Wednesday Ramblings

 

           Wednesday Ramblings: Pivot, Push & Pink Skies

I can’t believe it’s already Wednesday. This week is flying by so fast.

On my drive to work this morning around 6:40 a.m., the sky was absolutely breathtaking — layers of blue, pink, and purple blending together like a watercolor painting. It’s one of those quiet moments that makes you pause and just feel grateful to be awake and witnessing it. I’m ready for this day to develop.

I’m still riding the high from such a fun weekend. Saturday was packed in the best way. I had a great time with my co-worker Sheila, and then getting to see Bob Snyder at The Blue Door in Oklahoma City with Nancy was such a treat. There’s just something about live music in an intimate setting that feeds the soul a little differently.

Sunday was supposed to be Mr. C’s early birthday celebration. Since Jonathan and Alicia will be in Italy during his actual birthday, we planned a grill-out at Brody and Savannah’s to celebrate ahead of time. But… real life happened. Lane and Landon (and a few others) ended up sick, so we made the call to postpone. Pivot and evolve, right?

The only downside was that I had already ordered the cupcake cake. But honestly, we just made it work. We picked it up, shared cupcakes with Lane and Landon, and with Brody and Savannah, and turned it into something sweet in a different way. Not what we planned — but still special.

Monday at work, though? Whew. Not my best day.

I’m really going to have to push it because I’m not on track to hit my monthly goal. I still need 60 saves this week, which feels pretty close to impossible for me. But I’m not giving up. I’m going to try very, very hard and just focus on one member at a time. That’s all I can do.

One evening after work — maybe tomorrow — I’m planning to head over to Blake and Jessica’s to see Hattie, Brooks, and Logan. I also need to talk more about the New York trip. Just thinking about that makes me excited.

At home, I’ve been staging Christmas decor, and it’s looking so much better. It’s past time to get it back in closet or out in shop. I still need to take a few totes out to the shop, but getting things organized is helping my stress level. I’ve realized I function so much better when things aren’t sitting on my mental to-do list, quietly nagging at me.

And then there’s my perioral dermatitis. It’s really bothering me right now — itchy, painful, burning when I put anything on it. Besides the medicine Dr. Angie prescribed, I think I’m going to try “zero therapy” on my face. A very gentle, sensitive soap, the medication, and nothing else. No extra products. Just letting my skin calm down and heal. Sometimes less really is more.

So that’s my Wednesday ramble. Beautiful skies. Weekend gratitude. Work pressure. Family pivots. Skin struggles. And still — a thankful heart.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. If you’re reading this, I’d love for you to say a quick hi in the comments. I truly appreciate you being here, and I hope you have a blessed and wonderful Wednesday.

Skin Issues

 

                 When Your Skin Rebels: My Experience with Perioral Dermatitis

Lately, my skin has decided to throw a little tantrum.

Right around my mouth and nose, I started noticing redness. Then came the itching. Then the burning. Not intense, but enough to be uncomfortable — like my skin was constantly irritated and trying to tell me something.

If you’ve ever dealt with Perioral dermatitis, you know it’s not just a breakout. It’s a persistent, inflamed rash that shows up most often around the mouth (and sometimes the nose and eyes). It can look like small red bumps, dry patches, or irritated skin that just won’t calm down.

At first, I thought I was helping it.

I had a steroid cream and it seemed like it was improving things — temporarily. But when I went to see Dr. Angie, she gently let me know that steroids were actually not the right move for this condition. In fact, steroid creams can make perioral dermatitis worse over time, even if they give short-term relief.

So off to the pharmacy I went with a new prescription in hand and a new plan.

And honestly? That visit was a turning point.

What Causes Perioral Dermatitis?

From what I’ve learned, perioral dermatitis can be triggered by several things:

• Overuse of topical steroid creams
• Heavy facial creams or occlusive skincare products
• Harsh cleansers or over-exfoliating
• Fluoridated toothpaste (in some cases)
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Makeup overload
• Stress (because of course it is)

Sometimes it’s not just one thing — it’s a combination. For me, using that steroid cream thinking I was “fixing” it may have actually been fueling the fire.

What I’m Doing Differently

Right now, I’m keeping things very simple.

• I’m washing my face with a gentle, non-irritating cleanser instead of my usual active products.
• I’ve completely stopped wearing makeup. As much as I’d love to cover the redness, I don’t want to aggravate it.
• I’m following the prescription Dr. Angie gave me consistently.
• I’m resisting the urge to try every trending skincare product on the internet.

And let me tell you — sometimes doing less is the hardest part.

Gentle Cleansing Ideas That Can Help

If you’re dealing with this too, here are some dermatologist-approved style approaches that are generally recommended:

1. Use a Mild Cleanser

Look for fragrance-free, non-foaming cleansers. Gentle options people often tolerate well include brands like:

• CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
• Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

The goal is to cleanse without stripping your skin barrier.

2. Skip the Actives

Now is not the time for:

• Retinol
• Vitamin C
• Exfoliating acids
• Scrubs

Let your skin rest.

3. Choose Lightweight Moisture

If your skin feels dry, use a simple, fragrance-free moisturizer. Sometimes less truly is more.

How to Soothe It (Beyond Prescription Medicine)

While medication helps treat the inflammation, there are comfort strategies that can make daily life easier:

• Use lukewarm water — hot water can increase redness.
• Pat dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing.
• Avoid heavy creams and thick occlusives.
• Keep your hands off your face (harder than it sounds).
• Consider switching to a mild toothpaste if you suspect irritation.
• Reduce stress where you can — even a short walk or quiet time helps.

And maybe most importantly: be patient.

Perioral dermatitis doesn’t clear overnight. Sometimes it actually flares when you stop steroids before it improves. That can be frustrating, but it’s part of the healing process.

The Emotional Side of It

There’s something vulnerable about having a visible skin condition. Even if it’s mild, it’s on your face. It’s the first thing you see in the mirror.

Choosing not to wear makeup right now isn’t easy — but I’m reminding myself that healing matters more than covering it up. This is temporary. My skin is adjusting. And I’m learning to treat it more gently instead of attacking it.

Sometimes our skin forces us to slow down.

And maybe that’s not the worst thing.