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I live for a multipurpose product that can remedy several pesky concerns in one. All the more better if it’s affordable enough for me to replace time and time again. For many, that one product is the Palmer’s Swivel Stick, a $9 moisturizing stick packed full of nourishing ingredients that swiftly soften peeling lips, dry elbows, flaking around your nose and rough cuticles—the list seriously goes on. 

The targeted moisturizer leans on cocoa butter and vitamin E to help restore damaged skin back to a healthy state. Whether you’re dealing with stretch marks, acne scars, blemishes or just dry patches, applying the stick across problem areas over the course of several days can help bring visible results.

I mean, there’s a reason the product has earned over 14,000 five-star ratings from Amazon shoppers (and even more on the brand’s direct site.) One reviewer wrote that they’ve relied on it for “20 years and counting,” sharing that it’s “never disappointed” them ever, while another explained how useful it is for tattoo healing and after-care.

Amazon

Palmer’s Swivel Stick

“I’ve always had a hard time keeping my lips hydrated, no matter how much I hydrate my body,” wrote another fan. “The last couple years I’ve been on medications that made these issues ever worse. I even made my own chapstick for years, trying to find a natural way to help. I tried this stuff out of desperation one day and will NEVER go back to anything else as long as I can get my hands on this. The SPF version is great too.”

“I’ve used cocoa butter for a long time and already love the product. These sticks just kick it up a notch. I can apply to the back of my hands, or wherever, without getting my palms greasy. I even use it in my hair. The stick doesn’t turn to slippery oil as fast as scooping it out of the jar,” raved a third.

RELATED: Revolve Just Dropped the Biggest Sale We’ve Seen Lately, So Stock Up On Jackets, Winter Must-Haves & More

Plus, if you scoop the swivel stick on Amazon, you’ll get a pack of three for less than $10. Considering the product’s success rate, this is one affordable find you don’t want to overlook. You can also sign up for subscribe and save orders to unlock a discount of 20 percent each time.

The brand also carries additional shopper-loved products, including a Skin Therapy Face Oil that had people going make-up free. 

Photo: Palmer’s.

Most of us in this age bracket didn’t have to give a lot of thought to media and how to consume it.

There were two major delivery channels – print and broadcast. Print consisted of newspapers that landed on the front doorstep each morning, and national magazines like Life, Look, Newsweek and Time.

Broadcast consisted mostly of radio until television took off beginning in the 1950s. In a stunning demonstration of technology adoption, a decade later a vast majority of Americans had television sets, with each offering a whopping three choices of network programming.

The audience lapped up the programming, and the media companies raked in the profits for decades thereafter, serving as the arbiter of everything from fashion to politics.

We gave little thought to what scholars call this one-to-many, top-down approach. It mirrored our respect of institutions and those (mostly white men) in charge. Besides, who could resist the likes of the Lone Ranger and the reassuring reserve of Walter Cronkite? As a southerner, I got my introduction to life in urban America via the antics of Lucy and Ethel in the Big Apple.

Mainstream Media vs. Internet and Social Media

Our generation has seen the evolution of media in our lifetimes, so we can likely differentiate between mainstream media and the firehose of content now coming at us via the internet and social media. Or maybe we’ve forgotten how it used to be. At any rate, the generations coming after us see no such distinction. It’s startling to think, in fact, that my Millennial children are of the last generation to experience and remember the modern world without the internet.

The honchos in news media, in particular, may not want to admit it, but most people no longer think of their product as an independent arbiter of what’s important – the authority on government, politics and culture that makes and breaks careers and calls balls and strikes on the topics of the day.

The venerable New York Times had 6 million subscribers as of 2020, for example, about the same number who watch the CBS Evening News every night. At the same time, The Skimm, a newsletter that began curating the day’s news 10 years ago, has a reported 7 million subscribers, and PewDiePie, a purveyor of funny videos on YouTube, has 111 million.

You can argue these are apples and oranges, but the basket is full of everything from Dragon Fruit to acai berries these days, and the mainstream news media just aren’t the freshest picks. The old saw, “The media doesn’t tell us what to think but what to think about,” likely isn’t even true anymore, at least if you’re talking about mainstream news media.

Yes, we’re plugged into media more than ever, but what we’re facing now is a different animal.

Everyone Has a Voice!

Internet adoption – as in broadband internet usage – soared from 19 percent of the population in the developed world in 2007 to virtually 100 percent 10 years later. This was an exciting time for people in my field – journalism and communication – because it meant a stark departure from the one-to-many model to a many-to-many, peer-to-peer approach in which individual citizens could be heard over the big media gatekeepers.

Researchers and academics saw a future of participatory democracy in a virtual town square where everyone could barter in the marketplace of ideas, and information could be tracked and traded in a global information economy that served all.

It hasn’t quite worked out that way. When everyone has a megaphone, it gets pretty noisy out there, and even the mainstream media, whose audiences are mostly online these days, now seem part of the problem.

Reporters and journalists are normally a bookish bunch who dress for comfort, work long hours as government watchdogs and get excited over the occasional free pizza from their notoriously cheap bosses during stakeouts of the dull (like politicians) and/or dishonest (like mob bosses or George Santos).

With all this pressure for readership, one of the six characteristics of news they learned in journalism school – conflict – has taken center stage, especially since the internet algorithm gods determined it’s the dominant value that drives “traffic,” or readership, and thus ad revenue.

So, if you are among the many who yell “media bias,” I have a lot to say on the topic (Hint: it’s not just what you disagree with), but I will concede that conflict or controversy bias in media is a real thing causing real harm.

And as I said earlier, younger people often don’t know the fundamental difference between a professional journalist paid to be fair and balanced and a blogger or influencer who spouts grievances. The latter makes us feel good by fostering confirmation bias and pushing us into information silos – unhealthy trends for a well-informed society. (These folks were never forced by technology’s limitations to watch Walter Cronkite, remember?)

What’s a Media Consumer to Do?

Writers on this topic like Amanda Ripley and Jennifer Rubin have recently advised even journalists to pull back from the daily onslaught. They are opinion writers, but believe me, they are the epitome of media literate.

Be Media Literate

You don’t need to be at that level, but it helps to understand the media landscape a bit and the motivations of journalists and their employers. No matter what the haters say, most professional journalists train and work hard to serve their audience while facing pressure to get clicks in companies with a profit motive but also a responsibility to the public good.

Stories are vetted carefully, especially now, when everyone has something to say about them. (For a primer, see She Said, the new movie about how two New York Times reporters got the Harvey Weinstein story.)

Yes, being media literate – knowing the trajectory of media through history and understanding the negativity bias, the financial pressures and the difference between the agendas of journalists protecting the First Amendment and others exploiting it – takes a little knowledge and a bit of work. But it may help you survive your daily in-box and social media feeds with more sanity.

In practical terms, I do believe journalism will change in ways that resonate more with readers and viewers – such as offering solutions to problems and less ego-driven “breaking news” – as the current model continues to falter financially.

Find Journalists Who Maintain Professional Conduct

In the meantime, my advice is to zero in on those mainstream professional journalism outlets that serve you best, then slowly build your stable of newsletters and social media commentators who speak to your views and interests in an intelligent way.

And be aware of the distinction between news, which deals with factual information (not “alternative facts” ala Kellyanne Conway) and columns or opinion. Paying for useful and informative writing furthers the cause, but be ready to drop whoever seems to be trying to “trigger” you.

Don’t Depend on Friends’ Choices

At this stage of the internet and social media, you’re savvy enough to branch out beyond what your friends share and make your own choices.

One thing I’m trying now is an RSS feed. Rather than being manipulated by algorithms, which are designed to raise your blood pressure and get you hooked, you control the content flow. The content can be read and seen via an RSS app such as Feedly, FlipBoard and NewsBlur, and your email is spared.

RSS was a popular form of reader aggregation in the mid-2000s but took a backseat once “sharing” on social media apps like Twitter surged in popularity. RSS apps (RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication) are now easily downloaded on your phone and take just minutes to set up.

Media Literacy Should Be Taught at School

My hope for the future is that our institutions of education, from kindergarten to graduate school, will see how important media literacy is and incorporate more of it in their curricula. Resources are everywhere – the News Literacy Project and the Pew Research Center among them.

In the not-too-distant future, there will be few left who understand the trajectory from Huntley and Brinkley to Cheddar News (and print newspapers will be a novelty), but I’m optimistic that it won’t matter because we’ll understand that as individuals we need to vet our information diet as carefully as we do anything else we consume.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What does “media bias” mean in your mind? Do you give much thought to how journalists work? How do you tame your in-box and decide what to read or consume?

Rachel Fuda’s Light Pink Confessional Dress

Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 13 Episode 2 Fashion

Rachel Fuda is ready to spill some tea, stylishly, in her light pink, one shoulder, leather confessional dress. And I’m ready to confess that I like her young, fun style so far because it’s all really hit LaMarque the mark.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to Shop her LaMarque x Revolve Corey Dress in Many Colors

Originally posted at: Rachel Fuda’s Light Pink Confessional Dress

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

One of my favorite ways of discovering effective beauty products is easily through TikTok—countless finds have been vetted by creators on the platform (including Hailey Bieber herself) from “weird foundations” to $5 mascaras that have sold out at multiple retailers. Plenty of beauty brands have been featured on the app more than once, including Versed Skincare’s affordable offerings; the brand carries a ton of popular targeted treatments that effectively conquer concerns.

The Versed Vacation Eyes Brightening Gel consistently graces the TikTok algorithm, and we can easily understand why. The eye gel immediately cools and calms stressed-out skin, giving tired eyes a much-needed refreshing effect. While you may experience a slight tightening feeling across the delicate area, it’s just coffee seed extract boosting circulation and removing excess fluid. In addition, a trio of brightening heroes (vitamin C, ginseng root extract and niacinamide) come to the rescue to de-puff and vanish dark circles. 

Right now, score 10 percent off orders $40+ with code LONGWKND10 and 15 percent off orders $80+ with code LONGWKND15. There’s no better time to snag a brightening gel (alongside other hot sellers from the brand) than this weekend.

Versed

Versed Vacation Eyes Brightening Eye Gel

From its lightweight, fast-absorbing texture to the product’s cooling sensation that’s perfect for early mornings, reviewers can’t get enough of the $18 eye gel. As one person put it, “Totally thought a gel would be too thick but boy was I wrong. It’s so cool and soothing upon application and my skin drinks it up,” they commented. “Definitely notice hydration and brightness. Makes me look like I’ve had a great night’s sleep even when I haven’t!”

A second reviewer who typically sticks with cream-based eye treatments was also pleasantly surprised by the gel’s consistency. “This is such a lightweight texture that absorbs super fast which I enjoy and it’s now a staple in my a.m. routine,” they wrote. “What I love the most is that it has helped to tremendously reduce the amount of oil production on my eyelids (I live in a very humid environment and oiliness is my main struggle, especially in this area).”

RELATED: TikTokers Swear This Serum Is The Perfect Dupe For Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter—& It’s Included in This Rare Discount

While the eye gel is a perfectly suitable base for makeup applications, the brand advises letting the product sit for at least a minute before diving in. Plus, allowing that tightening effect to take place will prep the area wonderfully for concealer overtop. Another tip from Versed? “Don’t forget to tap, tap, tap this eye gel from inner corners to temples when applying to help facilitate that drainage.” 

TikTok is no stranger to causing product sell-outs, so we’d advise getting a move on to secure your own Versed Vacation Eyes Brightening Gel before you’re stuck on the waitlist.

Do you know what is the # 1 challenge people face when decluttering their home? Getting started.

How about the # 2 challenge people face when decluttering their home? Well, that would be staying motivated.

Congratulations if you found the courage to take those first steps to start decluttering your home so that:

• Your kids won’t have to clean out your home when you’re gone.
• You can prepare for a new life and starting over when you retire.
• You can finally start to enjoy a simpler life with less stuff and less clutter.

Think of it this way:

• You were successful at starting your decluttering journey because you took the time to create a vision for the life you want after you’ve decluttered.
• You also took the time to create a decluttering plan, and a timeline to accomplish your goals.
• You already started to see the fruits of your efforts in the areas you’ve decluttered.

You were on a roll! WERE on a roll… past tense!

Losing Motivation

What happened to your motivation and that strong, seemingly unstoppable drive to declutter your home once and for all?

Why are you suddenly resisting, procrastinating, and finding every imaginable excuse not to dedicate your time to decluttering?

Why did your “can do” mindset revert back to the old “can’t do” way of thinking?

What you may not have anticipated or planned for was the possibility that at some point you might hit roadblocks, lose momentum, and experience bouts of self-doubt.

Having tried and failed many times before, you truly believed that this time you could do it!

And the fact of the matter is, you did accomplish quite a bit of your decluttering… you are half way there!

But when self-doubt and negative self-talk started, you got overwhelmed again at the daunting task you still had ahead of you. Even the best laid plans and aspirations of a clutter-free home now seem like a distant dream.

The Messy Middle

If this has happened to you, know that you are not alone. As a matter fact, I would venture to say it happens to all of us at one time or another because the “messy middle” is where the going gets tough.

We’re human.

We lose that initial excitement, enthusiasm, and drive to reach the finish line.

We stop telling ourselves we can, and instead, begin telling ourselves, “We can’t,” “It’s too hard,” “It’s impossible” – and then, we quit.

When you think about it, this same mind game of “can” and “can’t” applies to just about anything else in life, we try to accomplish, be it losing weight, learning a new skill, or training for a marathon.

Getting Stuck Happens to All of Us

It’s not unusual to take one step forward, and then two steps back. So how DO you pick yourself up and dust yourself off, so you can start all over again?

Why WOULD you stop now if you are already halfway there… or even a tenth of the way there?

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “If you believe you can, you’re halfway there!”

The first step to achieving a goal is to start believing you can succeed. So, if you are truly committed to accomplishing your decluttering goals, and if you truly want to re-ignite that fire, your drive, and determination to succeed, follow these 10 simple steps.

10 Simple Steps to Get Started and Stay Motivated on Your Decluttering Journey

1. Deeply Connect with Why You Want to Declutter

What is the main reason you want to declutter your home? This reason goes deep to your core… it can even make you cry.

Examples:

• You don’t want to leave your kids with the enormous emotional task of cleaning out your stuff when you pass away like you had to go through when your parents died.
• You dream of a new “lighter” lifestyle when you retire, one that won’t weigh you down, one that lets you experience a freedom you haven’t known in years… and one that gives you more flexibility, mobility, and much less responsibility.

2. Recommit to Your Vision for Life After Decluttering

Take time to create a vision board that paints a vivid picture of what your life will be like once you are free of clutter.

Be specific. Put it in a place where you see it each morning, let it inspire you, get you excited about the new lifestyle you will have.

Examples:

• More time, energy, and freedom to start checking off adventures on your bucket list with your spouse, your significant other, or your girlfriends.
• Weekly play dates with your grandchildren while they are still young enough to enjoy being with you.

3. Acknowledge You Got Off Track

Admit that you’ve lost enthusiasm, but you don’t want it to impact your decluttering goals. Identify one or two things that might have contributed to getting off track.

Examples:

• Emotional impact of decluttering family photos.
• Physical exhaustion, trying to do it yourself.
• Negative feedback from family and friends.

4. Celebrate Your Wins Both Big and Small

Acknowledge yourself for the progress you’ve made even if it feels like a drop in the bucket. Reminding yourself of those “wins” will inspire you and motivate you to get started once again.

Take time to recall what worked before, why you were able to accomplish your goal of decluttering in at least a few of the areas before you got stuck.

Example:

Was there a specific decluttering method that you were able to fit into your daily routine? For example, the burst method that might have allowed you to accomplish 15 to 30 minutes of decluttering each day.

If you’re looking for decluttering advice, subscribe to Rita’s YouTube Channel where she shares tips and best decluttering practices!

5. Identify When You Started to Lose Interest in Decluttering and When You Began to Get Off Track

Examples;

Naysayers

People in your life who discouraged you and did not support you in achieving your decluttering goals.

Emotional Triggers

Things that triggered strong emotion and memories, both good and bad, that took you out of the game (family photos, love letters, deceased spouse’s clothing).

Distractions

Devices or technology that took your attention away from decluttering, causing you to lose focus, stole time from the task at hand, and negatively impacted your momentum and productivity (social media, the Internet, phone calls).

6. Have a Step-By-Step Plan in Place for Overcoming Obstacles and Setbacks When They Occur

Create a plan that includes the following:

• Review your vision board and goals daily.
• Remind yourself of why decluttering matters so much to you.
• Reduce overwhelm by calling a friend who supports you, take a weekend off from decluttering.
• Start by decluttering a small but high impact area that bothers you the most.
• Embrace imperfection. Decluttering is messy, not perfect.
• Alternate decluttering methods. (Burst method, category, method, room by room method.)
• Track weekly progress, take “before” and “after” pictures.
• Score quick wins. (One shelf, one drawer, one closet.)

Take care of yourself, smile, try to enjoy the journey!

7. Reframe Your Thinking from “Can’t” to “Can”

Identify your negative self-talk patterns: “I can’t. I’ll just fail again. It’s too hard!”

Every time you hear yourself being negative, smack it back down like a “Whack Amole.” Immediately reframe, those negative thoughts into positive and useful thoughts, such as “I can succeed. I will succeed. I want this so badly that it’s worth the hard work.”

Take a deep breath each time you hear something negative. Break the cycle of negative self-talk by being patient with yourself. It takes time. Doing this will eventually become a habit, so you will no longer be controlled by negative thoughts that take you off track.

8. Surround Yourself with People Who Believe in You and Will Support You

Engage a team of people who will be accountability partners, who will support you in good times and in bad, and who will help you stay on track. They will be there to celebrate your wins and help you get back in the game when you face setbacks.

9. Stay in the Moment

Focus on the one thing that you are working on right now. (One drawer, one shelf, one closet.) Complete that task before moving onto the next. Progress begets progress.

10. Have Some Fun While You Are Decluttering

Yes, decluttering is hard work both physically and mentally, but clutter didn’t accumulate overnight, so it’s not going away overnight. It’s a journey that will take time. Discover ways to have fun along the way.

Examples:

• Invite a few friends over for a decluttering party. Work for a few hours, then enjoy a nice dinner and wine together. Share funny stories about the process.
• Have fun watching things disappear from your driveway when you put a large “FREE STUFF” sign next to your discarded items.
• Play your favorite music, listen to an audiobook, or enjoy a podcast you’ve been waiting to listen to. Learn and have fun while you declutter.

If you have tried to declutter your home, but got off track, and if you’ve lost that energy and motivation to go the distance, don’t give up.

Start believing you can and you’re halfway there!

As challenging as the decluttering journey might be, you will learn so much about yourself along the way, and when you look back, you’ll say it was worth every minute!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you gotten off track in your decluttering project? What made you lose motivation? Are you ready to get back to it?