ever noticed how certain movies seem to come in pairs? In this episode, we unpack the phenomenon of twin films—movies released around the same time with remarkably similar plots—and share some of the most interesting examples we discovered.

Listen to the podcast:   HERE

Sorry, there were too many movie and TV shows mentioned in this week's podcast to link them all, but please check out our blogs here: Modern Musings Blog.

Don't forget to visit our Facebook group, MMC Chat. Let us know what you think! 

Heard it on the Podcast - November 26, 2025

  

 

 

Did you miss a link we mentioned on the podcast? Here's a quick post we'll do every Wednesday to share any links or information from the podcast. We'll also keep a running post on the "Links from the Podcast" tab so you can refer back to any previous episode. 

26-NOV-2026

S5E48: Are Diamonds Really a Girl's Best Friend?

Diamonds are a girl's best friend. That's what they say, right? But are they really? Listen in as we explore the evolution of the diamond as a status symbol and why it may not be all it's cracked up to be.

Listen to the podcast:   HERE

Here are the links from this episode:

• De Beers
• Mohs Scale of Hardness
• He Got it at Jarred
• 4 C's of Diamond Quality
• Kimberly Process/KPCS Certification Scheme
• Marange Diamonds
• Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend

Don't forget to visit our Facebook group, MMC Chat. Let us know what you think! 

What are these Questions?

 

Have you ever found yourself in a conversation that suddenly turns boring and predictable? Do you yearn for discussions that dive into the core of human nature, ethics, and personal beliefs? If so, Gregory Stock, PhD's "The Book of Questions" might be perfect for you. This week on the podcast, we explore this book of questions and answer some of them ourselves.

What is this book of questions, though? It’s not a traditional book with a storyline. Instead, it's a collection of open-ended questions covering a wide range of topics, including morality questions, relationships, ambitious questions, and questions about the mysteries of life. Gregory Stock, PhD, a biophysicist, and renowned author, crafted these questions to challenge readers to reflect on their values and assumptions.

When thinking about this book of questions in the post-podcast recording, I can’t help but ask myself why questions matter. Questions have always been important to human progress and self-understanding. They raise curiosity, drive research, and encourage personal growth. The questions in this book are powerful because they often lack straightforward answers. They push us to consider different perspectives and explore the nuances of our beliefs. When asked these questions during the podcast, Christen and I became frustrated because they lacked our desired answers.

Here are some sample questions from the book:

• Ethics and Morality: "If a close friend murdered someone for good reason, but you couldn't go to the police, how would you dispose of the body?"
• Personal Beliefs: "Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?"
• Relationships: "If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living? Why?"

How can this book be used? It can be used in various ways.

• Personal Reflection: Spending a few minutes each day thinking about a question and writing down various thoughts. This would be a great exercise in journal writing. 
• Group Discussions: These questions are great conversation starters, especially if you need help starting conversations.
• Therapeutic Settings: Therapists and counselors can use the questions to help clients explore their inner worlds and confront complex issues.

In conclusion, questions matter. This book is an excellent tool for discerning what is more profound in a conversation. 

We want to know what our readers think. Have you read this book? What are your favorite questions to ask to stimulate conversation? Drop a comment below or check out our Facebook Group: MMC Chat.

Are Dating Shows Game Shows?

Hello everyone! This week on the podcast, we delved into the intriguing world of game shows. This topic holds a special place in my heart, as it reminds me of the summers I spent with my grandmother, glued to the TV screen, watching game shows like “The Price is Right.” While researching game shows for the podcast and compiling a list of my favorites, I stumbled upon a fascinating trend on various game show lists across the internet – they all included shows I didn’t think of as gameshows. This led me to ponder: what exactly defines a game show?

The dictionary defines game shows as “a television program in which people compete to win prizes.” In the vast landscape of television entertainment, a genre emerges that blurs the lines between competition, romance, and entertainment: the dating show. These shows often intrigue viewers with their unique blend of structured formats, elimination rounds, and quests for love and rewards. 

Are dating shows game shows? Contestants engage in challenges or tasks that test their skills, knowledge, or abilities to outperform their competitors and emerge victorious. Shows like "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" exemplify the average game show experience, where contestants vie for cash prizes or other incentives based on their performance in various challenges. On the other hand, Dating shows introduce a twist to the traditional game show formula by intertwining elements of romance and interpersonal relationships. While contestants may still compete against each other or face elimination rounds, the primary objective shifts from winning prizes to finding love or forming meaningful connections. Shows like "The Bachelor" and "Love Island" offer contestants the opportunity to embark on romantic journeys, go on dates, forge bonds, and ultimately hope to find their perfect match.

Is it love, or is it just a game? Both traditional game shows and dating shows have overlapping elements. While dating shows may deviate from the conventional mold of game shows by prioritizing romance over competition, they still incorporate structured formats, elimination rounds, and strategic gameplay. Contestants must navigate challenges and vie for the attention of their romantic interests, adding layers of complexity and intrigue to the competition.

One aspect that further blurs the distinction between dating shows and game shows is audience engagement. Both genres invite viewers to become emotionally invested in the outcomes, whether rooting for their favorite contestants to win cash prizes or hoping for love to blossom between potential couples. The interactive nature of dating shows, where audiences witness the highs and lows of romantic relationships unfolding in real time, creates a sense of suspense and anticipation similar to traditional game shows.

Ultimately, whether a dating show is considered a game show comes down to interpretation and perspective. While dating shows may diverge from the conventional definition of game shows by prioritizing romance over competition, they nevertheless share many of the same structural elements and engage viewers similarly. As television evolves and genres intersect, the boundaries between game shows and dating shows may continue to blur, challenging traditional notions of categorization and inviting audiences to explore new and exciting forms of entertainment.

We're eager to hear your thoughts on this intriguing topic. Do you consider dating shows to be game shows? What's your favorite game show? We invite you to share your views in the comments below. Remember to check out our podcast for more engaging discussions.

Literary Witches

Hello everyone! This week on our podcast we are talking about literary witches and literal bitches (boss bitches, that is). Our podcast was inspired by the book Literary Witches A Celebration of Magical Women Writers and the companion oracle deck the Literary Witches Oracle written by Taisia Kitaiskaia and illustrated by Katy Horan.

Literary Witches book and deck

The book reimagines 30 female authors as “true witches: not hook-nosed creatures riding on brooms, but figures of radical creativity, originality, and empowerment.” Kitaiskaia’s book asks the question “what is a witch anyway?” As we concluded on the podcast, a “witch” doesn’t have to be literal, it can be a strong female that makes “magic” in her everyday life. She can be a catalyst for change both literally and figuratively. She is a true boss that demands change. This book is a perfect homage to these writers and the magic they have written.

The literary aspect and the artwork by Horan initially attracted me to this deck. I am always looking for unique decks to add to my collection and this one does not disappoint. Whenever I find a new deck, I feel like the deck “finds” me. I am usually not explicitly looking for a deck when I see one, and this was the case with my “Literary Witches” deck. I do not generally read from oracle decks, but I felt like I had to have this one, being a lover of literature, especially strong, female authors. The artwork by Horan is nothing less than amazing. I am a huge fan of minimalistic art and I like that her artwork features symbols from the writers’ most famous works. For example, Mary Shelley is a featured writer in the deck/book, and her photo is rich with symbolism from Frankenstein, her most famous piece of work.

Mary Shelley is a great example of a writer that made magic in her lifetime. Shelley wrote Frankenstein when she was only 19 years old while on vacation at her friend Lord Byron’s house on Lake Geneva. The weather was horrible and Byron’s houseguests remained inside most of the time, telling ghost stories. Lord Byron issued a challenge to his houseguests which was to write a ghost story better than the stories they read aloud to each other. Thus, Frankenstein was born and so was the first ever science fiction novel. Over two hundred years after the writing of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley continues to inspire writers and filmmakers alike.

Another example of a writer that made magic in her life is my favorite female poet, Emily Dickinson. Dickinson is considered one of the most important figures in American poetry. Most of Dickinson’s poetry was published posthumously by her sister, and she did not become famous for her writing until after her death. At the time, Dickinson’s poetry was groundbreaking in the sense that she heavily used dashes in her poems and slant rhymes, or near rhymes. Dickinson did not follow traditional poetry rules, and most of her poems were heavily edited to conform to the poetry “rules” of the 19th century. It wasn’t until around the 1950s that Dickinson’s poetry was published in its true form. Dickinson and her “no rules” approach to poetry are now appreciated and serve as inspiration to modern poets that don’t fit with traditional poetry rules and standards.

The final female author that I’d like to talk about is an author I learned about in college: Angela Carter. One of the many English electives I took as I was working on my degree was a fairytale class. Angela Carter’s most famous work is called The Bloody Chamber, a book of fairytales and folktales written with a feminist twist. Like most modern children, I grew up on fairytales, especially the Disney versions of fairy tales where the princess is saved by the prince and they both live happily ever after. In Carter’s versions of fairytales, the female often saves herself by taking a more masculine role or she is the villain all along. In her story “The Werewolf,” which is based on “Little Red Riding Hood,” the wolf turns out to be the grandmother all along and Little Red must save herself from her grandmother. In another version of the story called “Wolf Alice,” Alice (Little Red) herself is the wolf. Carter was innovative in the sense that she opened the door for bolder interpretations of fairy tales, inspiring more modern feminist writers.

Literary Witches: A Celebration of Magical Women Writers is an amazing canonization of female writers. These writers truly created magic in their writing and in their lives and this book is a must-read for anyone looking for inspiration in their writing and their feminist studies. The Literary Witches oracle deck is a must-have for any collection.

I want to hear from our readers. Who is your favorite female writer? Who do you consider a “boss bitch?” Let’s continue the conversation below or on our Facebook Page: MMC Chat.

Women in STEM

Hello everyone! Last Saturday (February 11) was International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This week on the podcast, we are looking at women in STEM and talking about the movie Hidden Figures. If you need clarification on what STEM means, it means Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an annual observance adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to promote equal access to women in STEM fields. In comparison to males, women are largely underrepresented in the science and technology fields. But why are women so denigrated in these fields?

According to the United Nations, only one in three scientific researchers are women, and when they are able to research, they are given smaller grants than men. Women are also easily passed over for promotion compared to men and their research careers tend to be shorter. Women are particularly unaccounted for in the scientific field of Artificial Intelligence at only 22%. The United Nations attributes the low number of women working in STEM-related fields to gender stereotypes as the main cause.

Sima Bahous, head of the UN Women, the UN entity dedicated to gender equality and empowerment of women, states that gender stereotypes can be “found embedded in curricula, textbooks, and teaching and learning practices. The choices imposed upon girls in school shape their careers and employment opportunities as adults.” Bahous believes that the only way to change the picture for women in STEM is a “paradigm shift” which includes acknowledging and removing potential barriers that hinder women’s progress in STEM careers. Bahous also believes that “educational reform” is also needed to foster curiosity in scientific discoveries. Aside from educational reform, other ways schools can recruit future female scientists include scholarships, internships, mentorships, and incentives. 

These things are a good start for an education in STEM but encouragement at home is also needed. In my personal experience, I was never encouraged to pursue a career that was in a male-dominated field. My parents only encouraged me to pursue a “female career” such as teaching and nursing, and encouragement definitely starts at home. When I was a child, I raised and bred rabbits. My constant work with animals began an interest in veterinary sciences at a young age. If you had asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, it was always a veterinarian, which was a highly male-dominated field at the time (the late 90s), according to an article by Today’s Veterinary Practice. 

Today, however, women veterinarians dominate over men at a whopping 63% according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Eventually, I gave up on science and started pursuing writing (which was also discouraged by my parents) and eventually a teaching certification. I wish that I had been encouraged to pursue science when I was younger.

I still enjoy science, especially astronomy, and psychology. I hope to one day get my Master’s degree in psychology with a focus on school counseling. One of my goals for this year is to complete my essay and start applying for Spring 2024.

I would like to hear from our readers. Have you seen the movie Hidden Figures? Do you enjoy science? What female pioneers in the scientific field do you admire the most? Please, let’s continue the conversation below!

Screaming in my Car and Other Nonsense

Sometimes I scream in my car. Everyone does it. Especially, in Dallas traffic on days that you just want to get home at a decent time and others are on their cell phone or in la-la land not paying attention to what they are doing. However, I am usually screaming at life’s frustrations.

I have a friend going through a rough patch in her life right now. This thought popped up one night when she was venting her frustrations and she asked me, “Do you ever just yell at yourself?” It took me a minute to realize it, but I do. I yell at myself quite often, usually in the car, and I told her this. She thought that it was uncommon to do so. I said that it wasn’t. We need to get the pent-up demons out. If screaming in your car helps, I am all for it.

Another thing that I do when I am going through enormous emotions that need to be released from my mind is write poetry. When I write poetry, it is like a scream or a catharsis of emotions tumbling out of my brain and onto paper (or the notepad on my phone). To me, the process of writing poetry has always been a visceral experience. I don’t think when I write it; I only feel. Sometimes I will go back and move lines around and add words so that the poem makes sense, but I don’t plan out a poem when I am writing it. I let raw emotion take over. When I am screaming in my car, it is the same experience. I need to let it out. It is my own form of shadow work.

This week on the podcast, we delved deep into the thought process of shadow work. What is shadow work? Shadow work is working with your unconscious mind to uncover the parts of yourself that you repress and hide from yourself. Or, your “shadow.” The shadow archetype, according to Carl Jung, exists as a “part of the unconscious mind and is composed of repressed ideas, weaknesses, desires, instincts, and shortcomings. The shadow forms out of our attempts to adapt to cultural norms and expectations.”

In other words, it is not culturally acceptable to go out in public and scream until you cannot scream anymore or go to a public place and just start throwing chairs (which may or may not be something I think about often). No, we compartmentalize our baser instincts into a shadow. Jung’s Collective Unconscious, or archetypes, are how I saw my own brain before I ever took a psychology class in college and learned about them. I called these pieces of my mind “compartments” where I stored experiences and information. I even wrote a poem when I was younger that perfectly described the shadow.

Why should we work on this shadow? Shadow work and understanding your inner darkness are crucial for your personal development and your mental health, but it can only happen when you are ready and willing to face that part of yourself. Trust me, I know. I ran from my shadow and my trauma for years and I’m only now scratching the surface of my inner psyche. In early 2021, I began seeing a counselor and it was the first time I had seen one in almost twenty years. I had many things to work out and I am still working them out. I needed help and admitting it was a great first step in conquering my inner demons. Do you have to go to counseling to participate in shadow work? No, I had been journaling and writing poetry for years, but sometimes we get overwhelmed and need extra help. Shadow work is not easy or fun. It will require you to look at the innermost workings of yourself that you have been compartmentalizing. I am still working on my shadow daily and it is a slow process to work out.

I would like to hear from our readers. Are you participating in shadow work? Do you have any tips and tricks? Let’s continue the conversation below.

If you would like to know more about shadow work and access some journal prompts to begin the process of healing, check out this article from Better Up.

Self-care is the Best Care

Hello everyone! This week on the podcast, we are talking about what we do for self-care and why self-care is important. What is self-care? According to the Global Self-Care Federation, self-care is defined as “the practice of individuals looking after their own health using the knowledge and information available to them. It is a decision-making process that empowers individuals to look after their own health efficiently and conveniently, in collaboration with health and social care professionals as needed.” Simply, take care of yourself.

Why is this such a problem for people? As I’ve learned in life, not taking care of yourself will simply kill you. That’s the bottom line. My mother was great at taking care of things. My dad, grandma, and I (and her pets) were her world. She didn’t eat until everyone else ate. She spent endless hours making sure my grandmother ate, took her pills, watched her favorite shows, and took a bath to the point that she sometimes forgot to do those things for herself. My mom didn’t eat the things she wanted to eat; she always let everyone else choose. My mom didn’t do the activities she wanted to do; she went along with what I wanted to do. Her family and friends were her world, and when she wasn’t spending time with us, she was at work for endless hours (until she was forced to medically retire). My mom ran ragged worrying about other people and oftentimes neglected her health. As a result, she suffered a series of strokes at the age of 59 and eventually died of heart failure just shy of her 64th birthday.

I, too, was going down the same path as my mother. I had just turned 30 when my mother suffered her strokes, and I moved in with her and my grandmother to take care of them; it was like my life turned upside down. Before that, I lived alone and I had a routine. I woke up at a certain time every day, took my medication, ate at a certain time, followed a daily regime of skincare, and went to the gym regularly. I put all of my things in storage and started sleeping on my grandmother’s extremely uncomfortable couch when I wasn't sleeping in a chair at the hospital. Eventually, with the help of my cousins, I was able to move a bed into my grandmother’s sewing room, but this was after months of sleeping where and when I could, showering whenever I had the chance, and eating from the hospitality station next to my mom’s hospital room…which consisted mainly of yogurt and cheese sticks.

After my mom eventually got well enough that she didn’t need someone attending her 24/7, I was able to start working again. However, in my new place, it was hard to get back into the strict routine that I had. Unfortunately, I had let myself go. I gained weight, I started breaking out, and I became too comfortable with a sedentary life. As the years passed, I slowly slipped into putting others’ needs above my own and eventually began to lose myself in the needs of others. 

After my separation in 2020, I began to slowly pick up those routines again. I started a strict skincare routine of cleansing my face daily and applying shea butter lotion to the rough skin that had developed on my arms and legs. I started giving myself regular pedicures and manicures and wearing the right makeup that didn’t break me out. Other than that I started dressing for my body type and picking up old hobbies that I had lost over the years. Slowly, I began to feel satisfied with myself again. I started working my way out of the slump that I let myself fall into. Eventually, I started eating better as well. Is everything perfect? No. Do I need to go to the doctor more? Yes. Will I get back to the routine that I want in my life, taking years of time and effort? For sure. But, I have given myself a level ground to continue on because I can still be there for other people and maintain myself. That is the takeaway. You can be both. You do not have to be one or the other.

I want to hear from our readers. How do you practice self-care? Do you have any self-care tips that you want to share? Please comment below!

The Secret Is...

In this week's podcast, we talked about the seven secrets to a perfect holiday. The word “perfect” is relative. I’ve learned over the years that perfect doesn’t exist if you set your expectations too high. Something will always go wrong. I want to say the biggest secret in my mind is that there is no secret to a perfect holiday.

One of the most memorable holidays I had with my family was one of those holidays where everything seemed to go wrong. I call it the “Great Pumpkin Disaster.” That year, my grandmother, my mom, and I decided to make a trio of pumpkin desserts: Pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, and pumpkin cupcakes. 

My grandmother is a perfectionist when it comes to all things pumpkin. She is always the one to make the pumpkin desserts. In fact, she never lets anyone in the kitchen when she is cooking. On the flip side, she won’t let anyone cook in the kitchen without her (because it is her kitchen). So, it was nearly impossible to cook your own recipe without her input. That being said, maybe I could have used her input that Christmas, but I was always irritated when I tried to cook in the kitchen and she constantly hovered over me. My grandmother used to say, “Too many cooks in the kitchen...”

My mom and I cooked first working on our pumpkin bread and cupcakes while kicking my grandma out of the kitchen multiple times. I love making cupcakes and it was the first time I had ever made pumpkin cupcakes. The result was pretty disappointing. My cupcakes sank in the middle and only a few turned out edible. I didn’t understand what was wrong. It had to be something wrong with my grandmother’s oven, but no one believed me. Next, my mom’s pumpkin bread came out of the oven as hard as a brick but still, no one believed me that there was something wrong with the oven. My grandmother claimed it was because we wouldn’t let her help us.

Finally, my grandmother made her pumpkin pies, and they almost caught fire in the oven, leading to hysteria in the kitchen as we prepped for Christmas dinner. My grandmother didn’t want to believe that it was an oven problem and swore that it was because she wasn’t cooking. When she pulled the pies out of the oven, they were completely black. My mom and I busted out laughing at the situation. My grandmother got so angry that she took a piece of my mom’s “brick” pumpkin bread and threw it at her head. My mom, in return, grabbed a cupcake and threw it at my grandma. That turned into an all-out war in the kitchen and throughout the house. We started chasing each other and throwing bits of pumpkin at each other until all three of us were covered and we had a huge mess to clean up.

I think back to that day whenever I bake any of my grandmother’s pumpkin recipes. We had to buy our dessert that year, but the memories of that Christmas with my mom and grandma will last a lifetime.

I want to hear from our readers. What is your perfect holiday? What are your holiday secrets? Let’s continue the conversation below. Have a wonderful holiday!

A Basic Skincare Routine

Hello! This week on the blog we are talking about our favorite facial skincare routines and why you should have one. I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t always have the best skincare routine, especially when my daily flow is interrupted. When that is the case, I usually get off my routine and have to pick it back up again. I’m inconsistent but I’m trying to be better as I get older.

I have susceptible skin, and it changes throughout the year, so it is trial and error when it comes to my skin to find products my skin will tolerate. Over the years I have tried many different companies, searching for the best skincare products using beauty subscription boxes such as Birchbox™ and BoxyCharm™. After years of searching, I have finally decided that Clinique™ has some of the best products out there. 

Clinique™ was actually the brand that I started my skincare journey with years ago. If anything, I like consistency and my mother and my grandmother were avid users of Clinique™. When I was a freshman in high school, my mom took me to the Clinique™ counter and she showed me the different products they had to offer and how to use them. Since then, I have always been faithful to their makeup and their blemish control system, AcneSolutions™. It wasn’t until about 10 years ago that I felt like I needed to amp up my skincare routines.

The one thing I try to stay consistent about daily is my moisturizer. I have Rosacea, which is a facial skin condition causing redness. One of the best moisturizers that I have found to help with my rosacea is called Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream™ by Clinique™. I can tell a visible difference whenever I use the product consistently or switch between products (which often causes a breakout). I use my moisturizer twice a day after washing my face with a mild facial cleanser. One thing I like about this product is that it leaves my face feeling soft, unlike other moisturizers that I have used, which leave my face feeling dry.

Aside from an overall moisturizer, I also use an eye cream for the dark circles under my eyes. My favorite eye cream is also by Clinique™ from their All About Eyes™ eye cream line. Their eye products are the only products that I’ve tried that visibly reduce my eye puffiness in the morning, especially if I consistently use them every day.

My routine isn’t extensive but it helps keep my rosacea and eye puffiness at bay. My key to success is consistency. After years of trying, I found products and routines that work for my skin. The best advice I can give to those looking to try out new skincare routines is to try a beauty subscription box like the ones I mentioned above and see what products work for you.

I want to hear from our readers. What are your favorite skincare routines? Do you struggle with keeping routines? Let’s continue the conversation below.