I struggled with intense acne for 3 long years in high school.

During that time, Western pimple commercials eroded my self-worth in 30-second increments.

Here is the story and what it means for practicing self-improvement without judging yourself.

Time for a thread! 👇👇👇

The arc of the pimple commercials was always the same:

1. Guy with pimples hides from his crush

2. Someone tells him he's ugly

3. There's a party

4. Someone recommends some skincare product

5. Guy uses product, goes to party, kisses the girl

Ex:

The message this reinforced to people for whom the product didn't work (aka me) was also always the same:

As long as you have acne, the other sex won't be interested in you, so don't bother.

It's a pattern deeply embedded in Western culture:

Find a flaw, worry about it, try a quick fix. If it doesn't work, go back to worrying.

Repeat this cycle until you find an even bigger inadequacy.

This may lead to some improvement, but it inevitably leads to self-loathing.

Now, let me present to you: Japanese skincare ads. They don't target teenagers.

Pimples aren't a flaw to be overcome, just a part of life.

"If you take care of your skin, acne might happen but won't ruin your day."

That's the message.

Ex:

Ray Kroc died in 1984. That year, McDonald's made $9.5 billion in revenue.

Personal net worth? $600 million, about $1.5 billion today.

Kroc grew McDonald's into a brand everyone in the world recognizes, and he started with just one question...

Time for a thread! 👇👇👇

In 1954, Ray was a milkshake salesman. Business wasn't exactly booming.

One day, he called his secretary from the road. To his surprise, someone had ordered six five-milkshake mixers.

Who needed to mix 30 milkshakes at a time?

Ray thought: "What if that's wrong?"

He called the restaurant. The owner was terse.

"What? Six mixers? Yes, that's us. Actually, make it eight! Gotta go!"

Now, Ray was even more confused.

Once again, he thought: "What if that's wrong?"

He decided to drive to the place himself. After a 26-hour drive, he got to San Bernardino.

What he saw was a long queue and people standing around in the parking lot, munching on their burgers.

When he got the front window, Ray ordered a burger, a Coke, and fries.

The cashier returned the food right with his change.

Ray said: "No no, that's wrong! I just ordered!"

And the cashier said: "Yeah, and now, you're food is here."