Getting it over the net
Sunday Dinner essay + exclusive Clarins promo code for 25% off
In this newsletter you will find:
Why I switched to Substack
Essay: Getting it over the net
Clarins Friends and Family - Exclusive early access to the Friends and Family sale and our favorite items
Disclosure: If you purchase anything through links in this newsletter, we may make a commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support!
Welcome to Substack
Welcome to Substack! I have had Substack since 2021, but never sent an email on it because I felt like it was only for writers. However, I love reading Substacks. It reminds me of how I used to read blogs and comment and then interact with other people’s comments. I have only sent two newsletters on my other platform, so I made the switch. I want everyone to be able to like, comment and read others comments.
I also love the app and how it tells me what I have read and what I need to read, and approximately how many minutes it will take to read. I just love the experience and I decided to bring my newsletter over here. I hope you like it! I am most excited to be able to interact with everyone in the comments section! No other changes - you will still see the newsletter in your email inbox, but can also access via the Substack app. I know, I know. Who needs another app? But I really do enjoy it!
Getting it over the net
How Rebecca's volleyball team has made me realize why I never feel accomplished
Rebecca is doing volleyball for the first this year. She has not taken to any sports she tried in the past (soccer, basketball or tennis), but I was hoping she would find a team sport/ activity she would like since that is where you practice for other life lessons. She had her first game last weekend and I just love watching how her and her teammates support each other. At the game last weekend, I cried when a girl on the other team served the ball and it made it over the net. Her team rushed her with high-fives and hugs. The girl did a little happy dance and proceeded to miss her next serve. But she did not care - she still got one over.
Rebecca did not get a serve over nor did she return a volley last weekend. She then spent last week practicing her serves and bumping the ball with this thing I found on Amazon. We talked about how she just needs to take her time, clear her mind and to focus on keeping her shoulders straight. We practiced yelling “MINE” loudly so people knew she was going after it. We emphasized that practice makes progress, but it does not make perfection.
She was a different player yesterday. She scored several times. Went after the ball and returned for several points. She was so happy whenever she scored, and had to look around to see if it was okay to be excited. Her teammates rushed her with smiles, high fives and hugs. Other teammates that were not able to get it over the net last week were able to this week. The girls were so proud of each other - they even won their second match.
Watching Rebecca and her team play has reminded me why I have had such a hard time transitioning to working for myself full-time. I miss teamwork. I miss cheering others on. I miss encouragement. I miss being able to practice without the guilt of failing.
Even as adults, we need it. Whenever I think about my parents or have a good cry session in the car, I always talk into a voice memo — kind of like journaling. Every voice note has the same theme - are they proud of me?
I do not know how to explain it - I miss them every single day. But the absence of their approval has been one of the hardest things to overcome. An innate desire to know if I am doing a good job. If they are proud. When I was working, I was getting that desire from work. A good performance review. A “great job” email. A thank you from a co-worker. Feeling needed and being able to help out to solve an issue.
After I left my job and was no longer getting that, the ache of my parents’ absence of pride turned into a throbbing pain. Who is proud of me now? When my brain thinks about all of the things I am not accomplishing or the things I could be doing, I need to know that at least I am making a difference. Instead, I just feel like a floundering failure who never gets her serves over the net.
I know I cannot always rely on others approval. Or high-fives. I have to learn how to give it to myself. I will celebrate small wins here and there, but I am not consistent with it. I am great at cheering others on, but fail at cheering myself on.
An eternal optimist, seeing Rebecca’s team improve week after week has reminded me that I can improve too. But I can only improve if I give myself room to practice and make mistakes. To wrap myself in a hug when I score a point. To yell at myself “Great try!! At least you went for it!!” To tell myself “Let’s go bud! Take your time. Clear your mind. Focus on keeping your shoulders straight.” I can do this.
Clarins Friends and Family Sale
This is not sponsored, but we do make a commission if you buy from our links
The Clarins Friends and Family sale starts tomorrow. However, they emailed me and said that I could share this code with my followers today for early access. They only do site wide sales like this twice a year, so it is a great time to stock up - especially if you are buying more than one thing! Usually you have to buy 3 things to get 25% off, but right now “MYSISTERMADEMEBUYIT” is working for 25% off. Plus you can pick three samples and they are great samples! If you do not want to buy a full-size mask, there is a cryo mask sample you can get —with any purchase!
Top 2 Clarins recommendations
Check out our Clarins Favorites Highlight on Instagram
My top recommendation is the Clarins Double Serum. If you are someone who is intimidated by skincare or someone who loves skincare, this serum hydrates, plumps and firms. I use the Double Serum at night as the last step in my routine before moisturizer. If my face is feeling dry, I will also use in the morning before moisturizer and sunscreen. It is expensive, though - so I only try to use at night!
Of course if you have been following me lately, you have heard us wax poetic about the Cryo mask. They were sponsored posts, but it was a win-win for us because we would have posted about the mask anyways. We were able to try it out before it was released to the public and FELL IN LOVE WITH IT.
All the reasons I love it:
It just feels good. I need an immediate reward when I am doing just about anything, which is why I struggle with so much. Haha. The cooling sensation of the mask is said to lower your skin temperature by 7 degrees. Now, I do not know if that is a thing, but I do know it feels great. Especially if you have sinus pain, headache or migraine.
It is so moisturizing. I like to use it before an event because it is the best base for makeup application. I will wear the mask for ten minutes, wipe off with a dry cloth (or if you are oily, you can splash face with water and then wipe off), add sunscreen and I am ready to go.
I notice some lifting and plumping. I do not have good before and afters to show you because I never think before and afters look that different. But my face feels plumper. And my eyebrows look higher than they did before the mask.
It is expensive. I know. But if you are a sheet mask user, I think it is comparable to a sheet mask (with better results for me!). I estimate about 20 uses out of my jar (it could be more), which amounts to about $4/use. $4 to feel like like I just got a facial?! SOLD.
Of course, I think one of our followers said it best:
I do recommend using a mask brush if you can - here are the ones we use. It helps prevent contamination plus I think you use less mask when you use one.
Thank you for reading! I will continue to make changes to the newsletter format until I figure it out. Until then - practice makes progress!
XOXO Sarah
In spirit of the essay - just wanted to give myself a comment that I'm proud of you for publishing without perfection.
Every day you lift us, your loyal followers, up - with your encouraging words, honest sharing of yourselves (thank you!) and real-world, common-sense approach to life! You deserve ALL the kudos - you’re doing excellent work!