Diamond Dots & The No-Excuse Glow-Up
People always ask me, “Lynette, how the hell do you have time for everything?”
Between the spa where I do massage, skincare, and head treatments, my medically fragile clients, my wellness partnerships with Ellie MD and Glow Getter, my daily Weird Shit blog, and my memoir/short stories launching on Substack (currently with the editor!), my life is a lot.
The truth is, I make time!
The financial struggle is still real — I’m right in the middle of it — but I’m building my way out. Multiple streams, big ideas, and a whole lot of grit. I’m choosing myself, I’m choosing positive energy, and I’m passionate about everything I’m building.
But that doesn’t mean it isn’t a total shit show.
Today was the perfect example.
The Morning ADHD Whirlwind
The day kicked off at 9:00 AM with my first client. I got my glow protocol in me and rushed out the door.
On the ride back home, I was having all these amazing, brilliant creative thoughts — and by the time I pulled into the driveway, I couldn’t remember a single one of them.
Go figure.
I sat down to work on the behind-the-scenes stuff for my website and online booking updates. I’m restructuring my services and pricing right now, and my website has needed some attention for a while. So I started a checklist to hold my own ass accountable and tackle one thing at a time.
Of course, I lost track of time and suddenly realized I had five minutes to get my ass to my pedicure.
Peptides, Pins, and Pedicures
I will not miss my pedicures.
My poor feet need them. They help keep my ingrown toenails under control, and my pedicure lady is amazing. We have the best conversations. It’s my little slice of “me time.”
After being sick for a week and then overbooking the last two weeks to fit everyone in, I needed a moment to just breathe.
Right before leaving, I did my weekly wellness injection.
Lately I’ve been focusing on routines that support my energy, my skin, and my overall health. For me personally, the difference has been noticeable. The brain fog feels lighter, my skin looks happier, and something strange has been happening lately — I actually catch myself looking in the mirror. I never used to do that. Now everywhere I go, I’ll catch a glimpse of myself and think, “Damn… there I am.” After everything I’ve been through, that feels pretty incredible.
That alone is a glow-up.
The Retainer Walk of Shame & The Shower Stand-Off
After the pedicure I realized, “Oh shit… I gotta go grab my retainers.” I just got my Invisalign off last week, so I swung by to pick them up. When I went to grab them, the woman at the desk made me feel really weird and awkward — like I was just some goofy old lady picking up her retainers. You know that feeling.
I got home and kept meaning to take a shower… but it still hadn’t happened.
Instead, my ADHD brain kicked in. The house smelled like Son, and it’s been almost three weeks since I was really sick. Between being down for the count and then working like crazy to make up for it, I hadn’t had the time or energy to clean.
But suddenly I had a little bit of energy again.
So what did I do?
I grabbed the vacuum and started going to town on the house like a madwoman.
That’s when it hit me.
I looked at the clock and realized I had 15 minutes before I had to leave for my second client — a medically fragile guy I’ve seen for years.
Which meant I still hadn’t showered.
I ditched the vacuum immediately and somehow managed a miracle shower with minutes to spare before running out the door.
The $8.85 Cosmic Wink
On the way to my afternoon client, I stopped at Caribou.
My coffee total came to $8.85.
That’s my birthday.
I don’t really believe in coincidences anymore. Life throws little winks like that sometimes.
When the woman handed me my coffee, she paused and said, “Your tattoos are beautiful.”
That’s been happening a lot lately. I’ve had these tattoos for years, but over the last three weeks people keep pointing them out and asking if they’re new.
They’re not new at all.
But now the blues are popping more and my skin looks healthier, so suddenly everyone notices them.
I’m not used to that kind of attention, but I’ll take it.
Maybe when you start changing from the inside out, people start seeing you differently too.
The “Diamond Dot” Defense
The drive home from that client was the icing on today’s weird-shit cake. It’s snowing. My car still has no heat. And honestly, I just needed someone to talk to. So I called my mom.
She didn’t answer at first, but she called me back a few minutes later. When she did, the TV was so damn loud I couldn’t hear a thing.
I finally said, “Mom, I’m sorry for bothering you. Never mind. I’ll deal with it myself. I can’t hear a licking thing — I can’t even hear myself think. If you can’t walk away from the TV to talk to me, we don’t need to talk.”
She said, “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. I’ll go to my bedroom so I can listen to you.” So I started venting.
About everything that’s been happening. The business, the chaos, the pressure, trying to hold everything together.
My mom kept saying, “Oh that’s too bad… I’m so sorry… I wish I could help you.”
Finally I said, “Mom, you’re my mom. I’m calling just to talk. There’s nothing you can do to fix these problems. Aren’t you supposed to be able to call your mom and just talk about life sometimes? Isn’t that what you do with your mom and your sister?”
I told her, “I don’t have those options. I’m trying to create that with you, but you keep stopping it. Sometimes I just need you to listen.”
Then I explained what would actually help. Helping with the house sometimes. Helping with Evan.
Evan is incredibly smart, but he’s defiant with me. When another adult shows up — like a body double — he suddenly does what needs to be done. My mom had said that once she retired she would help with things like that.
Even just showing up once a week would take a huge amount of pressure off my plate.
That’s when she said it. “I’m just doing my Diamond Dots and I don’t know how to help you. I’m still transitioning into retirement.”
I was like, “Are you serious right now? You need to stop with these excuses. You’re the one who said that after you retired you would help with these things. You’ve been retired for almost two months. Now you’re telling me you don’t know how to help me when I’m literally telling you exactly how you can help me.”
I even offered to pay her for her time.
So I asked her: “Would you like one day in my life?”
She laughed and said: “Fuck no. I couldn’t handle it.”
And I said: “Then please stop with the excuses. I don’t want to hear them.”
In the past, I would have shrunk myself to make other people comfortable.
Not anymore.
If I say something, I mean it.
I’m showing up fully as myself — and if someone can’t keep up, they can step aside.
The 5:37 PM Inbox Bomb
I got home, started the laundry, and began sorting through the nonstop stream of DMs, emails, and texts that come with running multiple businesses.
Then at 5:37 PM I got an email saying my son’s entire social worker team and agency had changed.
No warning. No transition. Just… surprise. More bureaucracy to navigate.
Welcome to the life of a business owner and a mom to a quirky, amazing kid.
Why I Do It
Even with the “House of Son” smells, the laundry mountain, and the broken car heater, I know exactly why I’m here.
My time with my special-needs clients is priceless.
Watching a body finally relax… Seeing someone giggle when they can’t communicate any other way…That’s the real glow-up.
The Sweetest Ending to the Day
Just when I thought the day couldn’t surprise me anymore, my 7:30 client brought a friend with him tonight to show him what we do. Watching him proudly share the space and the work we’ve built together absolutely melted my heart. Moments like that remind me why I keep going, even on the craziest days. The connection, the trust, and the little victories mean more than anything.
My self-care stays at number one so I can handle all of this and still laugh through it.
Life is beautiful. Nothing is impossible. You just have to get creative and enjoy the ride.
If your nervous system needs a place to exhale, I offer trauma-informed massage, head spa treatments, and holistic skin care at 888 Spa in Apple Valley, Minnesota.
