wake up in the morning feeling like...

poo.

Today was just one of those days where you wake up, look in the mirror, and want to go hide in a cave. When I woke up this morning, I looked at my red splotchy, pimply reflection and wanted to disappear. 

Through the majority of my life I have had pretty decent skin. All through high school and most of college I had clear, radiant skin. Of course I had the occasional pimple, but nothing serious. This summer, I even had the clearest skin I have ever had. I could wear a tinted moisturizer and it was enough coverage to keep my skin flawless. It wasn't until this past December when all of that changed.

In November I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. It is an autoimmune disease in which the thyroid gland is gradually destroyed by a variety of cell and antibody mediated immune processes (thank you wikipedia). Hashimoto's causes me to have hypothyroidism, which makes me super tired, my hair falls out, I gain weight easily, and causes depression. When I was diagnosed, I was relieved to know that what I was going through the past 4 years of my life wasn't normal!! I was immediately put on medication to regulate my thyroid. 

About a month after I started taking the medication I started to get blemishes. It wasn't bad at first, and I actually thought the breakouts had to do with a new skin care regimen I had started. I ditched the new regimen and my skin continued to get worse. I have tried almost everything to get my skin back to normal. I was getting to a point where I would cry when I looked in a mirror. I have always had a lot of self assurance and this is putting a huge test on my confidence.

Today when I looked in the mirror I broke down. I hated my body or putting me through this. After my moment of self pity, I looked back in the mirror and realized how fortunate I am. I am healthy, I have a great family, and wonderful friends. I know so many others who have much bigger problems. I even know a family friend who went through thyroid cancer, and will live with a scar down his neck forever. 

Moral of this story: Don't Sweat The Small Stuff.

Love yourself for who you are, not what you look like. The media shows us celebrities with flawless skin, but you have to remember they suffer from the same things we do. Whether it's acne, or something else. 

We are all entitled to have off days when we feel like crap, but just remember that you are beautiful inside and out. Sometimes we need the reminder!!!!

xoxo