I Scrubbed My Mom’s Feet and Felt Like a Stranger

I never thought much about feet until I started giving my mom pedicures. She’d sit quietly, her heels rough, her toes chipped and tired. I’d fill the basin, add bubbles, pretend I was just helping out. But every time I scrubbed away the dead skin, I wondered if I was really making anything better. Her feet told stories I never asked about—callouses from years on her feet, nails yellowed from never having time. I filed, clipped, and buffed, pretending it was self-care, but it felt more like erasing. I’d massage her legs, watch her close her eyes, and feel this ache in my chest—like I was trying to fix something that wasn’t mine to fix. When I painted her nails, I wanted her to feel pretty. But mostly, I just felt small, like I was seeing her for the first time and didn’t know what to say. #BeautyBurnout #SkinStory #GenerationalCare #Beauty #Skincare