Journal Entry: Finding Peace Amidst Global Chaos

*March 14, 2025*

The lab was quiet this morning as I arrived before anyone else. I needed this moment of stillness before the day begins. Yesterday's production meeting left me drained - not from the work itself (our new Deodorants are finally here!), but from the weight of everything else.

I found myself scrolling through news about conflicts halfway across the world during lunch. Before I knew it, an hour had passed, and my spirit felt heavy with sorrows that weren't mine to carry. There's wisdom in what Dr. Elaine Aron writes about highly sensitive people - [our nervous systems process stimuli more deeply](https://hsperson.com), including the suffering of others. We weren't designed to absorb the pain of the entire world simultaneously.

This morning, I remembered something I read in Dr. Gabor Maté's work on lack of self compassion - how our bodies carry the stress of witnessing suffering and how critical boundaries are for our wellbeing. In his words, we can't heal others if we're depleted ourselves.

Self-protection isn't selfishness. Sometimes tuning out is the most compassionate choice - for ourselves and ultimately for those we serve through our work. Selective ignorance can be medicine. The world needs us whole, not fragmented by a thousand distant sorrows.

Tonight, I'll practice what we preach at Gressa. I'll indulge in our Art of Bathing Full Experience, phone on silent in another room, and Patti Smith's "Just Kids" playing softly in the background. The water will hold me while I let go of what isn't mine to fix. Our souls need this kind of gentle reclaiming - a return to what we can touch, smell, and directly influence.

Tomorrow, I'll be stronger for it.

—Svetlana

Self-Care Practice: The Art of Bathing Ritual

When the world feels too heavy, indulge in the ultimate bath house experience with our Gressa Art of Bathing Full Experience:

1. Begin by preparing your beauty Chay. Boil water, measure a tablespoon of our organic herb blend, and cover with 12 oz of water. Steep for 8-10 minutes. Set aside to enjoy later, either by itself or with a teaspoon of honey once cooled.

2. Create your personal haven by allowing steam to fill your bathroom. Close doors and let hot water flow for 2-3 minutes to achieve maximum steaminess.

3. Once enveloped in warm mist, begin your Hammam ritual with our Hammam Conditioning Soap Paste. Apply generously to your skin, allowing its natural, plant-based formula to soften and prepare your skin. This traditional paste lathers upon contact with water, creating the perfect foundation for gentle exfoliation. Use on both body and face, avoiding sensitive areas.

4. Next, use the Kessa glove to delicately exfoliate in circular motions. This specially designed glove respects your skin barrier while effectively removing toxins and dead skin cells, revealing your natural radiance.

5. After completing your ritual, apply Sillage, which works like a body toner, enriched with emollients and a hydrating blend of neroli and exotic citrus notes.

6. Seal in moisture with our Attar anointing body oil. Massage this luxurious blend thoroughly into your entire body, ensuring every inch absorbs its nourishing embrace.

7. Enhance your post-ritual tranquility with a sip of your prepared Chay, bringing serenity and presence to this moment of bliss.

For transformative results, commit to this ritual weekly and witness your skin transcend from lackluster to luminous and sensual, regardless of the season. This isn't just self-care—it's a declaration that your wellbeing matters in a world that constantly demands your energy.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​