Beauty isn't just skin deep. In today's beauty industry, it also means your health.

This past year, cosmetic procedures and non-surgical enhancements reached an all-time high. My passion is skin care, but for me, right now, just breathing and finding beauty in life around me is my goal.

I’ve taken care of COVID-19 patients. I’ve administered the IV medications and turned up the oxygen levels. I’ve gowned up and gowned down, more times than I can count. I’ve stripped down to nothing in my very cold garage, thrown my scrubs in a cardboard box, and walked naked through my house, careful not to touch anything on my way to the shower.

I’ve felt the cold, winter air fill my lungs and felt gratitude that I can take a deep breath all on my own. I’m grateful for the way that same cold air freezes my tears on my face. I’m grateful for springtime around the corner and the promising buds I now see on the trees.

I’m grateful for having time to see life as precious and as temporary as it is. I’m grateful to reconnect with dear old friends and share thoughts, stories, and daily struggles. I’m grateful for raw and vulnerable conversations and friends who give space for this. I’m grateful for having Untamed (Glennon Doyle) on audiobook so I can listen to it for the 12th time when I’m tired. I’m grateful for my family and their unconditional love and grateful I haven’t lost anyone I love to this deadly pandemic, directly or indirectly.

I’m grateful I can turn social media off.

I’ve seen the beauty of true gratitude, gratitude from a patient who can now take a full breath all on their own.

This past year has been a roller-coaster and I’m grateful to be alive. I may have a few more gray hairs, a few more wrinkles, and a few extra pounds to lose but I’m okay with this. For me, right now, self-care isn’t a hot bath with a candle - it’s looking in the mirror and saying ‘Hey, I love you, wrinkles and all. Now go back to bed in those sweatpants and listen to Untamed - again’.

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