My distaste for botox and cosmetic procedures began when the term ‘preventitive botox’ started floating around in my early twenties. I assumed that I would want to get it some day, but why before I was even showing signs of aging? As I continued on my journey of healing and self acceptance, I learned how predatory the anti-aging industry really is, and how it is all just a marketing scheme to profit off your insecurities. As I approach thirty the self doubt still creeps into my head sometimes that I might look better if I get a couple treatments done. Then I remember the propaganda that I am feeding into, and remind myself that the look of my face changes nothing about who I am as a person. When people with manufactured faces and filters are at the forefront of our social media, we forget what aging actually looks like. People have aged for centuries without quick fixes and cosmetic work, and it is still possible as long as you learn to accept and care for yourself.