Better Than Botox
Firstly, thank you for signing up to The LifebyCK Newsletter, and if you didn't sign up today then thanks to the old you who signed up when I first started writing in 2020.
I’m going to keep this short, it’s 8.34pm, I’ve just finished work, and my husband is cooking us dinner.
Some of you will know I left full time employment in June last year to work as a tax consultant for my own company, Venga People. I have always wanted to work for myself or at the very least be part of an unconventional working environment. I pestered managers and read books about the benefits of 4 day work weeks and location independent working long before they became the new norm.
Since becoming an entrepreneur however I have been working 6 day weeks and my location is very much dependent on where my two screens are!
But I can get over that, I knew it wouldn’t be easy. What I didn’t expect, was to have daily battles with internalised sexism.
Recently I have found myself afraid. Afraid of losing business or clients if I continue to express my creative side. To share snippets of my life or my thoughts online. Afraid that people might not take me seriously as a business owner if I post a picture of a cute outfit I wore on Instagram or talk about the power of manifestation on LinkedIn or mention the fact that I dislike working in an office as it prohibits my ability to protect my energy.
Are these things my male peers would say or do? This is the question screaming loudly from somewhere in my subconscious mind. It is internalised.
On reflection, this question has always been there, it’s only now I can see the limiting effect it’s having and the anxiety it is causing as I navigate my first year in business.
As women, we face a lack of female role models and mentors in traditional careers, which makes it difficult for me to envision myself as a ‘traditional’ business owner.
We owe it to ourselves and the next generation of high achieving females to embrace creativity for what it is, a powerful tool for self-expression, stress relief, personal growth, and empowerment.
Repeat after me:
Creativity allows us to assert our identity and challenge traditional gender roles and expectations.
Creativity can help us break free from societal or self-imposed constraints and express ourselves authentically.
The world will continue to be sexist as long as I am sexist towards myself.
Better Than Botox
Now for the real reason you are here, that click bait title.
Last summer I got Botox on my forehead, as did a majority of the population it seems.
Now I have to admit the results were great, and by that I mean I looked great. But then it started to wear off and all of a sudden I looked older than ever before. I could not believe how hideous it was to be able to move my forehead again.
I knew this feeling, it was like them damn Instagram filters all over again, I was having withdrawal symptoms in the form of self-loathing. Loathing is too strong a word but I will leave it there for effect.
Since then I have been on a mission to Ace my skincare regime and recreate that look of plumped up youth, without the injections.
So here you go, my Better Than Botox product list (this is not sponsored but I wish it was):
All in all, these products will probably cost you the same as one Botox treatment but should definitely last longer than 3 months.
None of the links are affiliated in any way, but do let me know if you try any of the products.
That’s it from me this week. This is the latest I have stayed up in ages (it is 10.44pm), I’m part of the 5am club now.
Thanks for reading, I would love to hear your thoughts, you can email me at Lifebyck@gmail.com or leave a comment using the link below!
Buenas noches
from Spain,
Christine
So true Christine! The more sexism spoken about and the more it’s challenged the better for every woman in business!