Why sun care is a promise to your (future) self

Most people who know me have seen me constantly reapplying sunscreen, and slathering it on anyone around me.

Since I was 14, it has been an integral part of my life. But the reason why is slightly less known…

Sun care was a companion in turbulent times

I had an extremely mentally abusive childhood, culminating in my biological father attempting to murder my mom when I was 15. In the years leading up to that, in the midst of depression and isolation, sun care was a solace.

Every day, I would put sunscreen on to face another day. Whether good or bad, this ritual was my pledge to get through it. Nobody could take it away from me. It was a spot of self-care in an endless blur of distress.

Most of all, sun care is a commitment to our future

To me, sun care was a way that I cared for myself (and still is), no matter what happens. It is a commitment to our future selves — that we will face the future bravely, and in as optimal a condition as we can. To protect ourselves from potential health issues, and from the regret of not doing our best for ourselves in our youth.

Sun care is a promise to yourself in the future; a promise that you thought about them in the future, and did your best to take care of them.

And now it’s something that I do for others, too, to protect their time ahead, and show that I care about them, come rain or shine.

Will you make a promise to your future self today? Grab some sunscreen and put a hat on.