So You've Been Crying...

This blog is a place for me to be real and honest. [warning: it's about to get real] The past couple weeks have been super emotional. Hello hormones and life changes. More like, hello vulnerability and hello being real. Bottom line, I have been crying... a lot. Letting go of emotions is normal and healthy. I can attest to being someone who used to bottle everything up and on the least suspecting person I would just explode all of my emotions. [that poor innocent person.] Releasing emotions is healthy and more importantly, it's healing. When something is healing it's going to be real messy at first. It is not going to be pretty. Here's my 4 step process to help with the messy healing [with an optional 5th step if you need it.]

1. Worship/Pray/Meditate <insert spiritual beliefs here>
Putting on a song with lyrics that speak to your situation will bring some healing. Singing that song at the top of your lungs will bring even more healing. [sorry neighbors.] Immersing yourself in God's word will heal too. A lot of times God will lead me right to the verse I need to speak to my situation. Also simply talking to God and letting him know how you're feeling helps your heart to heal. [friends help a lot with this too. buy them a coffee and unload your heart on them.]
2. Put on your shades and your favorite hoodie.
Now let me get this out there, sometimes sunglasses inside are acceptable. Hiding crying eyes is about the only time it's appropriate. [unless you're hiding from the paparazzi, then go ahead and keep those shades on] I don't like to invest in sunglasses because I end up dropping them or sitting on them by mistake. $5 is about the most I will spend on some shades. [forever 21 anyone?] For hoodie options, I am sticking with Forever 21 too! Put that hood up and your shades on and let out those tears. But... give yourself a time limit! There is a fine line between releasing emotions and feeling sorry for yourself. Release those tears and then move onto step #3.

3. Find yourself a good under eye concealer!
When you cry your eyes get puffy, there's just no way to avoid it. I have 3 favorites that I like to pile on after a good cry. First though I prep my eyes for the coverage. I give them a good wash and add some moisture back into the poor dry skin that has been covered in salty tears. Any eye cream/gel will work but my favorite right now is Yes to Cucumbers soothing eye gel. Now that your eyes are ready, pop on that concealer.
L'Oreal Visible Lift CC concealer has a metal rollerball with helps cool the under eyes while applying concealer. The coverage is great too!
Benefit Erase Paste is some heavy duty stuff. I like to apply it with my finger by tapping it under each eye and then using my Real Techniques setting brush to blend it out.
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer is just your run of the mill concealer with great coverage [mine is very well loved.]

4. Run it out!
Once the tears have dried up and you have successfully covered up those puffy eyes, get out and do something. For me that 'something' is running. A good endorphin release helps me to snap back to reality and out of the mopey mental state. It also helps me pound out any anger that may be lingering. Anger is not a good look. Strap on your trainers and get outside. If running isn't your thing than just walk. Fresh air equals fresh perspective.

[optional step 5: When all else fails just grab yourself a nice piece of chocolate.]