My Hair Hurts. So No, I’m Not Doing a 12-Step Skincare Routine.

Its been a while whats been up guys? I’ll go. Nothing lol. Theres been pain nad appointments interspersed with some family fun, birthdays and its just so damn hot in the summer I dont do much, but it hasnt been all bad. I think I decided that I’m going to drop down to the free version of wordpress so I’m sorry if that messes with anyone’s formats or fonts. I’m just streamlining everything I can before the new school year. We are a month out for most schools going back. I’ll be around more once I get a routine.

So theres me, drop me a note let me know what this summer kept you busy doing. Now…

If you’ve never lived with chronic pain, “my hair hurts” probably sounds ridiculous.

But if you know…you know.

It’s not really the hair itself. It’s that strange feeling where your scalp is tender, your skin feels overstimulated, your clothes suddenly feel heavier, and every little sensation seems amplified. Even washing your face can feel like one task too many.

Welcome to another day of living in a body that likes to make up its own rules.

I Didn’t Always Need a Streamlined Routine

There was a time when I wore makeup almost every day.

I washed my face with Noxzema every morning and every night without thinking about it. Skincare was just part of my routine.

Then fibromyalgia, fatigue, and life happened.

What used to be automatic became another task that required energy I didn’t always have. I didn’t stop caring about my skin—I just had to stop pretending I had the same energy I used to.

The Myth of the Perfect Routine

Everywhere you look, someone is telling you that you need a dozen products and a complicated routine to have healthy skin.

Meanwhile, I’m over here negotiating with myself to wash my face before bed.

There are days when lifting my arms to shampoo my hair feels exhausting. There are days when standing at the bathroom sink for five minutes is enough.

So no, I’m not doing a twelve-step skincare routine.

My Real-Life Routine

Most days, I wash my face with a gentle cleanser in the morning and before bed, then apply my Olay moisturizer.

That’s it.

Not because I don’t care, but because I’ve learned the best routine is the one I can actually stick with.

There are still days when even washing my face doesn’t happen, and I’ve stopped feeling guilty about that. Chronic illness doesn’t care about my to-do list, and guilt has never made me feel better.

My Bare-Minimum Routine

On high-pain days, I ask myself one question:

What’s the smallest thing I can do that will still help?

Usually that’s:

• Wash my face with a gentle cleanser—or even just rinse with water.
• Apply moisturizer.
• Wear sunscreen if I’m going outside.

Simple. Realistic. Sustainable.

Your Routine Should Serve You

People with chronic illnesses hear a lot of advice about what we “should” be doing.

Some days, just making it through the day is an accomplishment.

I’ve learned that consistency beats complexity every time. My skin doesn’t need twelve products. It needs a routine that works with the body I have today.

If today all you managed was washing your face and putting on some moisturizer, that’s a win.

If today all you managed was splashing your face with water because that’s all your body would allow, that’s okay too.

Self-care isn’t measured by how many bottles are on your bathroom counter.

It’s measured by finding a routine that’s sustainable—even on the days when your hair hurts. Til next time guys, take care of yourselves, and each other and look for more George updates, they are all over the yard lol.