✨ Spirit Rituals Journal: October Newsletter
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THE OCTOBER JOURNAL
Hello my lovelies!
How is it October already? I feel like the weeks and the months are flying by, partly because I am SO busy, but also partly because I LOVE what I do! I'm finding the hours with you pass easier and faster than ever, even I don't want your treatments to end.... They are so magical!
October is a busy, busy month for me with various things happening. I am training in London on Monday with Dermaviduals, my new skincare line I am bringing to the treatment room. I am SO excited about this, I am going to learn so much and I feel like it is going to be such a turning point for me and the business. I can't wait to share everything I've learnt with you all.
I also have a few days away from the treatment room this month to train for the Challenging Behaviour Foundation. Many of you know my previous career was working with SEN children. Well, I still do some freelance training for parents and professionals within this line of work for the CBF. I LOVE this work and really enjoy doing something a bit different when it comes along. So, I am off to Manchester in a couple of weeks for few days and have a day at home online, also.
Because of this, appointments in October will be fewer than normal so make sure you book in, in advance to secure your treatment!
I can't wait to see you all, the heated blanket awaits you!
H xx
If you follow me on socials, you will have seen that I have been taking part in Sophie Richards' 'Anti-inflammatory 30 Day Reset'.
I've spoken openly before in blogs and online that I struggle with IBS, gluten intolerance, my skin and inflammation. Since building my business, quite a few healthy choices slipped for me as I gave 100% of my time and energy to my business. This has supported my businesses growth and I don't regret it at all, but it just wasn't sustainable and I was finding myself feeling depleted, burnt out, choosing quick dinners over nutrious meals and I had even cancelled my gym membership...
I was not looking after myself!
The irony is, I left my old career because I burnt out, I'm telling all my clients to slow down and look after themselves but I wasn't doing any of it myself.
So, some things had to change and I thought this reset would be the best thing to kick it off. As I write this, it is day 12, nearly two weeks in and I can't believe the difference! I am feeling lighter, brighter, less puffy, bloated and I have more energy! The main things for me have been focusing on whole foods (basically nothing out of a packet), I've even cut out gluten free bread and I feel SO much lighter. I've also cut down on my sugar and dairy, been opting for more variety in oat milk and almond milk, I've been commiting to my exercise, yoga, pilates, running and some strength thrown in aswell. Every morning I do my lymphatic drainage routine while the kettle boils and I take Obi out for a morning walk in the sunshine. It is so simple, and it has been surprisingly easy to make the swaps (aside from some caffiene and sugar cravings, but they soon go). It's even easier to keep it up when you begin to feel so much better.
If you would like to read about the reset in more detail, I wrote a Substack article about it, which I'll link below x
October Skin Tips
Lets talk about exfoliation. But, I'm going to introduce you to a new word for it... Desquamation.
Desquamation is the shedding of dead corneocyte cells (skin cells) from the outermost layer of the epidermis (skins surface). Your skin does this naturally, without any external help. Exfoliation is the action of touching the skins surface with something and this encourages or forces the removal of skin cells from the surface of the skin. This can be touching the face with a hand, rubbing it with a cloth, every time something touches the surface of the skin, skin cells will be removed, whether they are ready to be removed, or not.
Exfoliation can be supportive for the skin, particularly if the skin has become sluggish and is struggling to desquamate optimally. The tricky part comes when we OVER exfoliate. This can cause the corneocyte cells, not yet at the end of their life, to be removed. This means you are removing cells that are still actively part of your barrier, leading to a disrupted or impaired barrier. An imparied barrier will feel rough to the touch, often leading to people believing they need to exfoliate further, only making the matter worse.
There are many different types of exfoliator; physical (e.g. a scrub or a cloth), chemical (e.g. salycylic acid or a chemical peel) and enzyme (fruit extracts). All have their place and their uses, but a common mistake is using one type too often (a salycylic acid face wash twice a day) or too many of these types within a routine regularly (a salycylic wash, a glycolic toner every day and a scrub twice a week). This is over exfoliating and can lead to the disrupted barrier I explained earlier.
So, what would I recommend?
Take a look at your routine and the ingredients in your products. If your routine sounds like one of the ones I described as over exfoliating and you are experiencing rough skin, bumpy skin, acne, sensitivity, 'dry but oily' skin, redness, dry skin, flaky skin, the culprit could well be an impaired barrier from over exfoliating. I would reccomend cutting out exfoliation completely for a while and allowing your skin to repair.
My exfoliator of choice.... isn't really exfoliation... it's desquamation.
My reccomendation would always be an enzyme exfoliator, twice, maybe three times a week only. This is because its gently desquamates the skin by being applied in a mask form, there is no physical rubbing or harsh stripping of the skin. I like to think of it as Pac Man going around and eating up all the dead skin cells ready to be released by the surface of the skin. My personal favourite is the Dermaviduals Enzyme Mask that you mix yourself at home with a bit of water and apply. It always leaves me with a beautiful glow.
Is there a time and a place for things like Salycylic acid?
ABSOLUTELY! this is a very quick pit stop into the world of desqamation and exfoliation, and I absolutely herald stronger actives, but only when the barrier can support it and utilise it. Otherwise, you are just causing more damage.
If you are unsure you are doing right by your skin, book in a Bespoke treatment with me in October and we can get you to a place of happier, healthier and less reactive skin by Christmas!
Did she just say the 'C' word?
YES! we are officially into the 'Ber' months.....
Meaning....
CHRISTMAS is just around the corner!
Don't forget I have beautiful gift cards which can be written up for any treatment or any amount. They also come with lovely red Christmassy envelopes and ribbon !
For other gift ideas, I have lovely candles, trinkets and boxes available on my shop, so a beautiful handmade gift can be created just for your loved one xx
October Journal Prompts
October carries us from Libra season into Scorpio season, from finding balance and harmony to turning inward and embracing deeper change.
The trees are letting go, the evenings are drawing in, and nature is reminding us that change doesn't always need to be resisted.
"What does feeling grounded mean to me?"
"What part of myself deserves more compassion?"
"Where can I fit some more anti-inflammatory living into my routine?"
"Where do I feel I intuitively want to put my energy?"
"Where am I not listening to my body?"
"How can I listen to my body more?"
Thank you so much for reading and connecting angels,
Love,
Hannah x
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