When I was 13 years old, my mom had me start getting facials in

Hearken, O children of tomorrow, and consider the words of Meghan Markle, who reflected upon the tender guidance of her youth: “When I was 13 years old, my mom had me start getting facials in my hometown of Los Angeles.” Though these words speak of outward care and ritual, they conceal deeper truths about the nurturing of the self, the foresight of a parent, and the sacred responsibility of tending both body and spirit from an early age. Even in matters of appearance, wisdom whispers of preparation, discipline, and self-respect.

Consider the meaning: at the age of thirteen, Meghan stood upon the threshold of adolescence, a time of transformation and awakening. Her mother’s guidance was not mere vanity; it was a lesson in the cultivation of self, an invitation to awareness, care, and responsibility. The act of receiving facials symbolizes more than skin deep beauty—it reflects the ancient principle of tending to one’s vessel, nurturing the temple that houses the mind, heart, and soul. To care for oneself is to honor the life one has been given, preparing for the trials, joys, and challenges that lie ahead.

This practice finds its echoes in history. Consider Cleopatra, the queen of the Nile, whose baths, oils, and rituals were famed across the world. Yet these acts were not mere indulgence; they were acts of preparation, of self-discipline, and of presentation, enabling her to carry herself with dignity, influence, and confidence. From her example, we learn that attention to the self—even in seemingly small or aesthetic ways—prepares one to face life’s stages with strength, composure, and grace.

Meghan’s experience also speaks to the guidance of a parent, a timeless theme. Her mother recognized the power of early instruction, of teaching practices that shape both habits and attitudes. In the lives of the ancients, parents trained their children in arts, letters, and manners, believing that the careful cultivation of skills and character in youth bore the fruits of excellence in adulthood. Facials, in this modern context, become a form of ritualized education, a way to instill the values of care, patience, and attention to oneself.

Yet there is also a lesson of prevention and foresight embedded here. Just as the ancients prepared for winters and the trials of the body through diet, exercise, and meditation, so too does Meghan’s early regimen teach that mindful habits established early protect and empower for years to come. Care is not only for the present moment but also for the decades ahead, a bridge connecting youth to maturity with grace intact.

Beyond the act itself lies a more subtle teaching: the nurturing of confidence and self-worth. By learning to tend to her skin, Meghan also learned to recognize her own value, to cultivate patience, and to develop a relationship with herself that respects both limits and potential. In this, we see the timeless truth: the smallest rituals, when performed with care and intention, shape character and fortitude, preparing the soul to face the world with composure and poise.

From this, let us draw guidance: attend to yourselves, not in vanity alone, but as a practice of respect and preparation. Begin habits early that nurture your mind, body, and spirit. Teach your children, as Meghan’s mother did, that care is not selfish but sacred, a foundation for confidence, resilience, and wisdom. Small daily actions carry the weight of centuries of tradition, echoing lessons of foresight, self-discipline, and love.

Finally, carry Meghan Markle’s insight into your own life: honor the guidance of those who teach you, cultivate rituals that sustain and empower, and recognize that true beauty arises from discipline, care, and awareness. In this balance of nurture and self-respect, of preparation and presence, we find a timeless path—one that allows each generation to step forward with dignity, confidence, and the quiet strength born of mindful attention.