Burned by the Sun, Saved by the Lesson

Today was supposed to be simple. A quick stop at the market, a stroll through the park, maybe a moment under the sun to remind myself that I’m alive and the world is still beautiful.

But by the end of the day, my shoulders were on fire, my cheeks were the shade of heartbreak, and my skin? Let’s just say it was giving... extra crispy. Somewhere between sipping iced tea and romanticizing my walk, I had forgotten the most important love story: the one where I protect myself.

I’ve always been a sucker for sunlight. There’s something about golden hour that makes everything feel cinematic. But there I was, glowing red in all the wrong places, wincing as I reached for moisturizer and realizing—I had completely skipped sunscreen. Again.

It wasn’t just a beauty mistake. It felt... symbolic.

Because isn’t that what we do sometimes? Rush into the warmth, ignore the warnings, thinking we’re invincible? Whether it’s the sun, a toxic situation, or someone who doesn’t love us back—we leap, hoping for magic, only to end up burned.

But here’s what I know now:

Self-care isn’t always bubble baths and candles. Sometimes it’s a little tube of SPF in your bag, a boundary you don’t let someone cross, a reminder that your skin—and your soul—are worth protecting.

So to anyone who’s ever forgotten the sunscreen, emotionally or otherwise—this is your gentle reminder:

Shield yourself. Love yourself. Don’t wait until you’re peeling to know you deserve better.

And as I sit here, aloe in hand and wiser by one sunburn, I can’t help but wonder…

what if the real glow-up is learning to care for ourselves before the damage is done?

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Sun-Kissed + Self-Loved: A Rooibos Ritual for the Burned & the Beautiful

A tea moment that feels like a handwritten apology to your body… and a vow to protect it better tomorrow.

The Ritual

Set the Scene:

Light a candle that smells like warm linen or coconut. Drape a soft robe over your shoulders (even if they're a bit pink). Turn on a playlist that makes you feel like the main character—Sade, Solange, or soft French jazz.

Brew Your Peace:

While the water boils, take a moment to thank your body for holding you. The sun may have burned you, but you’re still here—soft, healing, radiant.

Sip + Soak:

Drink your tea slowly, like it’s a love letter in liquid form. Optional: pair it with an aloe facial mask or cool compress on your shoulders.

Reflect & Reset:

Write one sentence about how you’ll love yourself more tenderly tomorrow. It can be as simple as: “I’ll wear sunscreen. I’ll choose softness. I’ll remember I’m worth protecting.”

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The Tea Recipe

Golden Rooibos Recovery Tonic

a warm hug for sun-tired skin and weary spirits

• 1 heaping tsp loose-leaf rooibos (Upland Tea House’s Royal Golden Latte is perfect)

• 1/2 tsp dried chamomile

• 2 slices fresh ginger

• 1/4 tsp turmeric (optional for inflammation)

• 1 tsp honey or agave

• A splash of oat milk or almond milk (for creaminess)

Directions:

Steep rooibos, chamomile, ginger, and turmeric in just-boiled water for 7-10 minutes. Strain, stir in honey, and top with a dreamy swirl of oat milk.

Sip slowly. Dream wildly. And promise yourself—tomorrow, we choose shade and SPF 50.