Why self-gratitude should be a part of your self-care routine

Ah, the season of gratitude. Showing friends and family how grateful you are for them can be like Curology for the soul, but it can also be exhausting. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the holiday madness and forget to show gratitude to the one person who always has your back — yourself!

This Thanksgiving season, we invited members of the Curology community and San Francisco team to reflect on what about themselves they’re most grateful for. We’ve been sharing their touching and inspiring responses on our Instagram (@curology), and now we’d like to share with the whole community.

If you could write a thank-you letter to yourself, what would you say?

“I’m thankful that I’ve always had a strong sense of self, and I’ve never had to second-guess who I am. I’m thankful that I’m comfortable in my own company, and that I can enjoy being with myself. Having moments of peace and solitude to think and reflect — that’s when I come up with my best ideas. I can freely create and explore.”

— Brett, Curology creative team

“I’m grateful for my ability to radically empathize with other people, reaching beyond my own experiences to really see another person. I think it’s sometimes hard to grasp that you will never fully understand exactly what another person is going through because you don’t share their experiences. But I’m really grateful that my own experiences as a person of color, a queer woman, and a writer allow me to see people with compassion and an open heart.”

— Nicole, Curology brand marketing team

“Thank you for being easy on yourself, being patient, and trusting your body. It doesn’t always act or react the way you want, but you don’t give up and you continue to treat it as a temple. Caring for yourself in the right ways will always pay off, and though the road isn’t perfect, you’ll love and learn and you’ll reap what you sow. Your body will almost always pay you back tenfold for taking care of it. Even if there are roadblocks, it’s the only body you get and you play the cards you are dealt. You live your own way, whatever works, whatever keeps you healthy and free. Thank you for listening.”

— Shannon, Curology community member

“I started a gratitude journal about five years ago, after learning about it from a teacher. I was going through a dark period of my life and wanted to bring more light into my life. It’s healing to reflect on what I’m grateful for because it puts it all in perspective. What I’m most grateful for right now is my health and my spiritual well being, and I realize it’s because I feel at peace living a simplified lifestyle without complications.”

— Ed, Curology creative team

“Dear me, If there’s anything to appreciate about yourself, it’s that you get through anything. No matter how big or small the situation may be. You have your doubts, as any typical person would, but you see past them and persevere because you are bold and relentless. Appreciate the kindness and patience you have because those two are virtues and you’ve been blessed with them. Appreciate just who you are because you are the only person who can PERFECTLY be you.”

— Jayleen, Curology community member

“Since I was a teenager, I’ve struggled with pretty low self-esteem and self-doubt. To overcome it, I think I’ve put an emphasis on not taking myself too seriously, which has helped me be my fullest self, and just be silly and goofy. I love that about myself because I can push myself to take risks that I would otherwise be too scared to for fear of judgment or embarrassment. But I don’t always need to be perfect or serious, so I can try new and different things without hesitation.”

— Kat, Curology intern

“I love that you are always wondering what other people have to say and that you remember to ask people their names, because that stuff matters. I love that you are easily enchanted as if magic is constantly surrounding you. And I love that you are always interested in dancing, regardless of what is playing or who is watching.”

— Nora, Curology community member

“I feel grateful that I’m able to be spontaneous and adapt to different situations. I’m not set on a particular way of doing things, but can easily adapt to new situations that come my way. And I’ve found that embracing all that life throws at me has led to opportunities, friendships, and experiences I’m grateful for.”

— Jessi, Curology intern

“Hallie, thank you for finally falling in love with exactly who you are. Thank you for not giving up when just looking in the mirror was overwhelmingly difficult for YEARS. Thank you for pushing past insecurity, outward appearance, mountains of anxiety, and so much more to become confident in the badass warrior you are today. I’m so proud of you I could just cry! Keep challenging yourself to grow, learn, and above all, help others. Never let your skin keep you down EVER. AGAIN. I love you SO MUCH! xo”

— Hallie, Curology community member

“Thank you for your resilience — for choosing to see your pain as an opportunity to see others more clearly. For allowing your weakness to become your greatest vehicle for connection. I love that you choose to believe there’s always more to the story than what’s on display. I love how deeply you see the world. You see that our experiences, even the hard ones, are the things that connect us and build us into who we’re becoming.”

— Emily, Curology creative team

“Thank you for holding on when it was hard, and for trying again when you got knocked down. Thank you for always being the best person you can, and for helping everyone as much as possible. Most of all, thank you for staying alive when you’ve wanted to disappear, for fighting when you wanted to quit, for always finding the best in others, and for being yourself.”

— Sara, Curology community member

“I’m grateful that I always try to find meaning in everything I do. I’ve discovered that if I focus on why I’m doing something, rather than just going through the motions, I can better appreciate what I’m actually doing and lose myself in whatever it is. I don’t think there’s a better feeling than being in a flow state of something you love and believe in. I’m grateful that every day I get to wake up and do the things that bring me this feeling.”

— Ben, Curology creative team

We’re grateful for you — and your unique skin

Whether you’re feeling stalled in your skincare journey, spread too thin, or just a little insecure, we encourage you to take a moment to replenish yourself and say, “Thank you, me.” Remember, the Curology community is always behind you. Believe in yourself like we believe in you!

The best is yet to come.

Love,

Curology

Written by

Curology Team