u/Beginning-Eagle7458

Does anyone experience this? Whenever I'm enjoying myself, taking in a beautiful view, enjoying food, laughing, carrying flowers, killing time with friends, reading a book in the park or by the pool, talking in a bar, shopping, spending time with my partner, decorating my apartment etc I always imagine someone more attractive doing it, like an actor in a movie, and suddenly I don't have the right to do whatever I'm doing because obviously I probably look like a greasy slob. It's hard for me to put it into words, but it's like I don't deserve the things I've worked hard for in life because I'm unattractive. I realize that this thought is absolutely ridiculous, but alas, it persists.

Anyone else experience this?

I’m somewhat of a cradle Catholic and agnostic at the moment, but Mary is that one girl I can never leave behind. I look back to when I was a child and learned about Our Lady of Lourdes and her apparition to Bernadette. I already attended a Catholic school named Our Lady of Grace, so seeing Mary having cameos in different cultures and as various races as some mystical, benevolent figure whilst holding a different title each time resonates with me. She typically revealed herself to the most random, most normal, the poorest people in society. Of course, in this day and age, people would think you’re psycho if you've claimed to have these experiences, though back then, these types of visions and experiences of ecstasy were so massively believed and led to long-lasting devotions worldwide. There is something chilling when you imagine Our Lady of Fatima appearing to three little children in Portugal and telling them three secrets about the future, or when Juan Diego showed the roses from his tilma and unknowingly revealed the iconic Marian image of Guadalupe, etc. 

Were most of these stories likely made up to convert people to Catholicism? IDK maybe, who knows? But I find this adoration culture created to be so intriguing, considering how the stories are presented, illustrated, and consumed in traditional Catholic culture.  I get the same feeling when I think about Mary statues weeping (there was a rumor that the Mary statue down the hall next to my second-grade classroom would cry tears of blood after 5:00pm every night, scary but also cunty idk). I know a handful of people who have effectively tried to change their lives (i.e. become sober, improve their mental health, etc) because of some vision or voice or whatever that they heard from “Mary”, and honestly, I'd rather hear that over the tech bro that cured his depression with ketamine and micro-dosing shrooms! I know in Mexico, Guadalupe is adored by even non-Catholics just because she is so intertwined with the culture, and at times isn't even a religious figure in the traditional sense. Iconic!

I honestly find comfort in the somewhat folk Catholic culture surrounding her overall. A lot of Catholics seemingly pay way more attention to her compared to Jesus or God lol. She is like her own religion - even the rosary and main prayers in Catholicism center her.  My parents’/my childhood home has so many different statues, plaques, and prayer cards of Mary and probably one or two of Jesus lol it’s kinda insane when you think about it. 

Hey guys! Ive been dealing with a damaged, acne prone skin barrier off and on for like 1-2 years now, mainly triggered by Tretinoin I think. I consider my skin combination (oily t zone) and have tried a lot of things. Just recently, I thought my barrier was good and started Azelaic acid 15%, but I think it was too strong and my skin is dehydrated again. My forehead is extra oily and my skin is looking more textured than usual. this is my current regimen:

AM:

- cleanse with water

- Laneige cream milky toner

- Prequel Multi Quench serum

- Prequel half and half lotion

- Dr Jart Ceramidin barrier cream or Skinfix Triple Lipid Cream

- SkinAqua sunscreen (this is pretty drying, might switch over to Purito)

PM:

- Prequel Gleanser

- Laneige cream milky toner

- Prequel Multi Quench serum

- Prequel half and half lotion

- Avene Cicaflate or Skinfix Triple Lipid Cream. I’m using Cicaflate more due to my skin dryness.

Even with this regimen, my skin still feels tight, mainly on my cheeks and forehead, which gets oily later on in the day.

Am I doing too much? Should I be adding more products? I’m holding off Azelaic acid/actives.

Thanks for any tips!