I know we are all keen to get clear skin but do other people set mental deadlines like me? I say to myself, hopefully my skin will be better by this date or this time and then being disappointed when it isn't. Deadlines don't help, they just end in negativity. While we wait for our treatments to work or our next GP or Dermatologist visit, we are expected to go out in the real world and try to live our lives as normal no matter how hard it might be. To a certain degree, even if we can eventually get rid of acne, we have to put up with it for a certain amount of time first. Often, people just spend this time beating themselves up and thinking negative thoughts, but when a treatment is working we can be more positive. We all have to find coping strategies. This is what I'm focusing on right now, I'm having several skin problems right now, mostly my dermatitis on my face that developed because of skin care products that irritated my face. Everyday, I think about it and other people sometimes say things (rarely, people usually keep quiet) My family is not really very understanding, I can't really tell them how I feel. I feel like the world is saying to me "you have these skin problems, just live with it" but I don't want to. Believe me, I'm not extremely negative about this problem but patience and positivity are essential to getting through it and people don't seem to mention it enough.
Positivity Is key but it is hard to be positive when acne kills your confidence. Its like telling someone with a broken leg to walk it off. Its not that easy. I try to have a positive attitude but its fake. So yea I understand.
I went on a few dates in my 20s and tried to be social while having bad acne. I just had to force myself and have a full on panic attack then recover and go out and do it. Force yourself to be happy and see what happens. Shitty advice but that's what I did.
Btw my family didn't understand either now I'm older and seen as a huge disappointment. Dont be like me.
I understand you!
I used to feel the same way. Then I joined Facebook and found some old friends from when I was like 6 years old (now I am 18). Just by chatting with them and remember good times I had with all of them keeps me positive and in control of my life. I get the sense of "everything is going to be alright" and plus they are really good friends so they don't treat me different now due to my acne. It is like we never stop talking when the reality is we had not spoken in 12 years.
Yeah I know what you mean, a lot of people focus on the negative (understandably so) on this site...one good piece of advice is to 'fake it til you make it' - generally not applied to acne but it's helped me at the times when I've not wanted to leave the house or when I'm out and constantly stressing about my skin...if you pretend to be excited about going out and pretend to be carefree when you're socialising you will eventually start to be feel excited and carefree!
