To the kid looking down

This isn’t permanent and it's not forever.

My office is on the same floor as a dermatologists. Every time I go to the bathroom that’s in the hallway and shared by everyone, I walk by that office. Today I saw this kid, probably around 15 to 17, walking behind his mom with his head down. As I walked by, the mom gave me a smile and a head nod, he didn’t even notice me. He wouldn’t have noticed if Margo Robbie walked by! His head was so far down to the ground, most likely hiding his face from shame. I only say that because I know that feeling. I’ve been there before.

I saw myself in him. I know that feeling, all too well. I wanted to take him aside and say, hey kid, it’s not always going to be like this. One day, your skin will be completely clear and you won’t have to walk around with your head down in embarrassment and shame.

This isn’t permanent and it’s not forever.

I wanted to find the pictures I used to take on my phone every day before school, during school, and in the bathroom to see what everyone else is seeing. I used to do this all the time to see how bad I looked.

That’s such a tough time in every kid’s life. I felt for him. I was him.

I went on accutane my junior year of high school and think it changed my life, this is obviously not sponsored and I’m not a doctor but it cleared my skin like magic. It came with some pretty shitty side effects. I looked like the joker as my lips were peeling off my face but hey, my skin was clearing up.

I’d never been drier in my life and would apply aquaphor like it was my job which made my lips shiny as if I was wearing lip gloss. My hairline started to receded although that could just be my genetics.

None of it lasted forever, nothing does.

That embarrassment you’re feeling won’t be forever.

Keep your head up, kid.