As this year comes to a close, I’ve already turned my mind to all the incredible things I want to create, do, and discover in 2025. But as excited as I am for the things to come, I can’t help but look back on my journey. Whenever I turn to future goals and possibilities, I try to keep in mind just how much my past experiences have inspired and shaped the person I am today.

Back in the day, I worked with a lot of women who were navigating hormonal imbalances, allergies, injury, and the changes that come with getting older–all of which had an impact on not only their skin but their confidence. 

When I’d ask what kinds of products they were using on their skin, or ask to take a peek at what bottles were on their bathroom counter, I’d often hear or see the words “anti-aging” across multiple products. Anti, anti, anti. As if your skin was the problem, the normal, human changes you experience are wrong, opposite of what you are supposed to be.

It broke my heart to think that every one of those jars was a quiet reminder of what they thought they lacked, of what they’d been told they needed to fix.

It made me think, what if skincare was a true extension of selfcare? What if it wasn’t about fighting battles against your own skin but about finding a way to support your skin with products that don’t shame you? What if skincare was as much about how you feel as how you look?

The more I thought about it, the more these questions refined into what would be the continuing values and mission of Graydon Skincare: What if we could deliver real results to the kinds of people who really, really need something that goes beyond moisturizing, beyond cleansing, to nourish and heal the skin? What if the most aspirational thing wasn’t to erase the years or fight your body, but to simply feel good in your skin? To love yourself enough to give your skin the type of care that feels as incredible as it is effective?

I spent these early days thinking about the ways we talk about beauty made me realize something important. We can all use a little more mindfulness and kindness extended toward ourselves and others.

Another realization: The care part of skincare is just as important as the skin part.

With that in mind, and with this whirlwind year coming to a close, I wanted to share an exercise I used to do a lot with my students back in my yoga teaching days. It’s designed to help you unlearn negative habits and patterns, and also come back to the goodness within you.

Though this is not directly related to skincare, I think the practice of unlearning negative habitual patterns that almost everybody has about their appearance is something that we could all benefit from. As the year comes to a close and self-reflection is the name of the game, it’s also beneficial to tune into the raw, basic goodness of ourselves (inside and out) as it’s a great exercise to improve self esteem.

Mindfulness Practice: Unlearn Negativity and Embrace Your Goodness

1. Sit somewhere with no distractions and bring a pen and paper with you. In your mind, set an intention for this practice. What do you hope to offer? Your vulnerability? An open heart and mind? What do you wish to receive and bring forward in this practice?
2. Create an atmosphere that allows you to turn inwards. Dimmed lights, candles, and a comfy space to sit all help put you in the right space for this practice.
3. Using your pen and paper, write one thing you are longing to release in your life. Then, write one thing your heart is yearning to invite in.
4. Once you’re done writing, burn the paper using a candle or fire. Or, you can also bury the paper (though this might be hard in January!). Either way, you are sending these intentions out into the universe.
5. Close this exercise with some words of gratitude. Give thanks for all you have received this year, and show appreciation to those who have helped guide you through your journey.

This exercise is simple and short, but when done with intention engages your mind, and turns you away from negativity and toward your potential for goodness, joy, and gratitude. I’ve done this by myself and amongst groups before, and both offer unique but wonderful experiences.

New Year, Same You

A lot of times during the new year, we get swept up with all the newness. We dream of more perfect, more organized, more successful, more happy versions of ourselves. We aim for perfection and can sometimes lose who we are now in the process.

That’s why instead of using the phrase, “new year, new you”, I want you to embrace the “you” you are now. Your aspirations should not be about completely changing yourself (which to me is the metaphorical version of an anti-aging product). Instead, see all your aspirations as a way to become more yourself, to step further into who you are. The more “you” you are, the better!

Thanks for joining me on the wild ride that has been 2024. With every passing year, from vegan chef to yoga instructor to skincare founder, each evolution of my life has felt like coming home, like stepping into the values and dreams I hold and long to share.

I can’t wait to see what this new year brings for both of us ❤️