Well, after coming home from senior trip, my lips just didn't feel quite right. Even under a layer of moisturizing agents, I could sense that something was off.
Being the scientist that I pretend to be, I pondered which variable was contributing to this strange dry, rough feeling. Was it because I was in Socal for five days? Probably not, because it was rainy and not unusually arid. Was it because I was using Blistex Medicated more frequently than a neutral chapstick like EOS? Was it because after all these years of applying layer after layer of chapstick, my lips are finally tired of being suffocated? Who knows!
In the end, I decided to fast from chapstick for 24 hours, and now, indefinitely. The first two hours were painful. My lips literally started cracking and peeling. I couldn't really concentrate on anything at the hospital. The second two hours were better, but only because I kept a mug of tea nearby to distract from the dryness. I went to bed without applying chapstick and couldn't fall asleep, so I read Amy Tan's The Bonesetter's Daughter (it's aiight). This morning, I refrained from the ritual swiping-on motion that I am so accustomed to.
Going cold turkey on chapstick is something that I refused doing for most of post-childhood life. I (overdramatically) liken it to giving up air or water. I know my habit is silly and even ridiculous at times, to my friends' exasperation, amusement, eye-rolling, and teasing. I may still be addicted, but I refuse to let chapstick define or bind me!
My lips feel okay right now.
You must think I'm crazy for writing a whole blog about my lips.
:) Bonus feature: guess whose these are!
Answers: I've forgotten. Sorry if they're yours! If you want them taken down, I have another dozen I can put up.
No comments:
Post a Comment