Be the Change you Want to See

My original thoughts on these words were to wait and share them around New Years, but why wait? Why did I feel the need to have a New Year validate the new things I wanted to accomplish?

Because we live in a time where New Years resolutions mean a clean slate to start over, but in reality we determine when to clean our own slates. A social media mama friend of mine said “small steps in the right direction are still steps". That really resonated with me to write this now and not at the end of the year.

So I’m not, I’m not waiting. Not for a new year not for a new day. I’ve started, and it’s beautiful.

I feel like 2017 and 2018 have been such years of growth for me, I’m embracing it all and taking it one step at a time. In 2017, I started to worry about the kind of sunblock I was using for Shawn (my now 7 year old). There was a picture that had just gone viral of a baby that suffered from a chemical burn because of the sunblock the parents chose to use (and yes, the sunblock was intended for kids).

Seeing this was like a slap in the face, how could something intended for babies and small children possibly contain anything that would cause a chemical burn? So I started looking things up on the World Wide Web like I'm sure we all do, I think I scared myself more than anything.

Luckily for me, I know Rebekah and she is super conscious about these types of things so she was definitely my go to. She introduced me to Beautycounter sunscreen and it’s one of the safer alternatives for big brand name sunscreens that I’ve been able to find.

Being introduced to Beautycounter is really one of the main reasons I decided to change certain aspects of my life. This company is out to do so much GOOD in this world and at this time in my life I need all the good I can get. This company is really committed to a higher standard of safety when it comes to everyday products that go on our skin, from sunscreen, to makeup, to shower essentials for the whole family.

It’s as if this is just the tip of the iceberg and as cliché as that sounds it’s the only phrase I can think of to describe what I feel has awoken inside me.

I feel the social need to do better, be better, and hopefully influence others to do better. So when we go to restaurants I refuse straws, I’ve been more aware of the snack choices I offer to Shawn, the products I use on his skin, trying my hardest to shop small (because we do vote with our dollars). I’m also so proud to say that since being introduced to Beautycounter I’ve become a consultant so that I could personally advocate for safer more regulated products for everyone!

Now, that’s not to say that I’m perfect at all of these things. I constantly forget my reusable bags and I still have a love for all things Target. What has significantly changed is the way my brain thinks about these things before I do them.

My challenge to you is to create change - don’t wait for change! Start now! Get a reusable straw and refuse those plastic demons. Think about where you spend your money. Think about what ways you can help yourself, your family, and the world. That’s one less plastic straw or bag in the ocean. That one small shop that your supporting leads to that mom or pop being able to pay for little league baseball this season. If you think these small things don’t make a difference just remember THEY DO!! So do yourself (and me) a favor and truly think about your actions on a day to day basis and start out small and see how the choices you make will snowball into big changes!

Andrea here, I’m a 26 year old Bay Area native. Mom to an amazing 7 year old soul who makes me want to be better everyday. I grew up surrounded by an amazing sense of community, my Boys and Girls Club really helped shape the person I am today. So with this new wave of social media and such a different way to connect, I am beyond grateful to have a social community and to be featured on A Stronger Version of Her. This community of women have become some of my favorite people to engage with and feed off of their vibes. Thanks for taking the time to read my post if you’d like to stay posted with my day to day feel free to follow me on Instagram

Shop Beautycounter products or ask me questions!