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This chapter is called…?

It’s time to put manicured nail to qwerty again. My mental demanded a break, and yet being back feels better than ever. Once again I’m reminded of the therapy this part of my job is, how grateful I am to be able to do so many of the things I really love. More than ever I realise how fortunate I am to do what I have loved for over 20 years, & how blessed I am to have clients who actually want to hear me wag my chin about the symphony of texture, aroma & results that is Matis.

I went for my laser hair removal this week @ https://satoribeautyandwellness.co.za/  (I do LOVE barter…) & my gorgeous, oh so fabulous friend Hayley gave me possibly the biggest compliment I have ever received. She told me how happy she is for me,  looking at where my life is now🥰 ; not so long ago I felt like nothing was going right. Frustrated with stagnation, overwhelmed with the mountain that is my degree, stressed, exhausted, aching; completely missing the essence of me.

I can point to a week, maybe even a few moments when I felt a shift in my spirit, a time when my head & heart decided on the same dance, switching between lead and follow, and finally the darkness lifted & just like that… all the pieces (I didn’t even know were missing) fell together. So many contributing factors and so many hearts play a critical role in the story that is my life & to all you treasures, Thank You!

The past month or two we have seen more people concerned with ageing than I can remember! We’ve seen more clients change to anti-age serums, and more clients expand their homecare routines. Our data shows a definite upward trend in more anti-age skincare treatments & we’re here for it! With the sun finally out to play after it’s little tantrum last week, I feel it’s the best time to celebrate ageing gracefully, AND taking it up a notch with our skincare. I can honestly say that I am obsessed with how fantastic my skincare is at the minute, I’ve introduced the Densifiance serum & the Caviar cream; the level of bliss I am experiencing on a daily in front of my bathroom mirror is positively life changing. My dedication to treat my neck & hands more specifically is a true representation of “over 40” 🤦🏽‍♀️I would be THRILLED to talk more about this is you catch me at the salon 😉

I am so excited to focus this month’s promos on anti-ageing, weather you’re 30, 40 or 70, we all would love to age more gracefully so let’s start right now!

I know, we’re speeding toward that dreaded time of year where everyone is grumpy, there are more bad days, your tired is tired & even if you plan to do Christmas shopping early, you very well may find yourself short tempered and frustrated on the 24th of December. Some things don’t change. What I can confidently say is, that 5 minutes with your skin at the end of each day works just like a plaster on your 5 year old’s knee. 😉 It’s also what your skin needs.

EASE:

If you do something with ease, you do it easily, without difficulty

to make or become less severe, difficult, unpleasant, painful

What would this chapter of my life be called? “Ease”, not because it’s easy, but because I want to squeeze as much ease into each day I can. Because I will choose to only take on only what I can, to unapologetically take a step back when frustration and unnecessary difficulty are the grey clouds and heavy stones that make the way forward an uphill battle, and possibly most importantly, I want to show the people in my life that “with ease” is the only way to handle me. I promise to check-in with myself whenever necessary, to make sure I remain firmly seated in my unapologetic femininity. Being the adultiest adult in many areas of my life for longer than I’d liked, has cultivated a woman who craves ease like never before.

Here’s to an October full of anti-age habits; minds, hearts & spirits that are calm & full of ease. Who’s with me?

 

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Just checking in

Driving to work this morning I listened to a podcast, Erwin McManus said “anyone can create art but not many can create beauty” this on the heel of the notion that hate is easy, but hope, forgiveness & love are hard; that the human condition means more effort is attached to higher emotions.

I find this analogy truly beautiful. So often our strength is measured by how little emotion we display, how nonchalant we come across, perhaps even how little things, situations & people phase us. I think this misrepresentation of strength is what makes us weaker.

During the wars, the men, strong, tough, manly men, were strong enough to write love letters to the woman who held their hearts captive. Serenades in the rain and having the pleasure of her company weren’t something to be ashamed of, what happened to the beauty and wonder of those emotions?

After taking this in I suddenly wondered how everyone feels their year is going. We’re always getting to the end of the year & complaining about how bad, or slow, or disappointing it was, maybe we could “check-in” with each other here, at the end of Q1, to share some love, do something special for someone, or just tell a friend how wonderful they are. Just maybe we can throw caution to the wind & be reckless with how much we choose to love, because that’s what it is right? A choice.

 Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness

Reflecting on my year so far, I’m so proud of the changes I’ve made, proud of my heart & the new things about myself I’ve fallen in love with. I’m slowly, yet ever surely becoming the best version of myself, I used to beat myself up for loving & caring so much, now I’m just so thankful. ❤️🙏🏽

I can’t wait for the next chapter in my story & the empathetic, loving people I’m still going to meet (husband, I’m ready 😉)

A Thank -you to you,

“On the 1st of April 2015 I never could have imagined the road that lay ahead. Thank God I didn’t, because there’s no way I would’ve chosen to still take that first leap.
As each year goes by, I’m more & more in awe of God’s hand over my life, more in love with myself, and no longer scared of being proud of where I am.
A warm, heartfelt THANK-YOU to each & every client & friend who chooses Matis Fourways every time. To my gorgeous mommy, my life’s companions, my hype team & my amazing staff, I love you all so dearly!”

 

With love,

Laurien

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What’s your main concern?

Well well well… here we are again; the last month of the year, my last blog of the year.

With the significance of the month at the forefront, I have decided to slightly put my skincare teaching hat down & just spew some thoughts onto this screen.

Now that we’re all in the obvious (for most of us), “can’t wait for the end of the year” mode, dare I ask if you’ve had time to reflect on your 2023? I had a conversation with a friend last night & as I heard the words effortlessly streaming from my mind into the atmosphere, I realised how much this year taught me. Admittedly, we all know lessons & learnings aren’t generally easy, they are not without hurt & pain, & sometimes they leave scars, however, when we finally really learn, there is a peace, a comfort, an almost shedding old skin  epiphany & isn’t that beautiful?

“What is your main concern” is a line skincare therapists use all the time, it’s significant because treating your skin is in our hands, but identifying what bothers you is the starting point. I can’t help but sit here & wonder, do we ask ourselves this question enough in our day to day lives?

This friend asked me if I was a little worried about my age in relation to settling down & getting married, he also asked if I would consider being married in less than a year. When faced with questions like these, would you ask yourself “What is my main concern”? I think I’ll leave that to marinate.

This year I finally learned to understand that the only opinion that matters is God’s. I have been Christian for many years but this year I learned that I have had a really bad habit of taking issues, cares, concerns out of God’s hands & attempting to fumble my way through them-all the while wondering why things have to be so heavy, so hard, & why some things are so confusing. I vow stop trying to steer my ship & accept more rest. This life can be so tumultuous, how can we be in charge all the time? I don’t know about you but I’m exhausted!

There will always be things to complain about, there’s always somewhere we feel we’re falling short & always some unnecessary thing to deter us. I’m guilty of trying too hard in my own strength to fix everything, overthinking, & wearing myself out, but instead of doing what I’ve always done, it’s time to shift gears. Those of you who know me, know that I’m not one for new year’s resolutions, I like to think of something about myself I could work on, this will be my most challenging one at my big age 😂 I hope when you see me next you’ll remind me & remind yourself to put it down & stop wrestling.

From my amazing staff & I, we wish you a wonderful festive season, a very merry Christmas, a safe new year & most of all, a peace & joy that stays with you always ❤️

As always, it has been our pleasure to spoil you, listen to you, laugh with you & teach you about your skin this year.

We are closing on Saturday the 23rd of December & will be ready to welcome you back on the 3rd of January.

All my love, Laurien

 

P.S Thank you to Pst James for the eye opening message “God has called us to rest & not to wrestle” You & my City Life Church Lonehill family are so dear to my heart.